The Truth about Endocrine Disruptors

 

What do the chief of a remote indigenous tribe in Northern Quebec, a housewife in the Midwestern United States and a retired professional in Paris, France all have in common?

 

The answer? Synthetics. Recent studies of small groups of diverse volunteers (men and women) in Europe, the US and Canada showed that everyone tested had, without their knowing, absorbed a complex chemical cocktail of dozens of different synthetic substances. During testing, these substances showed up in their bodies.

 

None of the test subjects were living near a toxic dump or exhibiting any unusual behavior or disease. They were simply living normal lives in a modern era where chemicals and chemical by-products abound in the air they breathe, the water they drink, the food they eat and the means by which they work and play.

 

What’s more is that it is likely that every single human on the planet- including you and me- have varying degrees of synthetic chemicals inside our bodies as well.

 

Simply put, synthetic chemical toxins are the accumulated by-products of modern life. Breathing industrial emissions such as car exhaust, eating treated food, and using endless consumer products — plastic microwave bags, fast-food containers, nail polish, and computer casings, just to name a few— take its toll not only one the planet, but on humans as well.

 

The ABC’s of EDC’s

 

So just what are synthetic chemicals and how do they affect our bodies?

 

Of all the manmade toxins in our environment, we now realize that the most commonly-occurring chemicals may be the most dangerous. These substances are called Endocrine Disruptor Chemicals (EDC’s). EDC’s have been shown to mimic the actions of hormones when absorbed by humans and wildlife. They are used to create everyday products such as plastics, pesticides, cleansers, dyes, flame retardants and white paper, among other things.

 

EDC chemicals are a relatively recent invention and have existed only for the last 60 years or so. These substances affect us by interfering with the essential inner workings of our cells. Measuring just how dangerous they are, however, has been difficult not only because they interact in complex ways and in tiny concentrations, but also because literally every species living on the planet has had some exposure to them, often in utero. Nowadays endocrine disruptors are omnipresent in every corner of the globe. It is nearly impossible to find a group of subjects not affected by ADC’s for researchers to monitor as control groups in exposure studies.

 

To understand the importance of endocrine disruptors, let’s first take a look at the endocrine system as a whole. A woman’s endocrine system is one of the most sensitive communication networks of her body. It influences all aspects of her health and well-being, including reproductive potential, cognitive function, thyroid and metabolic function, digestion and hormonal balance. How an individual’s endocrine system reacts to EDC’s varies, but one thing is certain: never before in history have there been so many diverse, manmade and unregulated synthetics at work.

 

Coming to terms with the magnitude and reach of EDC’s can be overwhelming, but take heart. You do have some control over the situation. By giving your body the support it needs to function well, you can optimize your capacity to detoxify your body’s various organ systems. And on a larger scale, there are many simple, positive and easy things you can do to protect your family and your community from harmful substances, starting right now.

 

At Vibrant Way, we want you to be empowered and the first step is to become informed and aware!

 

The Endocrine System Defined

 

The endocrine system is made up of about a dozen glands throughout the body. These include the thyroid, pituitary, adrenal, thymus, pancreas, ovaries and testes, as well as pockets of tissue in other parts of the body. All of these glands and tissues secrete calibrated amounts of hormones into the blood stream. Hormones are chemical messengers that orchestrate many of the body’s internal functions — including cell growth, development and division. They also control how organs behave and handle communication between systems.

 

Hormone molecules or compounds travel in the bloodstream in search of other target body parts that have certain receptors on them. If this is hard to imagine, picture this: Pretend that you are a hormone molecule (you can do it!). Now imagine that you are traveling down a hallway that has many doors on either side of it. You are holding a ring of keys in your hand and a set of instructions. Your job is to find the right key for each door. When you find a fit you are to open the door, refer to your instructions and then take the appropriate action.

 

This is the journey of hormones in your body. Each hormone molecule or compound acts as a key that will fit into only certain locks. Once a hormone chances upon a corresponding door and that lock is turned, this molecule-receptor complex sends a signal inside the cell to take or halt a certain action, such as to produce a specific protein or to multiply.

 

The endocrine system is one of the three major networking systems in the body. The others are the nervous system, with its highly-specialized electrical signals, and the immune system, with its network of antibody communications. Estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, melatonin, insulin, cortisol, and thyroid hormones are just a few of the primary and secondary hormones circulating in our bodies. We now realize that all these hormones interact with each other much more than originally thought. Highly evolved release, stimulating, and feedback mechanisms operate between all these molecules and their target organs as they circulate. Scientists are also realizing that hormone–receptor complexes are more intricately developed than believed before. Researchers have also discovered that these complexes come in alternate forms (alpha and beta).

