Hormone Disruption
This article will outline the main endocrine disruptors we are regularly exposed to, providing links to supplementary information about how these hormone disruptors are wreaking havoc within our bodies.
It is important to read this article in full before returning to the links to take a deeper dive into the subject.
Discover hormone disrupting substances in more detail.
Hormone Disruption Isn’t Picky!
We are exposed to hormone disrupting compounds within our food and water, our home and work / school environments, as well as in the great outdoors… Sadly, we exposed to most of them in our kitchens and bathrooms, which SHOULD be two of the safest environments we spend time in!
Yes… there really is no way of escaping endocrine disrupting chemicals and compounds. But, we CAN dramatically limit our exposure by cleaning up our diet and our immediate environments…
And, the saying; ‘prevention is better than cure’ has never been more true than in relation to environmental toxins which devastate the proper function of our chemical messengers, aka our Hormones!
Do all you can to avoid them, and then turn to a natural lifestyle, a few natural supplements and essential oils for the rest!
Hormone Health Part Nine
This is the ninth article devoted to hormone health on the Wild As The Wind website. You can find a list of all the other Hormone Health articles by following the link.
Our Hormones Are Being Compromised By Our Health Choices!
Hormonal contraceptives are not lodged with the patent office as hormonal contraceptives. They are listed as HORMONE DISRUPTORS!
Because, that’s precisely what those products do… and not only for the people taking them… but for everyone else as well!
Hormones, like antibiotics don’t get broken down by the body, and so they pass into the water supply in the same form they were ingested! This means that our water supply is becoming more and more saturated with these synthetic, harmful substances every live-long day of the year.
Hormonal contraception is even more controversial than this. Some see ‘the pill’ as a female lobotomy because of the many unpleasant side effects experienced by so many women who take it.
Our Hormone Health Is Being Compromised By Our Environment
Tragically, our environment is growing increasingly toxic owing to the incredible driving force of industry, and the seemingly insatiable desire for profit.
Nothing describes the incredible stupidity with which humans are exploiting the precious resources on planet earth, and the appalling cruelty being inflicted on our fellow animals, than this brilliant animation by Steve Cutts.
This article, by Erin Brockovich, is a horrifying read, which predicts all men will be sterile by 2045! :: Plummeting sperm counts, shrinking penises: toxic chemicals threaten humanity
We Know Not What We Do!
Most of the chemicals and other toxic substances we are routinely using in manufacturing processes, and as raw materials in the products we are using daily, are to a large extent, not fully understood.
The impact on the human body, and that of our fellow creatures, is therefore largely misunderstood.
Despite egregious levels of arrogance, we really don’t know it all, and, it would be eminently prudent to admit this fact, and soon! It is long since time to proceed with abundant caution, instead of the hitherto gay abandon with which we have plunged ourselves into a global toxic morass.
If you feel the same way, then you may want to add your signature to the Polly Higgins global initiative to make crimes against our beautiful planet unlawful, under a statute which recognises ECOCIDE.
Ecocide simply means the death of our environment.
And crimes against our planet are visited upon us!
I love that this article in The Guardian by Erin Brockovich doesn’t mince it’s words! It adroitly raises the issues we are facing, but doesn’t list the toxins we most need to avoid. (I list them further along in this article….)
Plummeting sperm counts, shrinking penises: toxic chemicals threaten humanity
And, this one is a stark warning to us all…
‘Forever Chemicals’ — Linked to Billions in U.S. Health Costs — Could Undermine Economy
It’s Time To Start Taking Responsibility For Our Health!
Tragically, because we live in a world that is putting profit before people and the planet, it really is high time that we start informing ourselves about the consequences.
Plus, we need to get beyond the idea that there is ‘a pill for every ill’. The opposite is actually true! Prescription drugs, taken as prescribed, is the third biggest killer worldwide. [Source: US Government Website]
Nature has ‘got our back’, but only if we are willing to live naturally, and start relying on our natural immunity and natural ability to self heal. And that means, learning how to do that!
So, taking responsibility is key! We need to know what is harming us and what will heal us. This article will hopefully save you a lot of time and internet searches. It lists the main issues we are facing.
