It is no secret that we are exposed to more toxic chemicals today than we've ever been. Many of these are found in products consumers unknowingly utilize daily. They often lack proper regulation, and studies on adverse health effects are limited. Thankfully, researchers continue to uncover how endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) interact with our biology and how they impact health. Let's take a deeper dive to understand what these chemicals are, where they're found, and their impact on various organ systems in the body.
The Endocrine System
Understanding the endocrine system's fundamental roles is essential to appreciate the influence of EDCs. This system consists of several glands, including the thyroid, pituitary, hypothalamus, and many others. The body depends on these glands for proper hormone production, which controls several biological processes such as fertility, reproduction, normal growth, brain development, energy, and metabolism [1], [2].
What are Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals?
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals are a broad array of compounds that interfere with the endocrine system and are connected to various health issues. These artificial and natural chemicals can block, mimic, or interfere with the body's natural hormone processes [1]. Furthermore, evidence suggests these chemicals may also interfere with metabolism and contribute to obesity. Below are two categories that describe these subtypes further.
Obesogens—Once in the body, these chemicals can disturb normal lipid metabolism and contribute to obesity [3],[4].
Diabetogens- These chemicals can disrupt or kill beta cells in the pancreas and inhibit normal energy metabolism, which may lead to diabetes [3].
Where are These Chemicals Found?
Exposure to EDCs occurs through skin, inhalation, contaminated food or water, transfer from mother to fetus via the placenta, or to infant through breastfeeding [5]. Some of the most common EDCs include glyphosate, phthalates, dioxins, phenol, brominated flame retardants, parabens, triclosan, and perfluorochemicals. These chemicals are found in plastics, personal care products, pesticides, products for children, anti-bacterials, industrial byproducts, and textiles [5].
How Does This Impact Health?
Studies show varying degrees of physiological effects on health, and we are still learning more through research. The systems below have some of the most substantial evidence revealing how EDCs influence their biological processes.
Reproduction- The effects of EDCs on reproductive organs can lead to disorders such as infertility, early puberty, premature menopause, abnormal menstrual cycles, and adverse pregnancy outcomes [6]. Bisphenol A and phthalates are both associated with an increased risk of harmful birth outcomes such as decreased placental weight and impaired fetal growth [7], [8].
Metabolic- EDCs are believed to cause weight gain by altering proper lipid metabolism. Some mechanisms behind this include modifying endocrine pathways and hormones that regulate appetite and basal metabolic rate [9]. For example, monosodium glutamate (MSG), used in food seasonings, impairs the secretion of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) [10]. GLP-1 is a gut hormone that contributes to insulin release and regulates satiety. This is necessary to signal to your body that it's time to stop eating.
Thyroid- Various EDCs impact this gland by interfering with thyroid signaling, including reducing total T3, free T4, and thyroglobulin while increasing thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) [2].
Ways to Limit Exposure
Although we will undoubtedly encounter these chemicals and cannot avoid them altogether, we can limit exposure. Anytime we can lessen the toxic burden in our body, the better it can channel energy toward necessary processes like immune regulation, proper hormone signaling, and various metabolic functions.
One widely available resource is the Environmental Working Group (EWG). This group embodies scientists, attorneys, and health experts who provide up-to-date research so consumers can make informed decisions when choosing products [11]. Other ways to limit exposure include heating food in glass containers instead of plastic, limiting fragrance, choosing organic produce when possible, cooking at home, avoiding non-stick cookware, and using clean skincare products.
Summary
We cannot completely avoid exposure to all chemicals, but we can be mindful of our intake. Taking time to swap out toxic products and obtaining food from a local source can be a great place to start. Thankfully, research continues to uncover more about these chemicals and their impact on our bodies. This may lead to better regulatory policies in the future and serve as a better guide for consumers to make educated decisions.
References
1. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Endocrine Disruptors. (2023). Retrieved from https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/endocrine
2. Meeker, John D, and Kelly K Ferguson. “Relationship between urinary phthalate and bisphenol A concentrations and serum thyroid measures in U.S. adults and adolescents from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007-2008.” Environmental health perspectives vol. 119,10 (2011): 1396-402. doi:10.1289/ehp.1103582
3. Endocrine Society. Impact of EDCs on Metabolism and Obesity. (2024). Retrieved from https://www.endocrine.org/topics/edc/what-edcs-are/common-edcs/metabolic#:~:text=When%20EDCs%20block%20connections%20between,a%20person%20to%20gain%20weight.
4. Casals-Casas, Cristina, and Béatrice Desvergne. “Endocrine disruptors: from endocrine to metabolic disruption.” Annual review of physiology vol. 73 (2011): 135-62. doi:10.1146/annurev-physiol-012110-142200
5. Endocrine Society. Hormones and Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals, What You Need to Know. (2024). Retrieved from https://www.endocrine.org/-/media/endocrine/files/patient-engagement/hormones-and-series/hormones_and_edcs_what_you_need_to_know.pdf#:~:text=They%20have%20been%20linked%20to,and%20learning%20disabilities%2C%20and%20more.
6. Gore, A C et al. “EDC-2: The Endocrine Society's Second Scientific Statement on Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals.” Endocrine reviews vol. 36,6 (2015): E1-E150. doi:10.1210/er.2015-1010
7. Ranjit, N et al. “Bisphenol-A and disparities in birth outcomes: a review and directions for future research.” Journal of perinatology : official journal of the California Perinatal Association vol. 30,1 (2010): 2-9. doi:10.1038/jp.2009.90
8. Snijder, Claudia A et al. “Occupational exposure to chemical substances and time to pregnancy: a systematic review.” Human reproduction update vol. 18,3 (2012): 284-300. doi:10.1093/humupd/dms005
9. Gupta, Radhika et al. “Endocrine disruption and obesity: A current review on environmental obesogens.” Current Research in Green and Sustainable Chemistry vol. 3 (2020): 100009. doi:10.1016/j.crgsc.2020.06.002
10. Shannon, Maeve et al. “The endocrine disrupting potential of monosodium glutamate (MSG) on secretion of the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) gut hormone and GLP-1 receptor interaction.” Toxicology letters vol. 265 (2017): 97-105. doi:10.1016/j.toxlet.2016.11.015
11. Environmental Working Group. (2024). Our Team. Retrieved from https://www.ewg.org/who-we-are/our-team
Jung, Eui-Man et al. “Protective effects of Korean Red Ginseng against toxicity of endocrine-disrupting chemicals.” [Photograph]. Journal of ginseng research vol. 47,2 (2023): 193-198. doi:10.1016/j.jgr.2022.11.00
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