If you are like me, I did not think I had much control over my surroundings, nor did I realize the capacity of its influence on my health. The term ‘endocrine disruptor’ will be on repeat throughout this exploration so we can become familiar with what they are and how to unfriend them ASAP! Keep your friends close and your enemies closer? Not in this case, keep these enemies faaaar away!
First, what are some environments we can influence?
· Car
· Home
· Workplace
Pick one area above and begin there.
Next, what are endocrine disruptors anyway? Endocrine disruptors are human-made chemicals that mimic body hormones causing chaos in the body. Let me add, when we talk about our endocrine system (hormones), we have to understand this encompasses our entire body’s functioning: brain function & mood, body growth, organ function, metabolism and reproduction.
Now that we understand the magnitude a bit more, let’s figure out an easy way to limit these disruptions. When you think endocrine disruptor, I want you to immediately think of the word ‘Fragrance’.
Fragrance (the crowd boo’s!!!) is constantly in our air; car & home air fresheners, perfumes, deodorants, shampoo/conditioner, soaps, cleaners, makeup, detergents and we have come to correlate our cleanliness with how fragrant something smells. The endocrine disruptor fragrance has very similar molecules as our body’s estrogen and testosterone. So now that we know endocrine disruptors mimic our bodies hormones causing chaos, imagine when we breathe in fragrance day in and day out, our endocrine system is likely confused into thinking it does not need to produce as much estrogen or testosterone so our natural levels lower however those disruptors aren’t performing the actions our true hormones handle so our body then increases the hormone levels causing constant fluctuations which result in various symptoms/conditions (see below), abnormal labs and lack of homeostasis (balance in the body).This is just one example of endocrine disruption but I speak on it for 2 reasons:
1. Fragrance is in so many of our personal environments that we have the control to change.
2. Endocrine disorders (i.e., Hypo/Hyperthyroidism, PCOS, Diabetes, Osteoporosis, Obesity, Anxiety, Depression, Asthma & Allergies) are at an all time high.
So, your weekend homework is to begin identifying the endocrine disruptors you have control of in YOUR air. Back in 2017, I began this swap with a wonderful company called Young Living! They make it super simple with their personal care & home products PLUS their quality is unmatched so I don't have to read labels nor think twice. I am grateful to share them here bit.ly/pskchristiec
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