How common pollutants can damage your hormones and cause hormonal imbalances
Pollutants have become commonplace in our lives and can be found in the air, in our food, in our water supply, from factories, health and beauty care products, supplements and the list goes on.
We often do not see, smell or feel pollutants because they are not always obvious to us, and many of us take for granted that our food, water, and other products are safe, and after all why shouldn't they be.
Pollutants can adversely impact your hormones as well as your overall health.
Here are a few ways how pollutants can impact your hormones:
They often accumulate in your glands where your hormones are created and block hormone receptors.
They can increase estrogen levels resulting in estrogen dominance (when estrogen levels are way above progesterone levels) and disrupting the functioning of the hormonal system whose job it is to carry messages to the different parts of the body.
They can harm the enzymes that are used to make hormones
Here are a few ways how pollutants can impact your overall health:
Develop thyroid conditions
Compromised stress response system
Mood swings
Frequent fatigue or lack of energy
Brain fog or trouble focusing
Difficulty losing weight
All the above are common symptoms related to hormonal imbalances that millions of women struggle with on a daily basis.
Let’s look at some of the common pollutants that can disrupt your hormones.
Xenoestrogens
Xenoestrogens are endocrine disruptors that mimic estrogen in your body. They can trigger estrogen receptors on cancer cells located in the breast just in the same way that natural estrogen produced in the body can. A very common type of xenoestrogen is paraben found in many cosmetic and skincare products. Paraben can cause disruption in the endocrine system which can significantly influence hormonal changes that wreaks havoc in a woman’s body during perimenopause and menopause.
Commonly found in:
Our water supply
Health and Beauty products
Plastics
Pesticides
Chemicals
Lead
Lead can cause decreases in estrogen, progesterone and testosterone levels. Based on studies, 20% baby food samples and 14% of food samples tested contained lead.
Commonly found in:
The air we breathe
Our water supply
Our food
Old paint
In the soil
Leaded gasoline
Arsenic
Arsenic causes damage to insulin cells and enzymes that remove fat from fat cells. It also affects certain receptors that are responsible for regulating stress, blood glucose levels, and blood vessel function.
Commonly found in:
The air we breathe
Our water supply
Our food (conventional chickens and eggs, rice)
Pesticides
Mercury
Mercury causes a decrease in thyroid hormones (regulates your metabolism) and progesterone.
Commonly found in:
Amalgam fillings
The air we breathe
Our water supply
Certain seafood (e.g., swordfish, shellfish)
Certain medications
Cadmium
Cadmium can block estrogen receptors, and decrease testosterone and progesterone levels. It accumulates in the pituitary gland and disrupts hormonal messaging to other organs and cells.
Commonly found in:
Our water supply
Certain seafood
Coffee
Plastics
Fertilizers
The air we breathe
Cigarette smoke
Things you can do to remove pollutants that have accumulated in your body
Get tested for heavy metals in your body. Your clinician can perform tests using blood or urine samples. There are also a variety of at home testing kits that are available on the market today.
Detox your body
Opt for cleaner health and beauty products with less chemicals
Invest in a good water filtration system
Reduce buying and drinking water from plastic bottles
In Good Health,
Deon
Menopause & Perimenopause Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/541676579718984
Website: Deonhall.com
DISCLAIMER: This information is not intended to provide medical advice. The purpose is to provide education and broader understanding to my readers. Always seek the advice of your qualified healthcare provider before making any dietary or lifestyle changes. I do not recommend or prescribe, or recommend changing dosage or discontinuing, any prescription medications or pharmaceutical drugs.
RESOURCES
CONNECT WITH ME
If you are struggling with weight gain, lack of energy, hot flashes, cravings, etc. I have a few spots available over the next 2 weeks for a FREE 30-minute Breakthrough Strategy call.
Free Checklist: 5 Surprising Ways to Increase Energy and Lose Weight
Book - "Building Beyond the 9 to 5"