Hormone Dysfunction Diagnosis
Because the impact of tens of thousands of manmade environmental toxins are not understood, no amount of hormone testing is delivering accurate results.
Plus, a lot of the tests, especially where the Thyroid is concerned, are woefully inadequate, because they are not geared up to anticipate very simple dietary deficiencies.
Big Pharma, or the pharmaceutical industry, cannot profit from dietary healing protocols, and so they have no interest in them.
Big Pharma can only profit from synthetic chemical compounds that mimic the healing power of plant based foods as well as non-edible plants. Patents are only possible for their own chemical compounds and not those that are naturally occurring in nature.
It is my belief that our bodies are screaming under the weight of all of these synthesised chemical isolates. These chemical isolates are not, in any way, a true reflection of the beautiful complexity and synergy found within nature, the true breadth and depth of which we have no means of comprehending.
To know a little is dangerous.
To act on it, as though you know it all, is not ignorance… it is evil!
Problems Caused By Hormone Dysfunction Misdiagnosis
Many hormone issues are so badly misdiagnosed they lead to entirely unnecessary surgical and pharmaceutical interventions.
There are many ways in which Thyroid dysfunction is misdiagnosed.
Most of these interventions are irreversible.
Considering that the statistics governing Thyroid dysfunction within the Western world range between 50% to 90% of the population this is something that should make us all sit up and pay attention.
This article will touch upon some of the ways in which modern medicine deals with hormone health… as well as offering links to some of the natural alternative methods of achieving, safe and lasting hormone balance…
Xenoestrogens, Obesogens & Volatile Organic Compounds
Xenoestrogens, or Synthetic Oestrogens, are profoundly disruptive to our delicate hormonal system. These Xenoestrogens are slushing around in our homes and wider environments, as well as in our foods and our skincare and healthcare products.
Xenoestrogens are found in plastics, fire retardants, till receipts, the new £10.00 and £5.00 notes, as well as in our water. Yes, chlorine is not only disastrous for gut health because it kills the friendly bacteria which makes up 80% of our immune system, but chlorine is also Xenoestrogenic.
It just makes you want to run out and buy a Berkey Water Filter doesn’t it!?
Because Xenoestrogens are in all of our soft furnishings, including our cushions, our couches, our carpets, our pillows, our duvets, our mattresses etc etc… this means our homes, schools and work places are utterly awash with them.
Memory foam is particularly lethal, particularly due to extended periods of close proximity.
Ironically, memory foam is the most likely product in our homes to cause us to develop memory loss.
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs used in the production of memory foam may include isocyanates, which are known to cause irritation to our eyes, nose, throat, and skin.
It doesn’t take a huge leap to realise, that when inhaled, these isocyanates go directly into the brain and do the same thing… just as much as essential oils do exactly the same thing, but to healing effect.
As they accumulate – alone or accompanied by any of a number of other toxins we’re exposed to – they can affect literally any body function. Benzene is positively linked to leukaemia; styrene to a variety of neurological symptoms, that include numbness, loss of sensation, paralysis, convulsions, toxic encephalopathy (brain fog), mood swings, memory loss, as well as arrhythmia, weakness, fatigue, spastic colon or asthma…
Many volatile organic compounds are known as Obesogens, because of their ability to make us fat very rapidly. Many of the main Obesogens are covered in the article Weight Gain & Resistant Weight Loss… Because… yes, Obesogens don’t only make us fat… they also prevent us from losing weight as well!
Aren’t they just everybody’s friend!?
Some Obesogens are Xenoestrogens… it gets confusing!
That is until you realises that Xenoestrogens, Obesogens and VOC’s are all simply manmade toxic substances!
Xenoestrogens Are Everywhere
Have you had a a takeaway meal or coffee recently? Or how about a plastic clad microwave meal? If you’ve had any of these things you will have consumed a good amount of Xenoestrogens and Obesogens!
But how come you’re still feeling fine and the scales aren’t tipping against you?
You must be uniquely exempt from the effects of these incredibly toxic compounds… right?
NAH-AH! WRONG!
These evil little critters bio-accumulate… so the greater the exposure, the more Xenoestrogens, Obesogens and VOC’s build up in the body.