 

The significance of these findings is great. Greater hormone development and alternate hormonal forms means that there are more keys that can turn certain locks than once imagined. And as this all serves a valuable purpose in our bodies, it also makes the effects of endocrine disruption even more potentially hazardous.

 

What are Endocrine Disruptors?

 

An endocrine disruptor is a synthetic compound that mimics a natural hormone when it is absorbed by the body. It can turn on, turn off, or even change normal hormonal signals. It can have the effect of altering normal hormone levels, triggering excessive action, or completely blocking a natural response. Any other bodily function controlled by hormones can also be affected.

 

Manmade chemicals that are known or suspected to influence the endocrine system are everywhere. All those items that we just can’t live without and all the latest and greatest creams, sprays, and gadgets are made with the help of these artificial compounds. They make our plastic products softer and easier to handle, our lotions smoother and longer-lasting, and our clothes and furnishings inflammable. They are used in clothing dye (especially denim), cars and computer casings, Teflon coatings, and disinfectant bleaches. They are diffused throughout the atmosphere by the burning of industrial waste and they leach into groundwater from landfills. What’s more, some scientists are concerned because these chemicals have a tendency to biomagnify, or increase its concentration, as they pass up the food chain.

 

In humans, the natural level of circulating hormones needed to orchestrate bodily functions is relatively low. Synthetic endocrine disruptors are now being found in living tissue at dramatically higher concentrations than natural hormones. A Centers for Disease Control report from July 2005 found that the bodies of Americans of all ages contain an average of 148 synthetic chemicals.

 

But why can’t the body just neutralize these manmade chemicals? The good news is that we probably can. We have a rigorous detoxification system in place in the form of our blood, lymph, liver, kidneys, intestines, lungs, and skin. Unfortunately, however, the pace at which new chemicals are being introduced is outdistancing our body’s ability to adapt, and this is where the problem lies. Experts estimate that 40 million pounds of hormonally active chemicals are produced in this country annually, with 2,000 new varieties introduced into the market each year. Even the healthiest person alive will have trouble filtering that kind of load.

 

Because they are still a relatively recent phenomenon, there are still many unanswered questions regarding the long-term effects of endocrine disruptors on the human body. Recent studies, however, are beginning to show possible connections. Research into the link between pesticides and frog deformities, fish sex reversals, and bird infertilities is well-documented. How these effects play out in mammals is still up in the air. They seem to be highly individualized for each species and each individual within that species. Variables such as age at exposure, genetics, level and length of exposure, gender, and detox capability are all factors. That being said, we at Vibrant Way, as well as others in the nutritional and scientific field, suspect that the increase in chemical and medical sensitivities, childhood cancers, infertility rates, learning disabilities, autism and mood disorders relate in some way to the sea of endocrine disruptors we all swim in.

 

All this information can be hard to swallow, it is true. But before you buy the first ticket off this chemically-soaked planet, wait just a minute to hear the good news (yes, there is good news!). There is evidence to suggest that hormonally-active contaminants such as EDC’s do not seem to alter most people’s basic genetic blueprint, therefore making it less likely that the specific effects of EDC’s will be passed on to their children. New evidence points to epigenetic possibilities, meaning that we can pass along certain effects without actually changing our offspring’s DNA. In addition, not all genes will be expressed under all conditions — that is, some effects may only get turned on generations from now, or only under certain circumstances.

 

Natural Vs. Artificial Substances

 

Obviously, artificial compounds have an adverse effect on our body functions. But what about natural substances, such as plant estrogens, that also alter our endocrine system and our hormones? Aren’t they endocrine disruptors? Don’t they mimic estrogen? These are questions we at Vibrant Way get asked a lot.

 

Much research has shown that phytoestrogens, such as those found in soy, are not disruptive to the natural workings of the endocrine system. This is because the human body has co-evolved over time with plants. Thus, the body has learned to moderate the impact of these natural compounds through adaptogenic responses. Some plant estrogens are naturally neutralized and others are easily excreted. Most importantly, unlike synthetic compounds and heavy metals, most natural substances do not accumulate in body tissue. The half-life of a phytoestrogen is measured in minutes, while the half-life of various synthetic compounds, like DDT, can be measured in years or even decades.

