How Toxins Can Be Affecting Your Hormones

Unfortunately, we live in a world where toxins are abundant. We know it can be a scary topic, but we want to give you the best information to help you feel in control of your health. So today we’re going to talk about endocrine disruptors - what they are, the harm they cause, and how you can minimize their effect in your life. 

Environmental toxins such as heavy metals, BPA, phthalates, and more can disrupt your hormones, and mess with your overall health in ways you may not even realize. Research has linked these endocrine disruptors to health effects such as breast cancer, fertility issues, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and more.  

And the bad news is, these endocrine disruptors are pretty much everywhere - in plastics, skincare products, cleaning solutions, pesticides, and more. But the good news is, there are easy changes you can make to reduce your exposure to environmental toxins and endocrine disruptors. 

You don’t have to spend a ton of money to “go green” in every area of your life, nor do you need to stress about doing everything perfectly.

Any changes you can make to improve your environment make a difference, so let’s get started:

1. Work Up a Sweat

Luckily, our bodies have really good systems for detoxifying themselves, and one of the quickest and easiest to kickstart is our bodies’ ability to sweat. Whether you want to try out heated yoga or sit and relax in a sauna, sweat can help you excrete toxins through your skin. Just make sure you shower immediately after so you don’t reabsorb all those toxins.

2. Drink Plenty of Water 

Get your natural detoxification system working by drinking plenty of water each day to help your body flush out toxins. To figure out how much water you should be drinking, divide your body weight in half and drink that many ounces of water per day (130lbs = 65 oz. water per day). Opt for filtered water in a reusable glass or stainless steel water bottle to avoid plastic contaminants.

3. Ditch the Plastic 

Plastic is problematic for a number of reasons - but nowhere is that more true than when it comes to your food. Plastic containers leach chemicals into your food and water, especially when heated. If you use plastic containers to store and reheat food, try swapping out your tupperware for glass storage containers or even mason jars. An added bonus? Glass is way easier to clean and won’t hold onto food smells.

4. Clean Up Your Act

Making gradual swaps can make big impacts when it comes to your exposure of environmental toxins. Before you replace or buy new cosmetics, skincare items, or cleaning products, check out how your products rank on The Environmental Working Group (EWG). You can search their site and find plenty of budget-friendly swaps for cleaner products.

5. Eat Detoxifying Foods 

We know it can sometimes be tough to eat organic all the time, but there are some dietary changes that will give you more bang for your buck. Use EWG’s list of the dirty dozen to determine what produce you might want to buy organic. Also make sure your diet includes plenty of cruciferous vegetables (think broccoli, brussel sprouts, kale) and antioxidant-rich fiber sources (seeds, berries, leafy greens) to help support your body’s daily detoxification. 
 
We know you can’t completely eliminate toxins, but we hope the five steps we listed are helpful when it comes to significantly reducing your exposure. Your hormones will thank you.