When you reach your own individual chemical tipping point, you will start to see the signs of systemic dysfunction. This will include:
- Cellulite
- Wrinkles and other signs of ageing
- Weight gain
- Brain fog
- Systemic inflammation
- Chronic pain
- Emotional issues
- Skin problems which are inflammatory and sore as well as disfiguring, like Psoriasis & Eczema & Acne
So, there’s already a lot to look forward to there!
Phytoestrogens
Phytoestrogens are plant based Oestrogens. The worst one, by far, in my estimations, is Soy based Phytoestrogens.
Phytoestrogens can cause us issues just like Xenoestrogens.
However, certain Phytoestrogenic foods are extremely useful.
Linseed, for example, is a Phytoestrogen which has been scientifically proven to be as effective as HRT in managing the symptoms of Menopause.
Clinically, the data demonstrate a statistically significant improvement in hot flash frequency.
[Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24606716/]
A 2002 study, published in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, found that supplementing with 40 grams of ground flaxseeds is as effective as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) at raising oestrogen levels and improving mild menopausal symptoms.
A very exciting 3-month study compared four groups: 5g of flaxseed + training about menopause, 5g of flaxseed without training about menopause, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or a control group that received no therapy. Menopause symptoms improved by 9% in the flax group, 9.8% in the flax/training group, 10% in the HRT group and got worse by 7% in the control group, meaning that flax is similarly effective to HRT. Actually, though, it’s better. Because Quality of Life scores declined even more in the HRT group than in the group that did nothing, but improved in the flaxseed group (1). So flax improves life for menopausal women more than hormones do.
Flax: Improves Life More than Hormone Replacement Therapy
Can Other Foods Help?
The resounding answer to this question is YES! Choosing the right foods and eating a healthy diet is profoundly important.
Food is information! It triggers positive or negative processes within our bodies.
Pomegranates are thought to be very helpful in regulating Oestrogen.
Eating fruit, such as pomegranates, that contain anti-aromatase phytochemicals reduces the incidence of hormone-dependent breast cancer…
[Source: Science Daily]
Pomegranates also support Liver health. Our Livers are responsible for eliminating spent hormones, so if it is sluggish, hormones can back-up.
The 16 Best Foods for Liver Health on the Dr. Jockers website is a great resource for learning more about important foods for Liver and hormonal health.
Also, Adaptogenic Herbs, in particular Ashwagandha, are extremely helpful. Adaptogens reduce Cortisol, which helps to preserve Progesterone.
Cortisol is our stress hormone, along with our Adrenaline. Reducing stress is pivotal to reclaiming hormonal balance.
Essential Oils are exceptionally helpful in reducing stress.
Then There’s Dioxins
Dioxins, found in meat and dairy products as well as in soil, are a by-product of combustion.
Dioxins are lipophilic compounds which accumulate in the fat of animals. The types of foods which tend to have the highest dioxin concentrations are dairy products, meat and poultry, eggs, fish, and animal fats
Dioxins negatively impact neurodevelopment, and they alter thyroid function.
Dioxins are one of the few substances mentioned in this article which have more of an adverse effect on men than on women.
Dioxins cause de-masculinisation of the male hypothalamus and reduces male sex behaviour.
***Eating vegetables and fruits is thought to offer protection from Dioxins.
Detox protocols are also useful.
This Affects Men & Women
Excessive Oestrogens are really not good for men as well as women. The risk of cancer increases exponentially for everyone.
Men, just as much as women, are struggling with insufficient Progesterone to mitigate the amount of synthetic Oestrogens in our environment. We can see the results in male mammary growth and distended guts, which are reminiscent of an eight month baby bump.
And for women, of course, the existence of Xenoestrogens is so much worse than excesses in our natural Oestrogenic Hormones! But now, both excesses are an issue, not just imbalanced natural Oestrogens, which have always been a problem throughout the ages.
Women use natural Progesterone within the body to make the stress hormone Cortisol. And, because women are facing the highest levels of stress they have ever had to deal with… This means female Oestrogen levels are off the charts and Progesterone levels are on the floor…
For women, the Oestrogen issue is a perfect storm… and the upshot is always going to be very ugly!
We need to reduce our stress, and we need to manage the stress we can’t avoid a whole lot better.