 

The Most Common EDC’s

 

Let’s face it: the alpha-and-numeric soup that makes up synthetic chemicals can be quite confusing, even for those of us with a science background. Nevertheless, we thought we would list some of the major offenders below:

 

 

Endocrine Disruptors at Work in the Body and the World

 

Theo Colborn, Dianne Dumanoski and John Peterson Myers, in their book Our Stolen Future (ourstolenfuture.org), documents how synthetic chemicals are not only affecting reproduction in wildlife but are having an effect on humans as well. In addition, breast cancer activists in the early 1990’s began asking questions about these chemicals and the rising incidence of breast cancer. The answers have not come easy, but a 2006 edition of the State of the Evidence by the Breast Cancer Fund documents many connections between environmental toxins and breast cancer.

 

Labeling these potent chemicals as simply “disruptors” may be an understatement not only because of their ubiquitous nature but also because their effects can be quite insidious. While early on they were referred to as estrogen disruptors or xenoestrogens, science now understands that their detrimental effects are more widespread. It is now common knowledge within the scientific community that these compounds can affect thyroid function and brain development as well as reproductive potential.

 

Earlier, we mentioned how EDC’s affect our bodies on the cellular level. Cellular disorders can manifest even in low EDC amounts, perhaps even lower than accepted toxic levels. These chemicals can have synergistic and additive effects upon each other, and some can even cancel others out. In most cases, however, one small bit of two different EDC’s used together, as in many pesticides, do not add up to two small bits, but rather five or six times the effect.

 

Timing is also a critical factor in exposure to EDC’s. Many of the compounds are lipidophilic — they like fat and tend to accumulate in fat tissue. They are not easily detoxified or cleansed from the body and thus are stored up over decades, particularly in women’s bodies (we just have more fat naturally). In addition, these contaminants can be transferred across the placenta to a growing fetus. There is a critical window of time for fetal reproductive development as well as for the development of behavioral, nervous and immune systems. If EDC’s are present, they are going to have an effect that will last as the fetus develops.

 

No one likes to single women out, especially mothers. We shoulder enough responsibility in our society as it is! The fact is, however, is that mothers must be extra vigilant in minimizing their exposure to these toxins when pregnant. Gestational exposure for the fetus is a critical time, perhaps even more important that the entire lifetime of exposure before a woman gets pregnant. A woman’s tissues and breast milk are like a warehouse for all the synthetic compounds she has ever been exposed to. It is a tragedy that women are often unaware of this exposure and thus do not avoid these ever-present chemicals in their environment.

 

So…if you are still reading thus far, good for you! The info up to this point might have been tough to hear, but remember— knowledge is power! And you have made it through the hardest part. Now we are more than ready to hear some good news. And there is a lot of it! The first step in fixing any problem is to understand that there is a problem. The second step is to do something about it.

 

Information leads to action. Let’s take a look about what is being done to minimize or eliminate the effects of endocrine disruptors in the world today— and how you can reduce them for yourself, your family and your community.

 

Does anyone care about EDC’s?

 

The feds, big business, citizen action groups— everyone is getting on the ball these days and spreading the word about the dangers of EDC’s. And that is a very good thing!

 

For decades, scientists have been quantifying and analyzing the impact of chemicals on living organisms, and they have known for many years about the manmade chemicals on the market that are harmful to both small and large life forms. Unfortunately, countless more chemicals have never been thoroughly tested for human safety, and we simply cannot assume that because a chemical has been approved for use that it is necessarily “safe.” Yet, the research continues. Even in the midst of severe budget cuts, the federal government continues to fund research into the effects of these industrial pollutants. Check out the Environmental Protection Agency (www.epa.gov) and the National Toxicology Program (http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov) for more information. There is still uncertainty about the exact causes and effects on humans of these chemicals, and, as mentioned before, studies of the effects of these chemicals on people present unique challenges. Comparisons with effects on animals are helpful but not perfect. Dosage levels, exposure times, and combinations of toxins make research work complicated, but the fact that it continues despite the obstacles is a step in the right direction.

 

Risk management programs so far have only just gotten started, with some states being more progressive than others. The European Union is perhaps the most progressive in taking action on identifying and reducing the most offensive agents. In June 2005, over 100 research scientists actively involved in research on endocrine disrupters from 15 countries around the world issued a joint statement raising concerns about endocrine disruption:

 

“In view of the magnitude of the potential risks associated with endocrine disrupters, we strongly believe that scientific uncertainty should not delay precautionary action on reducing the exposures to and the risks from endocrine disrupters.”

