Prediabetes and Hormone Disruptors: Q and A

Did you know hormone disruptors increase your chances for Diabetes, Obesity, PCOS, Thyroid problems and other bad stuff too? Your health depends on this info. So let's get right into today's talk: Prediabetes and Hormone Disruptors: Q and A.

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Q. What Is A Hormone Disruptor?

Hormone disruptors are chemicals that affect your hormones.

Hormone disruptors are ALL around us!

There are hormone disruptors in:

Pesticides
Plastics
Pollution
Makeup and Cosmetics
Electronics
Cleaning Products
Kitchen Utensils and Kitchenware
Personal Care Products
and a whole bunch of other things (like tattoos...see the end of this post!)

(So you know, a bit later I’ll give you a big list AND how you can avoid hormone disruptors.)

Q. What Does A Hormone Disruptor Do?

Hormone disruptors cause the glands that make your hormones to stop working properly.

This is bad because hormone disruptors can cause metabolic problems like:

Diabetes
Obesity
Excess weight you can't lose (no matter how hard you try)
Thyroid disease
Sex hormone problems (PCOS and other problems, men and women)
ADHD, social problems
Bone health issues
Heart disease
Cognitive problems (this means your brain doesn't work properly)
And even cancer

Sometimes hormone disruptors are called endocrine disruptors...this is because the glands that make your hormones are called endocrine glands.

endocrine = the glands in the body that make hormones

A hormone disruptor can make some, or all, of your endocrine glands malfunction (this is not good).

Your Pancreas is an endocrine gland

Your Thyroid is an endocrine gland

Your Ovaries are endocrine glands

Your Adrenals are endocrine glands

Q. Are Hormone Disruptors Linked To Diabetes?

Yes!

Scientists now know that many hormone disruptors (man-made chemicals)...

in the air,
in our homes,
in our food,
and in manufacturing, oil and gas, coal and industrial facilities...

...are increasing the risk for Diabetes (and lots of other diseases).

Q. Why Are Hormone Disruptors Linked To Diabetes?

One of the biggest reasons why hormones disruptors are soooooooooo bad is because...

Many hormone disruptors

mimic estrogen.

This means your body 'sort of thinks' these chemicals ARE estrogen!

This is very, very, very, very, very, very bad because...

Estrogen is one of the hormones that controls how you react to insulin... so guess what happens when you have too much estrogen... INSULIN RESISTANCE!

(both females AND males have estrogen in their bodies)

In fact, hormone disruptors that mimic estrogen make your body react with a 'pregnancy-like metabolic state' that includes insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia.

If this continues, you'll get insulin resistance, then Prediabetes, then Type 2 Diabetes.

So, because hormone disruptors will increase your risk for Diabetes... you need to start avoiding hormone disruptors like yesterday.

BPA (bisphenol A) - AVOID THIS!

BPA = in many plastics and 'plastic can coating' in most canned foods.

BPA = obesogenic (fancy word for 'it makes you fat')

BPA = disrupts your normal metabolic activity

BPA concentrations are higher in women with PCOS than in healthy women.

You need to avoid BPA!

Q. What Are The Hormone Disruptors You Need To Avoid?

OK, before your freak out about this list, you have to understand that there is probably nowhere you can go on this planet and not be exposed to some sort of hormone disruptor.

There is even pollution residue in Arctic ice!

But... with a few simple replacements or changes in your lifestyle, you can avoid a lot of these AND limit your exposure to the ones you totally can't avoid.

(Tip: you can sort the table's contents by clicking on the arrows in the top column.)

(And if you're on a mobile phone and can't see all the columns in the table, just swipe right or left to see the rest of the table.)

