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Everyday Chemicals & PCOS

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Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs)

EDCs are found in commercial, industrial and agricultural industries, and can alter the body’s hormonal and  regulatory systems.

The hormonal disruption caused by EDCs can interfere with the endocrine system and contribute to the  development of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). EDCs have been found to disrupt the reproductive and metabolic systems of women, resembling PCOS characteristics.1-3

The impact of EDCs on the body 

EDCs are not easily broken down by the body. Consequently, exposure can result in high accumulation. These chemicals may influence body functions, affecting women, men and their offspring. EDCs can impact the body in the following ways:3-5
● Mimicking or blocking sexual hormone receptors and pathways
● Producing a high level of reactive oxygen species (ROS)
● Breaking down DNA strands
● Affecting mitochondrial function

Common products containing EDCs 

EDCs are found in many everyday products and foods. Five common products with EDCs include:1-5

1. Plastic bottles – Bisphenol A (BPA) and butyltins
● BPA is the most implicated EDC in PCOS
● These compounds are also present in – food packaging, toys, canned foods, water supply, baby bottles 

2. Cosmetics – Parabens (preservative) and Alkylphenols (non-ionic surfactants)
● These chemicals are also present in – food and pharmaceutical products

3. Fruits and vegetables – Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs)
● Used in – control of insects, weeds, and fungus, e.g., DDT

4. Toys – Phthalates
● These compounds are also present in – personal care products, PVC, building materials, medical devices

5. Fire proofing – Brominated flame retardants
● Used in – household, clothing (especially children’s) and industrial products to prevent or slow fire

EDCs and PCOS

Exposure to EDCs could permanently alter neuroendocrine (Nerve-hormone), reproductive and metabolic regulation leading to PCOS development or acceleration of the condition. EDCs are also implicated in the development of insulin resistance, common in PCOS.1,2

Reduce EDCs with a natural detoxifier

Apart from avoiding the above chemicals, the impact of EDCs may be reduced by strengthening the intestinal wall barrier and binding toxins and waste products in the intestines, preventing their absorption. This natural detoxifier is not absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract into the bloodstream and does not strip the body of beneficial
minerals.6,7,8
 

Contact us at True Medicine for optimal health and resilience – call the clinic to arrange an appointment 0468 774 633.

References:

  1. Palioura, E., & Diamanti-Kandarakis, E. (2015). Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC’s). Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders, 16(4), 365–371. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11154-016-9326-7   
  2. Piazza, M. J., & Urbanetz, A. A. (2019). Environmental toxins and the impact of other endocrine disrupting chemicals in women’s reproductive health. JBRA assisted reproduction, 23(2), 154. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30875185/
  3. Tang, Z. R., Xu, X. L., Deng, S. L., Lian, Z. X., & Yu, K. (2020). Oestrogenic endocrine disruptors in the placenta and the fetus. International journal of molecular sciences, 21(4), 1519. https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/21/4/1519  
  4. Vahedi, M., Saeedi, A., Poorbaghi, S. L., Sepehrimanesh, M., & Fattahi, M. (2016). Metabolic and endocrine effects of bisphenol A exposure in market seller women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 23(23), 23546-23550. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11356-016-7573-5
  5. Schjenken, J. E., Green, E. S., Overduin, T. S., Mah, C. Y., Russell, D. L., & Robertson, S. A. (2021). Endocrine Disruptor Compounds-A Cause of Impaired Immune Tolerance Driving Inflammatory Disorders of Pregnancy?. Frontiers in endocrinology, 12, 607539. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2021.607539    
  6. Laurino, C., & Palmieri, B. (2015). Zeolite:“the magic stone”; main nutritional, environmental, experimental and clinical fields of application. Nutricion hospitalaria, 32(2), 573-581.
  7. Application of natural zeolites in medicine and cosmetology – ZEOMEDCOS. Proceedings. SWB, Baku-London, 2010. 
  8. James, L. F., Stewart, A. L., & Erik, J. D. (2009). Clinical evidence supporting the use of an activated clinoptilolite suspension as an agent to increase urinary excretion of toxic heavy metals. Nutrition and Dietary Supplements, 11-18, 11–18. https://doi.org/10.2147/NDS.S8043