 

(For the entire report see the Prague Declaration on Endocrine Disruption at www.ourstolenfuture.org/Consensus/2005-0620praguedeclaration.htm).

 

Furthermore, in the research world, recently developed biomonitoring techniques have become available for sampling human tissues and fluids. These methods help to gain a better sense of our body burden, or the amount of stress our detoxification systems are under due to the presence of these chemicals in our bodies. This has helped to land the issue of endocrine disruptors on the radar screen of the mainstream media and the political arena. Both Health Canada in that country and the Centers for Disease Control in the U.S. are conducting biomonitoring testing programs. Biomonitoring, however, is quite expensive and has not been standardized. It also only measures exposure to a chemical. It cannot describe the full effects and consequences of specific amounts of chemicals. A direct link from a dose of one chemical to particular diseases or conditions can rarely be made. Nor do most researchers have the time nor desire to test them on each other. No one would ethically expose fetuses or young children to different doses of toxic chemicals in order to watch them over their lifetime.

 

We are also realizing that an individual’s DNA and genes make an important contribution to EDC effects. This is known as individual susceptibility. Some people show no effect from exposure while others are extremely sensitive. Of course, most of us lie somewhere in between.

 

For the most part, scientists are left to make assumptions about the specific effects of EDC’s on humans based on animal and lab data. Many are questioning prior assumptions and seeing that endocrine disruptors not only affect estrogen receptors but all signaling mechanisms that make our bodies function. It’s no wonder so many scientists are alarmed.

 

But how does all this affect your health on a day-to-day basis? And, for women, how does it affect peri-menopause, menopause and hormone balance? We can only make conjectures at this point. However, we at Vibrant Way concur with many other researchers and scientists who feel that endocrine disruptors have to make a significant contribution to the severity of hormonal symptoms that so many peri-menopausal and menopausal women are experiencing in modern times.

 

You can do something!

 

We’ve said it before and, yes, we will say it again! We at Vibrant Way counsel all of our clients to become empowered by giving them the right information about what is going on in their bodies. The first thing we encourage in regards to EDC’s is to become aware of where they may exist in your daily life. This means assessing the potential load of contaminants you come into contact with each day— including plastics, pesticides, housing and clothing material, cleansers, bleach and cosmetics. Make a list if you have to, or keep a diary of how many times a day you are exposed to a certain product that contains EDC’s.

 

Additionally, develop an understanding that the health of your air, water, and earth also has an effect on your personal health. Just as the functions within our bodies are all connected, we are all connected to the world around us. You may ask yourself— what can I do to make change in such an all-encompassing issue as environmental toxins? To this, we would remind you that small changes really can add up to significant improvements on all levels— personally, locally and globally.

 

So here are a few things you can do right now to minimize the effects of EDC’s in your life and in the lives of those around you:

 

For yourself and your family...

1. Make wise food choices. Eat organically as much as possible, and watch animal fat and fish consumption. Because endocrine disruptors and heavy metals magnify in the food chain, the higher your protein source, the greater the potential toxic load. Large deep water “fatty” fish like tuna may contain high levels of synthetic chemicals and heavy metals, so eat them in moderation. For specific advice on consumption, see the DHHS/EPA advisory.
2. If it’s not organic, use the “pick and choose” method. Certain crops are more heavily sprayed than others. Data on the worst offenders vary, but the following twelve fruits and veggies are among those with the highest pesticide residues: peaches, apples, bell peppers, celery, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, lettuce, grapes, pears, spinach, and potatoes. Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly before consuming, or peel them if they are not organically grown. We recommend a fruit wash, but you can also use diluted soap or vinegar in a pinch.
3. Take a wide–spectrum daily multivitamin with essential fatty acids. Daily use of a solid multi-vitamin will ensure rich nutrition and support your body’s optimal functioning. In today’s world, taking vitamins is no longer an option, it’s a mandate. Unfortunately, much of our food supply is contaminated and lacks the necessary nutrients, even if you think you eat well. You must equip your body with the essential tools it needs to do its job, particularly when it must do battle every day with so many toxins. Supplements are a big part of this line of defense.
4. Support detoxification by exercising and sweating on a regular basis. Try a gentle detox program a few times a year. Use a sauna or steam bath. Get regular sleep (you detoxify at night) and drink plenty of filtered water. If you are on a lot of medication, it could influence your body’s ability to detox, so be sure to check with your medical practitioner before beginning any detox program.
5. Eat plenty of fiber and take a daily probiotic. And make sure that that probiotic is either bifidobacteria and/or an Acidophilus strain in the billions. Certain foods and beverages like green tea contain flavonoids, which help the body rid itself of toxins. Pomegranate juice, blueberries, and red wine are also good choices — but be cautious of drug interactions. And remember, everything in moderation!
6. If you are planning on getting pregnant and breastfeeding, be vigilant about chemicals. Don’t worry about what you can’t control. As you learn more, you will be empowered to put that knowledge into action. Right now, just put your energy into becoming the healthiest, brightest, most energetic human being you can be!
7. Investigate the chemicals in your cosmetics, bug spray, lotions and toiletries. Visit the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics website for a list of chemical-free alternatives.
8. Know your water supply. Find out whether your local community’s water testing program checks for hormone-disrupting chemicals and heavy metals. In addition, not all household filters work effectively on all chemicals. And unfortunately, not all bottled water is checked for toxicity or leaching either. Read your water quality reports. If you drink purified water out of plastic bottles, do not leave the bottles in your car or in the hot sun for any length of time; heat activates the molecules in the plastic, which increases the rate at which polycarbons leach into the water.