Where?	Hormone Disruptor	Alternative
FOOD	Any food containers (plastic) with BPA. This includes cans. All soda cans have BPA linings.	Storing food in plastic is not the greatest, use glass instead. NEVER put hot food in plastic.
FOOD	BBQ, broiled or grilled meat.	Avoid charbroiled and blackened meat and meat with black cooking marks.
HOME	Bug sprays	Don't use them. Keep a clean home and vacuum often. Don’t leave food where bugs can find it.
HOME	Building materials: paint, drywall, tiling, linoleum, counter tops.	Click to check your home for hidden lurking chemicals.
HOME	Candles made from paraffin wax. (paraffin = petroleum by-product).	Use soy or beeswax candles.
SHOP	Cash register receipts (thermal paper).	Don't let your kid chew on these, and don’t handle them a lot. If you're a cashier, wear gloves.
WATER	Chemicals that get dumped into rivers, streams and lakes (this ends up in your drinking water).	Know where your water comes from. Check the clean water database (USA). Filter your water.
AIR	Cigarette / Vape / Marijuana smoke	Don’t smoke, avoid second hand.
AIR	Dryer sheets, air fresheners.	Click to check your products. Choose natural, toxin-free brands.
HOME	Electronics (full of toxic metals)	Don’t take apart electronics. Take old electronics to a depot for proper recycling.
AIR	Essential Oils - don’t heat OR eat. Reconsider skin application.	ALL oils will irritate your lungs. Many oils contain hormone disruptors too.
AIR	Exhaust from cars and chemical plants.	Don’t walk on busy roads, avoid high exhaust / chemical plant areas.
HOME	Fire retardant chemicals on kids' clothes, carpet, furniture, mattresses.	Avoid buying carpet and furniture treated with flame retardants. Kids' pajamas and bedding MUST have flame retardants (it's the law). Use alternatives to traditional bedding and pajamas.
FOOD	Fish, Meat, Dairy, Eggs = ALL meat products are contaminated with pollutants (from the air, feed, water). This goes for organic too!	Limit your meat consumption (or stop eating it). Eat organic eggs. Don’t eat dairy (it's full of natural cow hormones anyway). Limit fish.
FOOD	Food heated in plastics or Styrofoam.	DON'T heat food in plastic. Use glass. Don’t heat food in Styrofoam. Don't drink hot liquids from Styrofoam cups.
FOOD	Foods cooked in plastic bags or plastic lined packets.	DON'T eat microwave popcorn, veggies cooked in plastic bags, meat cooked in plastic bags. This includes sous vide.
HAIR	Hair Dye	Click to check your products. Choose natural, less-toxic brands.
HAIR	Hair Products	Click to check your products. Choose natural, less-toxic brands.
HAIR	Hair Straighteners	Love your hair like nature made it!
HOME	Household cleaners (many, many, many harmful chemicals).	Click to check your products. Buy eco-friendly cleaners or make your own. Vinegar is a great cleaner!
OFFICE	Ink toners, photocopiers, electronics, glue, smelly pens/markers.	Use ventilation if you come in contact with these items. Don’t have a printer on your desk.
YARD	Landscaping products	Avoid pesticides. Use eco-friendly products.
FACE	Makeup	Click to check your products. Choose natural, less-toxic brands.
FOOD	Meat and dairy treated with antibiotics and/or growth promoters.	Buy organic or free-range meat.
MEDS	Medical devices and tubing.	Only use what you have to. If there is another SAFE way – do it.
MEDS	Meds: synthetic birth control and hormone replacement therapy.	Use low dose, get an IUD or consider other options.
NAILS	Nail polish, remover, products	Use a nail buffer and ditch the polish.
HOME	Non-stick and toxic cookwear (Teflon, Quantanium, PFOA, PTFE, lead, aluminum, cadmium).	Don’t use Teflon pans! Use ceramic non-stick pans and stainless steel.
BODY	Perfumes, fragrances	Click to check your products. Choose natural, less-toxic brands.
FOOD	Pesticides on food.	Avoid the dirty dozen. Wash produce thoroughly.
FOOD	Pesticides on the food that animals eat. (if you eat meat or dairy).	Buy organic. Click to check your food.
AIR	Pesticides that get into the air in farming areas.	If you live in a farm area, find out when the farmers will spray, then leave or stay inside during that period.
WATER	Pesticides that get into the water-supply in farming areas.	If you live in a farm area and have a well, get your water tested for pesticide residue.
SOAPS	Phthalates, Parabens, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Artificial Fragrance, Artificial Colors, Silicone, EDTA, Propylene Glycol, Petroleum-based ingredients, Toluene, Triclosan, Perchlorate, Fragrances, Formaldehyde.	Click to check your products. Choose natural, toxin-free brands. Do NOT use anti-bacterial soaps and hand cleaners.
HOME	Plastic dishes	Don't use them.
HOME	Plastic toys	Don't let your young kids or pets chew on plastic!
AIR	Pollution (PCBs, lead, heavy metals).	Avoid polluted areas. Use an air filter in your home.
MEDS	Prescription and OTC medicine (heavy metals, toxic chemicals including phthalates).	Know what you're taking! Weigh the benefits vs. the risks. Many time-released meds are coated in plastic especially GI meds. Click to search your meds for toxins. (scroll to the list once the webpage loads)
FOOD	Preservatives: BHA, BHT, EDTA, benzene, propyl parabens, propylene glycol.	Click to check your food. Avoid products with these.
HOME	Recycled paper	Don’t let your toddlers chew on kiddie books. Recycled paper is covered with chemicals!
BODY	Sunscreen	Click to check your sunscreen. Use non-toxic sunscreens.
MEDS	Supplements (pesticides, heavy metals contamination).	Buy from a reputable manufacturer.
SKIN	Tattoos *******(see further below in this blog post for full summary)	Don't get one.
MOUTH	Toothpaste, mouthwash	Click to check your products. Choose natural, toxin-free brands.
FOOD	Water stored in plastic bottles (bottled water, plastic water jugs).	Store your water in glass/metal. NEVER drink from a plastic bottle that has been heated in the sun / other heat source.
FOOD	Nylon teabags shed microplastics in your tea (which means you are drinking plastic).	Only buy tea in paper teabags or use loose tea in a tea ball.

