Household Hormone Disrupting Chemicals and Anxiety

We are exposed to many hormone disruptors in our day to day life. This is something that scientists have been talking about for a while now. The commonly used name for these chemicals is “Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals” or EDCs. They include plastics used to line cans, coat store receipts and store food in, chemicals in cosmetics and personal care products, household cleaners and so on. 

EDCs are an issue because they can lead to confusion in our hormonal systems. For example, chemicals that look and behave like estrogen can enter our bodies and trigger all kinds of responses that may not have happened from our own naturally occurring estrogen. 

The impact that these chemicals have on reproductive issues and certain cancers is widely discussed. The impact on mental health is less known. 

Some research shows that EDCs can affect brain function and may impact addictive behaviours and other behaviours in animals. Other research is showing that EDCs can impair memory, learning and focus. Because of this impact on the brain and nervous system, some scientists wonder if these chemicals can worsen anxiety and other mental health disorders. A lot more research needs to be done but many individuals are eager to take action now to reduce EDCs in their life. 

It’s hard to avoid EDCs completely because many persist in our environment in our soil, water and air. That being said, there may be some simple things you can do at home to attempt to reduce your exposure. This includes reducing plastic containers, being cautious about the cosmetics, creams and soaps you use and swapping some common household cleaners for simple DIY ones you can make yourself out of kitchen ingredients. 

If you have more questions about your hormones and what could be impacting them, feel free to contact me about setting up a free 15 minute consultation so we can discuss your hormone health goals. 

Chemicals and Your Thyroid

In a previous article on a similar topic I discussed how household chemicals can impact hormones. In this article I go into more detail on how specifically the thyroid may be affected by self care products. I also list some of my favourite natural alternatives that I use for self care.

It’s not yet clear how exactly chemicals hurt the thyroid. Most of the chemicals studied decrease thyroid function. Some over-stimulate the thyroid. This is a very difficult area to make conclusions about. Chemical effects happen so gradually over time so it’s hard to detect in a study. Much of the research is in its early stages but it's gaining attention.

Not all the chemicals that may hurt the thyroid are in self care products, but some are. Until more is known on this subject it may be worthwhile to play it safe.

What About Antibodies

When you have an auto-immune thyroid condition, your body produces antibodies that lead to an attack on your thyroid. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease both fall into this category. Hashimoto’s is the most common cause of hypothyroidism. Graves’ is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. 

There is emerging research showing that certain chemicals can increase thyroid antibodies. 

Often people with auto-immune thyroid conditions are genetically predisposed to them. It’s believed that a trigger may be the final straw that “activates” the condition in such people. Possible triggers include infections, mental or physical stress, nutrition levels and chemicals.

Product Inventory

Here are some potential products to keep your eye on with some alternatives that I love:

- Soap with triclosan: choose soaps without this antibacterial ingredient or more natural soaps like castile soaps

- Fragranced perfumes, soaps, shampoos, conditioners, creams: either get more natural versions from a health food store or at least fragrance-free versions

- Perfume: switch to essential oils (many places sell great blends)

- Body, hand, face creams: switch to oils and keep them in a glass jar (yes, it’s long been established that even oily skin benefits from certain plant oils) 

o Face: right now, I blend jojoba and olive oil, I’ve also done grapeseed or almond oil

o Body: in the summer I prefer coconut which is often not hydrating enough for winter, in the winter I prefer olive or grapeseed oil

o If you’re attached to creams use cocoa or shea butter. These have to be melted. You can also use a blender to combine them with other oils so they stay soft.

- Nail polish: I can’t think of a good alternative so I just limit my use!

- Hair spray: same idea as nail polish 

- Exfoliant: just use sugar, coffee or salt blended with some olive or almond oil

- Masks: stick with masks that are just clay combined with some plant oils/ herbs

- Lip balm: use 100% shea in a little glass jar, it warms up as you rub it with your finger

- Spot treatment: tea tree oil or castor oil

- Face cleanser: I don’t wear full makeup often so when I do I will use a makeup remover even if it’s not 100% natural. Otherwise, when I just wear eye makeup I remove my eye makeup with olive oil and wash my face with honey

Try using this list to do a little inventory of your self care products. Pick and chose what you want to swap out.

If you want to learn more about how naturopathic medicine can help your thyroid, book and appointment or free-15 minute consult.

How Everyday Products Can Impact Your Hormones

Many household products contain ingredients that have been shown to alter hormonal systems. These ingredients are called “endocrine disruptors”. Now, I have no intention to make you feel paranoid with this article. I would just like to provide some information for you to mull over. Maybe it’ll help you make some changes with the products you stock your home with. Or maybe you’ll decide that nothing stated here makes you worried enough to change things up. The point is that you’re informed for your own health journey!

 

Overview: Some Important Lists

If you’re wondering what I mean by “household products” here are some examples:

- plastics (containers, packaging, wrappings etc.)

- antiperspirants, fragrances, cosmetics

- moisturizers and hair dyes

- air fresheners, detergents and cleaning products

And it’s more than just BPA, parabens and aluminum I'm talking about. There are other ingredients that have been shown to impact hormone systems. Ingredients like:

- preservatives and plasticizers

- anti-aging ingredients

- ingredients to give the product a certain texture

- fragrances added to products

The hormones that have been affected in studies are estrogen, progesterone, androgens (like testosterone) and thyroid hormones. The catch is that a lot of this research is in animals so it must be taken with a grain of salt. Scientists are still debating over the role these products play in human health. There are hypotheses about these products playing a role in:

- Breast and other types of cancer, benign breast cysts, fibroadenomas

- Diabetes, obesity and metabolic syndrome

- Infertility

Studies may find that a specific chemical does not cause a disease. However, we're not exposed to just one chemical. We're exposed to many. There is little information about the cumulative effect of all these chemicals.

 

What to Do

It can create a lot of anxiety to worry about everything in your environment. I believe it’s best to balance being cautious with being practical.

Pick and choose the products you want to replace with more natural alternatives. Many people opt for a good quality plant oil to moisturize with rather than a synthetic cream. There are many DIY recipes online for household cleaners. Swapping plastic containers for glass is another popular option. Also, there’s the option of using natural deodorants or avoiding fragrances.

I tend to use simple kitchen ingredients for a lot of things. If you’re going to buy pre-made natural products at the store be sure to read the ingredients. Don’t pay a high price for something that seems all-natural but is not. Don’t assume that just because a store looks “naturey” it means the products are all-natural.

Even herbs and nutrients can play a role in hormonal health. If you need some guidance on hormonal health book an appointment or free 15-minute consultation.

Sources

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