For your community...

1. Go Green! You can do this by using safer, greener household products. Newer products have undergone substantial improvements, are more attractive and more affordable, and perform just as well if not better than many conventional name-brand products. Some may be a bit more expensive so if you are on a budget, try using baking soda and/or vinegar instead (they are great for windows and shower scum!). Also check out the many great websites which offer advice on green cleaning. Annie B. Bond’s Home Enlightenment and Debra Dadd’s List are just a couple. Both women have been called the “Queen of Green” and also have books on the subject. Open your windows to air the house out instead of spraying air freshener or using PlugIns. Avoid unnecessary uses and exposures while gardening, cleaning, and removing rubbish this spring and summer. Remember that all your trash, fertilizer, and wastewater goes back into the ground — there simply is no flushing it away when it comes to endocrine disrupting chemicals. Look for “green” lawn products and garden services. If you swim or own a hot tub, pick a facility or service that uses non-chlorine based disinfectants.
2. Avoid using plastics.

For the future...

1. Never doubt the power of consumer demand! Exercise your rights as a consumer. Ask for green products when you don’t see them in your neighborhood stores. If you have a talent for organizing and recruiting people, use it to develop community ordinances regarding the use of chemicals in public places. It took us a while to legislate no-smoking areas; hopefully “chemical-free” will not be that far away. Encourage the youth in your city or town to learn more about environmental issues and to pursue research into redesigning their future.
2. Get politically active. Support local and federal clean air and water initiatives. Write to your local and state representatives and encourage them to vote for a healthy future. Support elected officials who make a clean environment their priority. The National Resources Defense Council and the Environmental Working Group are two public watchdogs that can help you get informed about upcoming debates and legislation.

 

In conclusion

 

No one can live in a bubble these days. In this era of high-tech, fast everything and new and shiny gadgets around every corner, there is no regressing back to a pre-WWII lifestyle. Yet at the same time, we who live in the early twenty-first century are faced with the very real and urgent challenge of redesigning the future. We must ensure that our environment is safer and healthier for this generation and the ones to come. The full effects of endocrine disruptors are still a long way from being understood. During the last few decades, however, there can be no denying that we are witnessing a spike in infertility rates, autism, chronic disease, childhood cancers, chemical sensitivities, allergies and ADHD. While it may be too early to state definitively that endocrine disruptors are the primary source of these problems, the evidence does seem to point to a clear, consistent connection that simply cannot be denied. Most experts agree that the experiment is still in play. No one knows how long it will take for us to finish making our hypothesis or come to our conclusions, but common sense and basic awareness tells us that something in our chemically-infested world is markedly out of balance.

 

The game isn’t over yet— and that is actually a good thing! It means we can still influence the outcome. We need to find better, safer, more clever ways to continue to progress and advance — ways that work with nature, not against it. Humans are an amazing species; we can socially adapt and learn at a breathtaking pace — it just takes the know-how, the leadership, and the commitment to grow and evolve.

 

And the best way to begin is by implementing changes in our own lives. When you start with yourself and your loved ones, not only will you feel better, but your actions may have a ripple effect throughout your community.