The phrase doesn’t sound great. In fact, it sounds rather complicated.

And that’s exact what happens to your endocrine system when you’re exposed to too many of these disruptors long term… it becomes complicated.

According to the (United States) National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, an Endocrine Disruptor “is a chemical that mimics hormones and can bind to receptors in the endocrine system.”

To simply explain this phrase, is when too many chemicals are exposed to the body’s endocrine system (hormonal system; ovaries, testicles, thyroids and adrenals) they can cause a toxic reaction. This reaction can result in unbalanced hormones, uterine diseases, cysts, tumours, pregnancy issues, immune issues, skin reactions and cancerous cells over time.

“Endocrine disrupting chemicals are substances that cause adverse health effects by altering the function of the endocrine or hormonal system.” Lara Briden, Period Repair Manual.

These disruptors called xenoestrogens, basically mimic estrogen [also referred to as oestrogen] production in the body by binding to the hormones, ‘acting’ like estrogen turning ON estrogen receptors and producing the equivalent amount. This can cause estrogen dominant havoc in both female and male hormonal systems. Females are more susceptible to these xenoestrogens however, men have low doses of estrogen which can become unbalanced if exposed to high levels of these toxins.

“Your body is accustomed to responding to hormones at a low dose. Therefore, it makes sense that your body will respond to endocrine disruptors at a low dose. They are directly damage glandular tissue such as thyroid and ovaries… they can impair estrogen metabolism and block and disrupt hormone receptors.” Lara Briden, Period Repair Manual.

Together, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (ACOG) and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) stated: “Scientific evidence over the last 15 years show that exposure to toxic environmental agents…can have significant and long-lasting effects on reproductive health.” Lara Briden, Period Repair Manual.

How each body can tolerate and process these toxins is different. Some bodies may be affected more than others or susceptible to some health concerns more than others.

Cutting as many toxins from the body can help as much as possible with leading a healthy, balanced life

Where are Endocrine Disruptors Found?

Endocrine disruptors are found all around us. From your plastic drink bottle to cleaning products, soy products, prescriptive medicines, cosmetics and the list continues. They are so common; you won’t even realise that you use them daily.

You can get them through what you eat, drink, breathe and absorb through your skin. They’re filled in your average cosmetics, skincare, body care, furniture, cleaning products, gardening supplies, water, food, canned foods, plastic water bottles, packaging, toys, cookware and environmental exposures.

“It’s a dichotomy: using personal care products to look and feel our best, while these products are full of toxins that are causing us harm.” - Tanne Snowden

These common chemicals are known as the ‘dirty dozen’, 12 common chemicals that we encounter every day in our home, beauty and health products.

There’s been little regulation by the FDA (United States Food and Drug Administration) since the 1970s on chemicals and ingredients used in the cosmetic industry. While only 30 ingredients have been banned for cosmetic use in the USA, 600 are banned in Canada, and 1400 have been banned in Europe. With so many personal care brands based in America, these statistics really worried me.

The toxic chemicals, are used mainly as stabilizers and fillers to prolong the shelf life and stretch the product’s active ingredients and prolong its shelf life. There may be one active ingredient per product and the remainder of the formula can be filled with chemicals.

As new chemicals, nanoparticles, ingredients and technologies are created every day to extend a product’s capacity to sell, increasingly more illnesses are connected to the environment and our lifestyle.

When we buy something such as a personal care product, we have been trained by cleaver marketers to assume that what we are buying is safe. We are fooled by marketing terms that sound ‘healthy’ or is some way ‘good’ for us. However, we have to research everything ourselves now and seek out our own answers.

We live in a toxic world, there’s no denying this. However, there has been an upsurge of people doing their own research into what they are placing in and on their body. 

Cosmetic companies will hopefully adapt to the new intelligent and informed consumer. However, formulating without these chemicals is costly.

But how much is the price to suffer with symptoms or illness for years?

Symptoms of High Estrogen in Women

• PMS
• Tender breasts
• Heavy Periods
• Clots
• Fibroids
• Water retention

How Can We Avoid These Endocrine Disruptors?

Changing your whole lifestyle at once is daunting and will likely not last. However, changing one thing at a time and adapting to how you feel as a result of this, will have a lasting change.

Some small changes to implement would be:

• Drink water from glasses or cups
• Choose household cleaning products carefully
• Never refill standard plastic water bottles
• Wash your fruit and vegetables properly
• Eat cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower and kale
• Be aware of fragrances and fragrant candles
• Heat food in ceramic bowls
• Modify your cosmetic products and look for ‘clean’ and ‘non-toxic’
• Avoid food or drinks with long ingredient lists
• Limit your soy intake
• Sweat, sweat, sweat
• Take the lid off of your takeaway coffee cup
• Remover your air fresheners 

As the skin absorbs almost everything, we place onto it, be kind to your body. Check the ingredients of your cosmetics and skincare ingredient lists.

If there is any ingredient that sounds alarming or unreadable, research it and/or opt for a different brand when you run out of your product.

Although we can never escape all the chemicals that we are exposed to each day, everything you can do to avoid these toxins is beneficial. 

 

Tronque’s Banned List:

Tronque uses only the highest quality, clean, ethically sourced ingredients. Free from these common ingredients found in skincare, makeup and haircare.

Endocrine Disruptors

Synthetic Fragrances

Synthetic Dyes

Synthetic Preservatives 

Phenoxyethanol

Phthalates

Parabens

SIlicones

Formaldehyde

Petroleum

Chemical Screens

Drying Alcohol's 

1,4-dioxane

Nanoparticles

Sodium Laureth Sulphate

Mineral Oils

Sulfates

Formaldehyde

PEGS

Talc

Soy

 

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