Endocrine Disruptors
Have you heard of endocrine disruptors before? I feel like this is a term that gets thrown around and we think we know what it means, but honestly, we really don’t understand the intricacies of it all.
You may remember learning in biology class that our bodies are run by a network of hormones and glands that regulate everything we do. This network is called the Endocrine System.
A lot of times, people think about the endocrine system in terms of just the sex hormones, puberty, and that time of the month. But the endocrine system actually plays a role in all phases of development, metabolism, and behavior. It is a delicate system of checks and balances and our bodies work really hard to keep it in balance.
And most of us have endocrine systems that are all kinds of jacked up. Sorry, but it’s true.
Unfortunately, our world is filled with junk that can throw our delicate systems out of whack pretty easily. Synthetic chemicals in products like plastics and fragrances can mimic hormones and interfere with or disrupt the endocrine balance. These are known as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDC’s). We’re exposed to these chemicals daily, and we’re especially vulnerable to them during phases of critical development, such as development in the womb and growing children.
So what can we do? Lots of things, which is really good news.
Tips to avoid EDC’s:
- Wash your hands, especially before eating! Try to avoid antibacterial soaps as well as fragrances and dyes in your soaps.
- Dust and vacuum often-many products come with flame retardants and it gathers in your household dust as well.
- Avoid anything with fragrance unless it’s scented with essential oils. This includes: soaps, detergents, “scented” cat litters, air fresheners, candles, and the list goes on and on.
- Avoid plastics as much as possible as they contain phytates (an EDC). Use glass or metal containers to store food, swap plastic bags for paper or reusable containers that aren’t plastic.
- Avoid canned foods as much as possible. Food cans are often lined with BPA. Choose foods that are fresh or frozen as much as possible. Or look for cans with the BPA free label.
- Watch what you eat! Choose whole foods over processed, organic when possible, and always wash your produce thoroughly to avoid pesticides.
- Filter your water and avoid plastic bottles.
- Avoid kids’ cosmetics, soaps, bath crayons, and paints. These are often dyed and use fragrances to appeal to kids, making them less safe.
- Use safe cleaning products that aren’t air pollutants such as vinegar, baking soda, and microfiber cloths, or buy from companies dedicated to providing safer options.
- Speak out and VOTE with your dollar! Advocate to representatives to change the laws and provide more transparency to consumers. Don’t buy the products that contain EDC’s and choose the alternatives so people start to listen!
Need help making product selections, choosing skincare for you or your family or picking a color that will work with your skin tone? I’m here to help you choose safer, even if that means non-Beautycounter products. I want to educate you about clean products.
Simply email me for 1:1 help anytime.
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