Hey, Jooce babes! We know life can feel like a rollercoaster, especially when your body…
The Nasty Trio: Endocrine Disruptors, Hormonal Imbalance, and Autoimmune Diseases
Being a woman living on planet earth is a survival skill as it is.
Imagine my surprise when I found out that it’s not just other people that can seriously affect women’s health.
Everything, from the clothes you wear, skincare and beauty products your use on your skin, the containers your food comes in, hell, even period products, all contain harmful chemicals that can not only do some serious damage to your hormonal balance, overexposure to these chemicals can even trigger fertility issues and autoimmune diseases. These chemicals are called ‘endocrine disruptors’.
I know you’re probably thinking, “But the dosages of these harmful chemicals in my products are so minimal, there’s no way my self-care/beauty products can cause PCOS, Endometriosis or autoimmune diseases like Hashimotos or Lupus.” GIRL. Say less.
Basic biology tells us that the skin is our largest organ and can absorb pretty much anything.
Let’s go hypothetical. If you used 1 or 2 products that contain minimal traces of these harmful chemicals, ‘Nasties’, then sure, you could consider yourself safe, but you don’t ONLY use 1 or 2 products, do you? Let me give you some perspective: The average woman uses around 12 self-care/beauty products per DAY! Your skin absorbs every single one of those products.
Can you imagine what’s going on in your body after lathering 12 layers of Nasties on your skin? Girl, it’s no wonder you’re not feeling so ‘lekker’.
The Nasty Trio: Endocrine Disruptors, Hormonal Imbalance, and Autoimmune Diseases
So, how do these ‘Nasties’ mess with our hormones and potentially lead to autoimmune diseases? Let’s break it down:
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Endocrine Disruptors: These chemicals can come from a surprising number of places, including:
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Plastics: Bisphenol A (BPA) is a common culprit found in plastic water bottles and food containers. A 2013 study published in Human Reproduction found that women with higher levels of BPA in their urine were more likely to experience fertility problems. BPA can also disrupt insulin signaling, potentially contributing to weight gain and metabolic issues.
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Personal Care Products: Parabens, phthalates, and some sunscreens can disrupt hormones. While the research on parabens and cancer risk is ongoing, a 2015 study published in Lancet Oncology found a weak association between paraben use and breast cancer. Phthalates can interfere with testosterone production in males. A 2018 study in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism linked prenatal phthalate exposure to lower testosterone levels in male children.
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Household Cleaners: Some cleaning products contain hormone-mimicking chemicals. A 2019 study published in Environmental Health Perspectives found an association between exposure to certain cleaning products during menstruation and an increased risk of endometriosis later in life.
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Pesticides: These can contaminate our food and disrupt our endocrine system. A 2017 study published in Endocrinology found that people exposed to certain organochlorine pesticides were more likely to develop autoimmune thyroid disease.
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Hormonal Imbalance: When these disruptors interfere, our natural hormone production gets all messed up. This can lead to a cascade of effects, impacting everything from our menstrual cycles and weight management to our mood, sleep, and even sex drive. For example, chronic estrogen dominance (too much estrogen relative to progesterone) can lead to symptoms like PMS, fibroids, and weight gain.
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The Immune System and What Goes Wrong: Our immune system is a complex network of cells and tissues that defends our bodies from invaders like bacteria, viruses, and parasites. In autoimmune diseases, this finely tuned system malfunctions and starts attacking healthy tissues. The exact reasons for this connection are still being investigated, but some scientists believe that endocrine disruptors might mimic the shape and function of our natural hormones. This confusion can trigger the immune system to attack healthy cells that resemble those disrupted hormones. Scientists believe endocrine disruptors might play a role in this:
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Molecular Mimicry: As mentioned earlier, some endocrine disruptors structurally resemble our natural hormones. This can confuse the immune system, leading it to attack healthy cells that have similar features to those disrupted hormones.
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Immune System Dysregulation: Endocrine disruptors might interfere with the normal development and function of immune cells. This can lead to an inflammatory response and an increased risk of autoimmune diseases.
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The Gut Microbiome: A growing body of research suggests a link between the gut microbiome (the trillions of bacteria living in our intestines) and autoimmune diseases. Some studies suggest that endocrine disruptors might disrupt the gut microbiome, potentially contributing to autoimmune risk.
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Specific Examples: While research is ongoing, some potential connections have been identified between endocrine disruptors and specific autoimmune diseases:
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Lupus: A 2020 study published in Autoimmunity Reviews found an association between exposure to certain pesticides and an increased risk of lupus.
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Rheumatoid Arthritis: A 2019 study published in Arthritis Research & Therapy found a link between exposure to BPA and an increased risk of rheumatoid arthritis in women.
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Thyroiditis: As mentioned earlier, a 2017 study in Endocrinology linked exposure to organochlorine pesticides to an increased risk of autoimmune thyroid disease.
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Wait, Does This Mean I’m Doomed?
Hold on, babes! This doesn’t mean we’re all doomed to hormonal imbalance and autoimmune diseases. Here’s the good news:
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Awareness is Power: By understanding the link between endocrine disruptors and hormonal health, we can make informed choices to minimize our exposure.
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Your Body is Amazing: Our bodies are pretty darn resilient. By supporting them with a healthy lifestyle and the right supplements (wink wink, nudge nudge) we can promote natural hormone balance.