STRESS Quick Fix
We can also supplement with PQQ and even Co Q10…
PQQ & Co Q10 supplementation has been shown to restore homeostasis to the gut and the rest of the body, thereby de-stressing us in the process. PQQ actually protects us from the damaging effects of heavy metals and restores our energy levels and clarity of thought. It also reduces inflammation!
How Do Xenoestrogens Do Their Worst
Xenoestrogens lock onto cell receptor sites, refusing to let go. Conversely, naturally created hormones dock in hormone cell receptor sites in order to deliver their message, and then they fall away to be be processed out of the body via the Liver.
But, because Xenoestrogens are just artificial imposters, which serve no earthly good within our bodies, at all, this means that naturally occurring hormones, designed to transmit critically important messages in support of our systemic health, have an ever-decreasing number of cell receptor sites onto which to dock.
Because our natural hormones are unable to deliver their information to the rest of the body this ensures vital processes within the body remain uninitiated.
Dysfunction, therefore, becomes systemic.
Thieves Oil 2020 by Wild As The Wind forces Xenoestrogens to detach from receptor sites. It is suitable for both men and women.
As mentioned in Thyroid & The Skin Connection
Xenoestrogens increase Thyroid Binding Globulin, TBG, which makes it harder for our free hormones to bind to receptor sites…
An increase in TBG can result in an increase in T4 and T3, but, without there being an increase in hormone activity. Increased TBG levels can be caused by hypothyroidism, liver disease, pregnancy as well as Xenoestrogens.
Hormone Disrupting Foods
You can pretty much guarantee all chemicals in our environments and in our food are destroying our hormonal health on some level, but there’s certain food additives, like MSG, or Monosodium Glutamate, and other fake foods, like sweeteners, which are causing us a whole world of pain.
Also, the Dioxins in meat are a big issues, but so are Phytoestrogens, which I touched upon earlier.
Grantham asserts only the super-rich will be able to afford the protocols necessary to get pregnant.
Sugar Substitutes
We know our sugar substitutes are not doing us any good at all.
Don’t we!?
No…?
Well you will soon…
NutraSweet & Aspartame
Did you know that NutraSweet and Aspartame do the following?
- Ruin female sexual response
- Induce male sexual dysfunction
Now, I can’t imagine what would make you want to eat something which brings about those two little outcomes!
But, may be they aren’t telling us on the packets?
Global Non Sugar Sweeteners Market is accounted for $10.25 billion in 2017 and is expected to reach $13.85 billion by 2026 growing at a CAGR of 3.4%
And if they are, then there’s a lot of people using sugar substitutes that can’t read!
The Endocrine System & The Sugar Tax
Guess what? There’s aspartame in practically everything since they introduced the sugar tax in the UK in 2018!
And, guess what else?
Monsanto are utterly implicated in bringing Aspartame to the masses before selling it off to the highest bidder many years later… Read about Aspartame & Monsanto & The Sugar Tax…
Is Sugar Any Better?
Not really! It causes systemic Hormone issues also.
They Are Making Addicts Out Of Us
[VIDEO] Watch this brilliant appraisal of the food industries economic drive to enslave your tastebuds!
EMF’s
Radiation, which is creating electro-magnetic fields, from modern wireless technologies are causing all manner of systemic issues. There are a growing number of people who believe that Autism is caused by technological radiation.
But it’s the blue light from screens and the inability to produce Melatonin, which then prevents us from sleeping which is having a devastating affect on our endocrine systems.
Plus, it is said that children who are using their hand held devices for gaming, whilst reclining on couches, are holing their devices just where they need to be to damage the ovaries and testes. This is considered to be causing widespread infertility, and doubtless cancer further down the road.
Vaccines Are Chemical Messengers Too
Vaccines mimic hormones!
Yes, just like hormones, vaccines are chemical messengers too.
*Vaccines have an aluminium adjuvant which is an endocrine disruptor. This is being considered as a possible route cause of autism and other debilitating physical conditions.
However, Dr. Martin Pall puts a very convincing case together that electromagnetic fields from wireless technologies (our routers, radio phones, smart meters and baby monitors etc…) are the route cause of Autism.
Halides
The endocrine disrupting power of Halides is all down to the Thyroid needing the Halide Iodine. Thyroid Hormone is four parts Iodine and one part Tyrosine, so Iodine is critically important for Thyroid function.
