Environmental Factors

Environmental Factors in Women’s Health 

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Have you heard about the growing scientific concern about the effects of hormone disruptors in our daily lives? 😟 Let’s get a handle on this topic and how we can minimize our exposure. 

These everyday chemicals (aka endocrine disruptors) are concerning, but knowledge is power! 🤓

Why care about endocrine disruptors?

These chemicals may mimic, block, or interfere with your hormones. Studies have shown that exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals can lead to reproductive and developmental issues, including infertility and early puberty 😢. Some other concerns include increased cancer risk and disturbances in immune and nervous system function.

https://www.epa.gov/endocrine-disruption/overview-endocrine-disruption 

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2020.626448/full 

https://www.endocrine.org/topics/edc/plastics-edcs-and-health 

How we get exposed

We can be exposed to these disruptors through our skin, the air, and ingestion. 

They are found in some:

• Flexible food + beverage containers

• Pesticides

• Weed killers

• Cosmetics

• Carpeting

• Stain-resistant treatments

• Flame retardants

• Cleaning products

• Fast food

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🚫 Examples of endocrine-disrupting chemicals

These are just some of the hormone disruptors found in everyday things:

• Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of chemicals used widely in industrial applications, such as firefighting foam, nonstick pans, paper, and textile coatings.

• Atrazine is one of the most commonly applied weed killers in the world, often used to control weeds in corn, sorghum, and sugarcane crops.

• Bisphenol A (BPA) is used to make flexible plastics and epoxy resins. It is used in manufacturing, food packaging, toys, and other applications. 

• Phthalates are compounds used as liquid plasticizers. They are found in hundreds of products including some food packaging, cosmetics, and artificial fragrances. Cosmetics that may contain phthalates include nail polish, hair spray, aftershave, cleanser, and shampoo.

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Source: https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/endocrine

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OK, now don’t panic! We can’t control everything, but we CAN cut back on these chemicals in our homes and everyday life. Watch for our next post for our top tips. 🌱

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➡️ Did any of these facts surprise you? 

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PART 2: Strategies for Reducing Exposure to Hormone Disruptors

I know we all need some deep breaths after that last post! Never fear, we have 10 tips for limiting exposure to those nasty hormone-disrupting chemicals in daily life. 🌿

While we can’t control everything, we can make a difference by lowering our overall exposure to these chemicals. 

📝 10 Ways to Avoid Hormone Disruptors

• Wash your hands frequently, especially before eating, to rinse off residues you may have been exposed to on receipts, vinyl, stain-resistant materials, cleaning products, etc.

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• Choose containers, bottles, and packaging that are BPA-free or made from glass, stainless steel, or silicone.

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• Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to remove household dust that can contain flame retardants and other endocrine disruptors. Dust and vacuum often.

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• Avoid synthetically fragranced products, which can contain hormone-disrupting chemicals like phthalates. Some manufacturers use fragrances that are free of phthalates and bisphenols––check with the company if you aren’t sure. Real essential oils are fine but watch out for cheap ones that may be cut with fake fragrances.

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• Limit canned foods and drinks, as the linings can contain BPA or other endocrine disruptors. Some may be BPA-free––check the label.

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• When possible, enjoy organic foods to reduce exposure to pesticides and other agricultural chemicals. Choose fresh, frozen, or dried foods over highly processed and fast foods, which tend to have higher levels of endocrine-disrupting chemicals. 

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• Look for nontoxic cleaning products that are free of phthalates and bisphenols (BPA). Shaklee’s Get Clean® line provides healthy alternatives for everything from hand soap to laundry detergent.

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• Use stainless steel, cast iron, or glass cookware instead of non-stick pots and pans.

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• Filter your tap water to reduce exposure to chemicals like BPA residues.

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• Look for CLEAN personal care and beauty products that are free of phthalates and parabens. Check out Shaklee’s YOUTH® products.

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• If you feel inspired, you could even contact your representatives and ask them to pursue policies and regulations that protect us from endocrine disruptors.

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HAVE YOU JOINED THE CHALLENGE? Complete the quiz to activate!

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➡️ Do you have a favourite endocrine-safe product to tell us about? Right now, mine is ______

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Thank you 

It’s been an absolution honor and pleasure to talk about women’s health with all of you! Thank you so much for being here. 🙏🏼 Keep advocating for your health needs and taking good care of yourself!

Let's connect in a zoom 1:1 Call, so I can best serve you please complete the quick Quiz and check your inbox for a booking the time that works for you! 

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