Endocrine Disruptors

Endocrine disruptors
Photo by La Tartine Gourmande. Courtesy of Joost J. Bakker IJmuiden, Flickr.com

What are endocrine disruptors and how do they affect fertility?

endocrine disruptors are chemicals which can cause changes in the hormone system of people and animals. They can cause sexual development problems, feminization of males and masculinization of females. Any system in he body which is controlled by hormones can be damaged by endocrine disruptors. These chemicals interfere with the creation, release, transport, action and elimination of natural hormones in the body. As a result they can change the normal course of development, affect behavior, fertility.

Endocrine disruptors are a recent topic in scientific papers. The term was coined at the Wingspread conference Center in Wisconsin in 1991. It was discussed by Theo Colborn in 1993 in her research paper. She states that environmental chemicals disrupt the development of the hormone system and often the effects of these chemicals during the development of a child can be permanent. Endocrine disruptors can affect male and female reproduction, breast development and cancer, metabolism and obesity, the neural system and the heart. What compounds are endocrine disruptors? endocrine disruptors are a wide range of compounds, including drugs, pesticides, plastic, industrial by-products and pollutants, as well as naturally produces botanical chemicals. Endocrine disruptors can be very pervasive and widespread and even bio-accumulate. Some are persistent organic pollutants and can travel long distances.

The endocrine system in our body consists of glands that secrete hormones and receptors that detect and react to hormones. The endocrine system regulates adjustment of the body according tot he environmental or internal changes through a process in which the hormones act as messengers. Hormones released from the glands communicate with cells which have matching receptors. Hormones bind with receptors like a key fits into a lock. According to the information brought by the hormone, there are biochemical adjustments in the body. The internal and external chemistry of the cell changes and brings a long term change in the body.

Since hormones work at very small doses, endocrine disruption can also occur from low-dose exposure. Timing of exposure is also important. Exposure to endocrine disruptors i\during the stages of the division of the fertilized egg, can affect the development of the whole body as well as the wiring of the brain. Interference with the hormone communication in utero can affect the learning abilities, the reproductive development and can cause abnormal sexual development, motor development impairment, and learning disabilities.

Compounds which produce estrogenic, androgenic, anti androgenic and anti thyroid actions are pollutant chemicals which can cause a wide range of reproductive, developmental growth and behavior effects.

Adults might not be affected so much, but fetuses and embryos, whose growth and development are highly affected by hormones can have lasting changes in the development of their bodies, or they can suffer obvious or subtle lifelong health or reproductive abnormalities.

Endocrine disruptors mimic the natural hormones and in this way can disrupt the production of real hormones; bind with receptors in the cells and in his way disrupt the passage of natural hormones in the body, or block hormones from entering the cells even if they do not enter the cells.

Endocrine disruptors can enter the body through food, breathing of absorption through the skin.

Food is the major way in which endocrine disruptors enter the body. Diet is considered to account for up to 90% of a person's endocrine pollutants. Fish and animal products are contaminated with endocrine disruptors.

Wild and farmed salmon from all over the world contains a variety of man-made organic compounds.

Recent studies show that contaminated house dust can be also a major source of pollutants and can account up to 82% of our body burden with endocrine disruptors.

Types of endocrine disruptors

endocrine disruptors are found in thousands of products, that's why everyone of us is exposed to chemicals with estrogenic effects.

Commonly detected chemicals are

DDT -- dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane -- is used against Colorado potato beetles, and then against mosquitoes, lice, household flies. DDT interferes with reproductive development. It can inhibit the proper development of female reproductive organs. It can also lead to decrease in fertility in males. Exposure to DDT in utero can increase the risk of childhood obesity.

polychlorinated biphenyl's (PCB's) are used in industrial coolants and lubricants. They are created by heating benzene with chlorine. It is toxic to the liver nd thyroid and can lead to cancer.

bisphenol A (BPA) is commonly found in plastic bottles, plastic containers, dental materials, the linings of metal food and infant formula cans, receipt paper at grocery stores. Animals in laboratory settings exposed to this have lower sperm count, reproductive problems, obesity and neurological problems. Nalgene, Playtex and Wal-Mart agreed to remove this substance from their products. The national Toxicology Program at the National Institute of Health and the FDA have concerns about the possible effects of BPA on the brain and behavior of fetuses, infants and young children.

polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE's) are a class of compounds found in flame retardants used in plastic cases of computers, televisions, electronics, carpets, lighting, clothing, car components, foam cushions, and other. They have neurotoxic effects. These compounds can lead to developmental and behavioral problems in young children.

Phthalates are found in some soft toys, flooring, medical equipment, cosmetics and air refresheners. They can cause birth defects in male reproductive system. California and Europe have banned them from toys. Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), used in medical tubing, catheters and blood bags, may harm sexual development in male infants. In laboratory settings, young male animals exposed to DEHP had suffered effects on the development of the reproductive system and the production of normal sperm. It can also disrupt the masculine neurological development when exposed prenatally.

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) can effect the semen quality and the brest maturation in young girls. It is also associated with increased time to pregnancy in 2009 study.

There is evidence that once a pollutant is not used, the human body burden of that pollutant declines. So it makes sense, to create a program for cleansing your body from pollutants.

It is impossible to live now in an environment which free from endocrine disruptors and estrogenic chemicals, yet it is possible to go through a full body cleanse to rid your body of the pollutant burden.

Here are a few sources which might be a first step towards reducing the effect of any endocrine disruptors:

The Fertility Cleanse -- if you are trying to conceive and have not tried yet to cleanse your body, you might consider the full body cleanse with fertility cleanse.

 

Aubrey Organics -- these are organic personal hygiene products: soaps, shampoos, deodorants;

Giovanni Organic Cosmetics -- organic products for cosmetics and personal hygiene

SunOrganic -- Certified organic foods

Soap -- Organic laundry detergent

Peelu -- organic toothpaste and chewing gum without fluoride

Not all products labeled organic are really organic. So it is always good to check the ingredients which might be endocrine disruptors before you buy.

If you want to learn more about the endocrine disruptors, you can watch these documentary series:

Health Studies & Clinical Trials

 

What NIEHS is Doing on Endocrine Disruptors

General Information

 

For Educators

 

Home

Trying to Conceive [+]


Childbirth Video [-]


Childbirth Choices [-]


Pregnancy [-]


Childbirth Hypnotherapy [-]


Baby Care [-]


Pregnancy Nutrition[-]


Teen Pregnancy [-]



Blog Links Site Map Contact
Subscribe To This Site
XML RSS
Add to Google
Add to My Yahoo!
Add to My MSN
Subscribe with Bloglines

Childbirth Video Magazine!

You are invited to take a quick second and join my

Childbirth Video Magazine!

It is Absolutely FREE!

With each issue you will receive videos of:

  • Childbirth lessons
  • Natural Childbirth
  • Childbirth Stories and More!
Email

Name

Then

Don't worry -- your e-mail address is totally secure.
I promise to use it only to send you Natural Childbirth Video Magazine.