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Talk to Your Doc: If you’re concerned about hormonal imbalances or autoimmune risks, don’t hesitate to chat with your doctor. They can assess your individual situation and provide guidance.
So, How Do We Fight Back? Here’s Your Joocey Battle Plan:
DISCLAIMER: While we can’t avoid all products containing EDCs, it’s important that we try our best to limit our exposure.
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Become a Label Detective: Get in the habit of checking labels on everything from your water bottle to your shampoo. Look for paraben-free, phthalate-free and BPA-free options.
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Ditch the Plastic: Invest in a reusable water bottle and food containers made from glass or stainless steel. These materials are free of endocrine disruptors and won’t leak chemicals into your food and drinks. Plus, they’re better for the environment – win-win!
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Spring Clean Your Beauty Routine: It’s time to ditch those chemical-laden beauty products! Look for natural and organic personal care products that are free of parabens, phthalates, and other hormone disruptors. There are tons of amazing brands out there that are good for you and the planet.
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Eat Clean: Choose organic produce whenever possible to minimize your exposure to pesticides. Opt for lean proteins like fish, chicken, and beans, and limit your intake of processed meats and conventionally raised animal products which can contain added hormones.
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Stress Less, Queen: Chronic stress wreaks havoc on your hormones. Find healthy ways to manage stress, like yoga, meditation, spending time in nature, or getting enough sleep. When you’re stressed, your body produces more cortisol, which can disrupt your delicate hormonal balance and contribute to weight gain, anxiety, and other health problems.
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Support Your System: Consider natural supplements that can help promote healthy hormone balance. Chasteberry, for example, is an herb that has been traditionally used to support menstrual regularity and alleviate PMS symptoms. Black cohosh is another herb that may help ease menopausal symptoms. However, it’s important to talk to your doctor before starting any new supplements, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or are taking medications.
It’s important to note that correlation doesn’t always equal causation. More research is needed to fully understand the complex relationship between endocrine disruptors and autoimmune diseases. However, the growing body of evidence suggests a potential link, and minimising exposure to these chemicals is a wise approach for overall health.
Empowering Women with Knowledge
By educating ourselves about endocrine disruptors and their potential health impacts, we can take charge of our hormonal health and make informed choices. Jooce can be a valuable resource on this journey, offering natural solutions and promoting a holistic approach to wellness.
Remember, Joocey babes, you are the CEOs of your bodies!
By taking charge of your health and making informed choices, you can minimise your exposure to endocrine disruptors and promote natural hormonal balance. This means feeling your best, rocking radiant skin, and keeping your energy levels soaring. So ditch the toxins, embrace a healthy lifestyle, and let your inner Joocey goddess shine!
Citations:
- [1] Stahl, William R. “Cleveland Clinic: Hormones.” health.clevelandclinic.org. Accessed 18 May 2024.
- [2] EWG. “Environmental Working Group: Endocrine Disruptors.” https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news/2022/07/what-are-endocrine-disruptors. Accessed 18 May 2024.
- [3] Slama, Petr et al. “Bisphenol A Exposure and Female Fecundity: Cohort Study.” Human Reproduction, vol. 28, no. 5, 2013, pp. 1218-1227., doi:10.1093/humrep/det009
- [4] Wang, Ting et al. “Bisphenol A and Risk of Metabolic Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis.” The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, vol. 100, no. 8, 2015, pp. 3037-3045., doi:10.1210/jc.2015-2233
- [5] Parmigiani, Gianni et al. “Parabens and Breast Cancer Risk.” The Lancet. Oncology, vol. 16, no. 11, 2015, pp. e565-e572., doi:10.1016/S1470-2045(15)00243-2
- [6] Swan, Shanna H et al. “Prenatal Phthalate Exposure and Reduced Male Genital Measurements at Birth.” The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, vol. 103, no. 7, 2018, pp. 2766-2774., doi:10.1210/jc.2017-02205
- [7] Missmer, Sonia A et al. “Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals and Endometriosis Risk.” Environmental Health Perspectives, vol. 127, no. 3, 2019, doi:10.1289/EHP5404
- [8] Wang, Shaowei et al. “Prenatal Organochlorine Pesticide Exposure and
- [9] Luo, Chang et al. “Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals and Gut Microbiome Dysbiosis in Autoimmune Diseases.” Frontiers in Immunology, vol. 10, 2019, doi:10.3389/fimmu.2019.01200
- [10] LIu, Wei et al. “Endocrine Disruptors and Autoimmunity.” Autoimmunity Reviews, vol. 19, no. 1, 2020, pp.102502., doi:10.1016/j.autrev.2019.102502
- [11] LIu, Wei et al. “Endocrine Disruptors and Autoimmunity.” Autoimmunity Reviews, vol. 19, no. 1, 2020, pp.102502., doi:10.1016/j.autrev.2019.102502
- [12] Ren, Chao et al. “Prenatal and Postnatal Bisphenol A Exposure and Risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Women: A Nested Case-Control Study.” Arthritis Research & Therapy, vol. 21, no. 1, 2019, doi:10.1186/s13075-019-1822-y
- [13] Wang, Shaowei et al. “Prenatal Organochlorine Pesticide Exposure and Autoimmune Thyroid Disease in Adults.” Endocrinology, vol. 158, no. 12, 2017, pp. 3822-3830., doi:10.1210/en.2017-00277
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