Chlorine, fluoride, bromine, are also Halides.
Fluoride is found in most big brand toothpastes and some water supplies in the Western world… (check with your supplier)
Bromine is used in soft drinks, pesticides, asthma treatments, nasal sprays and baked goods etc…
A halide ion is a halogen atom bearing a negative charge. The halide anions are fluoride (F−), chloride (Cl−), bromide (Br−), iodide (I−) and astatide (At−). Such ions are present in all ionic halide salts. Halide minerals contain halides.
In the absence of Iodine, (with so little left in the soil due to intensive farming and the mineral depletion this causes), our Thyroids are desperately grasping around to find any old Halide to fulfil their functions.
All Halides can attach to Iodine receptors… So sadly, increasingly our Thyroids are relying on the more comprehensively available chlorine, bromine and fluoride…
***Fluoride, in most toothpastes, and some water supplies, facilitates a greater level of Aluminium absorption.
Research indicates that ingesting tamarind could help your body to detox fluoride, and subsequently helps to protect against skeletal fluorosis by enhancing excretion of fluoride.
[Source: Natural Society]
Read more about Adrenal Fatigue & Thyroid Dysfunction and it’s connection to our gut health.
Also, the Thyroid, as well as the Adrenals, are covered in Hormone Health Part Two and Hormone Health Part Eight, where the mechanical as well as environmental forms of Thyroid dysfunction are discussed alongside the issues of anxiety and depression.
Thyroid & Skin Health is such a big topic that I’ve written an article devoted to this subject also.
Heavy Metals
Heavy metals attach to hormone cell receptor sites also. They also get deposited all about the body, most dangerously ending up in the brain in some circumstances.
Heavy metals and their effects have already been covered quite comprehensively within another article so I won’t repeat myself here.
However, I strongly advise you to read Heavy Metal Toxicity & Hormone Health as it is an important companion piece to this article.
Perfumes & Fragrances
Perfume and fragranced products are really, really, really bad for us!
We have fragranced everything from toilet roll to tampons, and tissues to our means of transportation. It’s now almost impossible to find a free socket in any household because there’s all manner of chemical warfare issuing out of them in the form of air fresheners and mosquito killers.
Everything from fragranced candles to reed diffusers are all pretty ubiquitous, and all pretty evil…
And, all of the baby products which are fragranced are utterly criminal! As are plastic teethers, and all of the plastic toys.
Baby monitors, which rely on wireless technologies, are obviously pure evil… and we wonder why cot death is on the increase!!!
Cosmetic Xenoestrogens
There a lot of cosmetic hormone disrupting compounds. I have covered the main cosmetic hormone disrupting compounds in the article Skincare Ingredients To Avoid, so I recommend you read this when you have finished this article.
Nail Polish Is The Most Hormone Toxic Cosmetic
Did you know that most nail polish brands use a nasty cocktail of toxic chemicals that are also just as likely to be disrupting your endocrine system?
Toxic Ingredients In Nail Polish
There are several toxic ingredients in most nail polish. But, we wouldn’t have expected anything else, now would we?
TPHP (triphenyl phosphate)
TPHP is included in most nail polish formulations and is the very same constituent used by the furniture industry as a flame retardant. Owing to the fact that TPHP is proving to be such a broad-spectrum poison, it is subject to ongoing research. Scientists have already provided evidence to support the fact that it can affect our hormones, and thus our fertility levels. But they have also proven that it’s affecting the way in which children are developing as well as the way in which we metabolise the nutrients in our food.
Specific research into TPHP in nail polish has shown that a single application can increase TPHP by 700%. This is truly alarming, as a lot of women routinely remove old nail polish from their hands and feet and instantly apply another coat of polish immediately afterwards, locking in the toxins.
How Toxic Is Nail Polish Remover?
The short answer :: VERY!
So, the industry responded with acetone free nail polish remover, but this is also toxic…
There are cases of children and babies experiencing extremely severe side-effects with one reported case of a nine month old going into:
And, another 15 month old suffered severe toxicity after sucking on an identical product:
He became comatose with cardiorespiratory collapse requiring ventilation and intensive care, but made a complete recovery…
Acetone free nail polish removers contain the ingredient γ-butyrolactone (GBL) which is readily converted into γ-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), a substance that is known to be highly toxic.
