Hormones and Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals; Top Five Actions to Avoid These Damaging EDC's
The Endocrine System
Because the endocrine system controls many different body functions, endocrine dysfunction can contribute to a range of illnesses potentially affecting every organ system of the body.
The endocrine system is a network of glands and organs that keep our bodies in balance. The main function of the endocrine system is to produce, store and secrete hormones important for growth and development.
Our immune systems work closely with organs and systems in our bodies to attack foreign invaders and dispel them through our systems. The immune system and the endocrine system work closely together to rid the body of these foreign invaders. Any disruption of the immune system consequently could lead to disruptions in the function of our endocrine system.
What Are Endocrine Disruptors?
Endocrine disruptors refer to foreign substances like pesticides and toxins that enter our bodies and have the ability to disrupt how our cells or organs communicate via our hormones. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDC’s) are substances that can be either naturally occurring or man-made chemicals that enter our systems via food we eat, water we drink, cosmetics we use or air we breathe— that work to mimic or interfere with the function of our hormones. They may disrupt our hormones by turning on, turning off, or modifying signals that our hormones use to communicate with other parts of the body.
Because the immune system is strictly controlled by the hormones released from various organs like the thymus, lymph nodes, bone marrow and skin (among others), these endocrine disrupting chemicals can significantly disturb both the balance (homeostasis) and the function of our immune systems via interference with signaling, secretion, metabolism or communication from hormones. Some of the factors that affect endocrine organs include aging, certain diseases and conditions, stress, the environment, and genetics. In this post, we’re mostly concerned with endocrine disruptors from the environment.
Quick Primer: The Hormone Producing Glands:
Hypothalamus: responsible for body temp, hunger, moods and the release of hormones from other glands; and also controls thirst, sleep and sex drive.
Pituitary: “master gland” that controls other glands and makes the hormones that trigger growth.
Parathyroid: controls the amount of calcium in the body.
Pancreas: produces the insulin that helps control blood sugar levels.
Thyroid: produces hormones associated with calorie burning and heart rate.
Adrenal: produce the hormones that control sex drive and cortisol, the stress hormone.
Pineal: produces melatonin which affects sleep.
Ovaries: secrete estrogen, testosterone and progesterone, the female sex hormones.
Testes: produce the male sex hormone testosterone, and produce sperm.
The Hormone-Producing Glands
Hypothalamus (brain and sensory info, involved in pituitary function)
Pituitary (brain) “master gland”
Thyroid (front of neck below adams apple) converts iodine to produce T3 & T4 hormone
Pancreas (gut) glucagon and insulin control blood sugar
Adrenal (gut/kidney) adrenaline and cortisol
Pineal (brain) melatonin
Sex glands (estrogen and testosterone)
Research in both animals and humans have linked endocrine disrupting chemicals with developmental, reproductive, neural, immune, and other problems resulting in reduced fertility and increased incidences or progression of obesity, diabetes, endometriosis, and some cancers.
At least 121 pesticides have been identified for endocrine-disrupting properties, damaging hormone signaling and communication, and potentially resulting in disease. Many chemicals have endocrine-disrupting properties, including bisphenol A, some organochlorines, flame retardants, perfluorinated substances, alkylphenols, phthalates, pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, alkylphenols, solvents, and some household products including some cleaning products, air fresheners, hair dyes, cosmetics, and sunscreens. Even some metals were shown to have endocrine-disrupting properties.
diseases & disorders associated with EDC exposure
Here is a partial list:
Fertility problems in men and women
Early puberty
Early reproductive senescence (aging of reproductive organs)
Increases in mammary, ovarian and prostate cancers
Increases in autoimmune and neurogenerative diseases
Obesity and Diabetes
Endometriosis and FIbroids
Top 5 Actions to Avoid EDC’s
Endocrine disruptors can be quite stable, meaning they can stick around for long periods of time in the air, water, soil, and even within our bodies.
Avoid pesticide exposure at home or on the job. Examples of pesticides that damage the thyroid include Aldrin, DDT, and insecticide Lindane, Chlordane (organochlorine), Benomyl and fungicides Maneb/Mancozeb, and herbicide Paraquat.
Avoiding soy based foods and eat organic. Phytoestrogens are naturally occurring substances in plants that have hormone-like activity. Phytoestrogens genistein and daidzein can be found in soy-derived products and should be avoided. Eating organic will decrease exposure to harmful pesticides and other chemical preservatives.
Use glass storage containers, avoid storing food and drinks in plastic. Bispenol-A (BPA) is a chemical produced used primarily in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins.
Drink filtered water. EDC’s like arsenic, dioxins, mercury, metals, lead, estrogen/estrodial, perchlorate, phtalates trihalomethane, atrazine and pesticides have turned up in water samples over decades.
Check labels on personal care products and cosmetics. There are more than 80,000 chemicals on the market today. Many don't have any safety data. This is particularly true of those used in the skin care and beauty industry. The Beautycounter brand publishes its Never List which lists 17 or so chemicals it vows to never use in its beauty and skincare products.
Bibliography & resources
Yu J. Endocrine disorders and the neurologic manifestations. Ann Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. 2014;19(4):184-190. doi:10.6065/apem.2014.19.4.184
Environmental Agents. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/index.cfm. Accessed August 18, 2019.
De Coster S, van Larebeke N. Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals: Associated Disorders and Mechanisms of Action. Journal of Environmental and Public Health. doi:10.1155/2012/713696
Fudvoye J, Lopez-Rodriguez D, Franssen D, Parent A-S. Endocrine disrupters and possible contribution to pubertal changes. Best Practice & Research Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. July 2019:101300. doi:10.1016/j.beem.2019.101300
Shelby MD. NTP-CERHR monograph on the potential human reproductive and developmental effects of bisphenol A. NTP CERHR MON. 2008;(22):v, vii-ix, 1-64 passim.
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/