Q. Do Tattoos Contain Hormone Disruptors?

Yes! You might be horrified to learn...

Tattoo inks are NOT regulated by the FDA...or by anyone!

Unfortunately, tattoo inks contain phthalates, metals and hydrocarbons that are:

Carcinogenic (which means they can cause cancer)
Mutagenic (which means they change cells)
Toxic to reproductive organs

After you get a tattoo, your body reacts and tries to get rid of the toxic elements in your tattoo!

Your lymph nodes bear some of the burden! This is why people with tattoos have enlarged lymph nodes AND tattoo-ink pigment on their lymph nodes.

So, you REALLY have that tattoo on your skin AND on your lymph nodes!

(this is not good)

Prediabetes and Hormone Disruptors: _Tattoo

Want to Get Your Tattoo Removed? (that's probably a bad idea)

Laser removal of tattoos breaks the tattoo into smaller particles. These small particles may include the toxins found in the tattoo ink!

Unfortunately, these small particles are then free to move around in your bloodstream.

What about the FDA?

The information the FDA has about tattoo inks is limited AND the FDA does not take responsibility for regulating these inks.

But the FDA has analyzed tattoo inks and pigments for:

Contaminants (very toxic)
Heavy metals (very toxic)
Degradants (substances that have broken down into smaller chemicals)
Potentially toxic chemicals (including pH stabilizers, microbicides and coating agents)
Other materials that are not intended to be placed into the body

Here's what the FDA has to say about it:

"There are reports in the published scientific literature of tattoo inks that contain everything from pigments used in printer toner to pigments used in car paint.

No pigments have been approved by the FDA for tattooing humans."

In other words, if you don't have a tattoo, don’t get one. And if you have some, don't get anymore.

Prediabetes and Hormone Disruptors: Q and A Wrap Up

We’ve learned a lot today about some pretty nasty hormone disruptors in our food, our homes and our environment!

If you're serious about...

Avoiding Diabetes
Finally losing all the weight you need to
Getting your thyroid problems under control
Getting your PCOS under control

...then you have to take a look at the hormone disruptors in your home and other places you come in contact with.

For more information about hormone disruptors, join the Environmental Working Group newsletter and check out their helpful guides to toxin-free living.

Prediabetes and Hormone Disruptors: Q and A - References:

About the Author Joan Pasay

As a Nutrition & Lifestyle Therapist I felt compelled to start Power In The Group. Why? To guide and support women like you with Prediabetes or Insulin Resistance so you can regain and nourish your health...without all the confusion. Together we can enjoy the richest quality of life for ourselves, with our families, and within our society...wanna come along?

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