Quite a while back we posted some videos on our YouTube channel discussing PFAS, bisphenols, and other environmental pollutants that are negatively affecting our health and recently the public is becoming more aware of the dangers. Since you may not be familiar with this current discussion regarding our environment, please allow me to share the following. I’m providing this information to identify some of the sources of these toxins affecting us that we encounter daily and letting you know there is something you can do about it.
First let’s focus on hormone disrupters. This is huge as hormones are the single most powerful molecules in our body. And the bad news? Hormone disruptors are everywhere—and they might be the reason your thyroid, adrenal, heart, hormones, or overall health isn’t improving, no matter what you do. The list of damage they cause is quite extensive.
Here’s the alarming part. These disruptors don’t just come from obvious toxins in our environment like pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, or other pollutants, they’re often hiding in your kitchen, your clothing, your shower, and even your trash bags.
Let’s uncover some of the hidden hormone disruptors that might be affecting you:
1. Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
- Non-Stick Cookware: Many non-stick pans release PFAS into the air when heated.
- Water-Resistant Clothing: Jackets, workout clothes, and other sweat/water-resistant items are often treated with PFAS.
- Food Packaging: Grease-resistant wrappers and takeout containers commonly contain PFAS.
PFAS, also called “forever chemicals,” are linked to hormone disruption and can build up in the body over time, potentially affecting everything from hormone levels to thyroid function to fertility.
2. Bisphenols (BPA, BPS)
- Thermal Paper Receipts: Handling receipts printed on thermal paper can expose you to BPA or BPS. These chemicals are absorbed into the skin at levels 250-1000 times higher than from food packaging.
- Plastic Containers: BPA is found in many plastic bottles and containers, especially if heated.
- Canned Foods: BPA is used in the linings of most canned goods.
BPA and BPS mimic estrogen, which can throw off your hormone balance.
Many are concerned about BPA in food cans, and rightly so we should but, the exposure from receipts is much higher and even more harmful.
But BPA-free doesn’t necessarily make a product safer. A 2011 study found that over 90% of plastic products marketed as BPA-free released chemicals with estrogenic activity, sometimes greater than BPA-containing plastics.
3. Personal Care Products
- Fragrances in Baby Wipes: Many baby wipes contain fragrances that are not required to disclose their chemical components. Some have even tested positive for PFAs.
- Trash Bags and Household Items: Many trash bags are treated with fragrance – a massive hormone disruptor that’s difficult to avoid unless you’re vigilant.
- Cosmetics and Skincare Products: Parabens and triclosan in these products mimic estrogen, leading to hormonal disruptions.
These disruptors are absorbed directly into the skin, often bypassing the body’s natural defense systems. Always read labels and opt for fragrance-free options whenever possible.
4. Fluoride and Chemicals in Tap Water
- Shower Steam Exposure: It’s not just about drinking tap water—when we shower, chemicals like chlorine and fluoride can be inhaled through steam, increasing their impact.
- Tap Water: Fluoride, chlorine, and other contaminants are common in municipal water supplies.
Even if you filter your drinking water, it’s important to consider how you’re exposed in other ways, like through showers or cooking or swimming in public pools.
Just a short 10-minute shower gives you the same amount of chlorine as drinking 8 glasses of tap water.
The solution? A carbon filter will help drop levels dramatically. Better yet, get whole-house filtration.
5. Microplastics in Everyday Items
- Coffee Cups with Wax Linings: Many disposable coffee cups contain a chemical called polyethylene to make them waterproof. Hot beverages can cause around 25,000 microplastic particles to leach into your drink.
- Tea Bags: One cup of tea can contain 11.6 billion microplastic particles. Bags are sprayed with plastic to make them tougher, and even the glue contains microplastics.
These microplastics accumulate throughout our body, affecting hormones, reducing sperm counts, and even affecting tissues and arteries.
The solution? One is to bring your own cup and avoid plastic tea bags.
These disruptors are not just harmful—they’re persistent. And they’re often hiding in the places you’d least expect, impacting your health every day.
The good news? Your body has been “fearfully and wonderfully made” and has been designed to be well!
Once you identify these disruptors and how they’re affecting your health, you can take action to reduce your exposure and start the healing process.
So, give us a call if this is something you’d like to pursue or discuss further. Schedule your consultation to find out how we can help you achieve “the best performance of your life!”.
God bless,
DrB