Conditioning nail polish remover pads contain:
- GBL (84%)
- butoxyethanol (10%)
- diethylene glycol (2%)
- panthenol (1%)
- propylene glycol (1%).
So, may be best avoided…!?
Get more information on nail polish and other products in Skincare Ingredients To Avoid
How Do We Heal Hormone Receptor Sites?
All of the endocrine disrupting chemicals are really causing us no end of grief. But is it surprising that environmental chemicals are doing so much damage to our chemical messengers?
Yes, hormones are our chemical messengers!
Thankfully, essential oils have a significant role to play in restoring cell receptor sites, and ultimately hormone health.
Hormone Receptor Sites & Essential Oils
Essential Oils have a very significant role to play in Hormone health.
Rosemary Essential Oil
Rosemary Essential Oil may help to remove Xenoestrogens, Obesogens & Volatile Organic Compounds from Hormone receptor sites.
Rosemary Essential Oil has been clinically proven to outperform heavy-hitting detox essential oils like Oregano Essential Oil, Thyme Essential Oil and Clove Essential Oil when it comes to detoxing metals… A known Iron chelator, (pronounced key-lay-tor), Rosemary Essential Oil has earned a deserving place in Wild As The Wind Thieves Oil 2020 which is used for Hormone & EMF Detox, as well as for it’s profoundly anti-viral and antibacterial properties.
Phenol Containing Essential Oils
Phenol containing essential oils can also clear cell receptor sites.
Phenol concentration in essential oils:
- Star Anise Essential Oil 90% *
- Clove Essential Oil 80%
- Basil Essential Oil 70%
- Oregano Essential Oil 70%
- Thyme Essential Oil 48%
- Calamus Essential Oil 30%
- Cinnamon Bark Essential Oil 25%
- Cassia Essential Oil 8%
*Star Anise Essential Oil is also Oestrogenic
Thieves Oil 2020 for Hormone & EMF Detox by Wild As The Wind contains Phenolic essential oils, and is designed to clear hormone cell receptor sites of Xenoestrogens.
When our receptor sites have been cleared of Xenoestrogens, this sadly isn’t the end of the story.
The damage caused by the Xenoestrogens needs to be healed and the receptor sites need to be restored to being receptive to our natural hormones again.
This ultimately means that the healing processes equals a three part recovery process.
FACIAL OIL No. 2 or FACIAL OIL No. 8 address the issues of stage two and stage three in the healing process.
***It’s not possible to produce a product which addresses all three stages of the healing process, because Phenol containing essential oils should not be used as often as the other oils.
Other amazing detoxing essential oils include, Lemon, Grapefruit and Sweet Orange Essential Oils. I call them the Torso Trio as they are amazing at getting rid of difficult to shift abdominal fat…
Please feel free to comment on this article, and share it with anyone you think may benefit from it. Thanks.
Complementary Reading…
I recommend Hormone Health Part Five as a companion piece to this article.
Sweeteners Ruin Female Sexual Response & Induce Male Sexual Dysfunction
Best Essential Oils For Weight Loss + Digestive & Liver Health
Lemon & Cayenne Liver Support Drink
Coffee Enemas For Liver Cleansing *Detoxing The Major Detox Pathway
Best Essential Oils For Weight Loss + Digestive & Liver Health
Hormone Health Part One
Disclaimer
The information provided is not intended to replace the medical directives of your healthcare provider. This information is not meant for the diagnosis of health issues. If you are pregnant, have serious or multiple health concerns, consult with your healthcare provider before using essential oils or associated products. If you experience any complications or adverse reactions contact your healthcare provider.
Deepen your knowledge by using the Wild As The Wind Recommended Resources
Another resource you may find useful can be found by following the link below. *Please note, I use sources from the Recommended Resources list as well as sources from the Healthcare and Skincare Information Sources list when researching articles for the Wild As The Wind Blog.
Best Healthcare and Skincare Information Sources.
Wild As The Wind use a number of resources when deciding which formulas to put together for optimal healing and efficacy, as well as to support any health claims we may make.
We owe a particular debt to GreenMedInfo
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