endocrine disruptors Archives - Amazing Health Advances

Environmental Toxicants Contribute to Obesity and Metabolic Disease

AHA Publisher — Wed, 09 Nov 2022 08:00:45 +0000

Bhavana Kunkalikar via News-Medical – In a recent study published in the Current Opinion in Pharmacology journal, researchers assessed the impact of environmental toxicants and brown adipose tissue (BAT) on obesity and metabolic disorders. Obesity results from higher energy intake compared to energy expenditure, which in turn results in an increase in adiposity. The calorie gap for preventing weight gain in various populations is only 8.2 to 61.2 kcal/day. A sedentary lifestyle and excessive energy consumption may not entirely account for the increasing prevalence of global obesity and accompanying metabolic diseases, despite the robustness with which energy balance is regulated. It’s interesting to note that many other species also seem to be developing obesity in addition to humans. These findings imply that other factors may also contribute to obesity, other than the increased availability of high-calorie foods and the decreased mobility caused by technology advancements. BAT and Thermogenesis and Prevention of Obesity The primary location for the accumulation of lipophilic environmental compounds is adipose tissue. BAT and white adipose tissue (WAT) are two different adipose tissue forms. Only eutherian mammals have BAT, which, unlike WAT, has a thermogenic function that gives animals an evolutionary advantage in the cold. Thermogenic activities performed by active BAT per gram of tissue oxidize plasma triglycerides and glucose at a relatively high rate. However, it should be noted that during exposure to cold, skeletal muscle-based thermogenesis contributes significantly more to energy expenditure because of its large bulk. Four weeks of acclimation to cold is sufficient for adults to increase BAT thermogenesis and decrease skeletal muscle shivering. This highlights the potential significance of BAT concerning whole-body energy expenditure. In contrast, inhibition of adipose tissue lipolysis decreases BAT thermogenesis and promotes muscle shivering. Studies suggest that uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) and BAT also promote energy expenditure in humans, regardless of cold exposure by boosting diet-induced thermogenesis (DIT). DIT accounts for 5% to 15% of the daily energy expenditure, depending on the make-up and quantity of the food consumed. In addition, a study showed that consuming a meal rapidly increases blood flow and oxygen consumption in BAT. As a result, DIT thermogenesis might play a significant role in humans’ daily expenditure of energy when they are in thermoneutral environments. Therefore, inhibition of this process might be linked to obesity and metabolic disorders. The Pesticide Chlorpyrifos Inhibits Diet-Induced Thermogenesis in BAT The team screened brown adipocytes expressing the UCP1 promoter associated with luciferase to identify environmental contaminants that could directly decrease BAT function. A total of 34 widely used pesticides were screened, including food packaging substances, herbicides, and food colors that shared structural similarities with serotonin, a substance that inhibited BAT thermogenesis. The team noted that UCP1 promoter activity, and protein and messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression, dramatically reduced in the presence of chlorpyrifos (CPF) at dosages as low as 1 pM. CPF, an organophosphate insecticide, is frequently applied to various field crops and fruits to control pests. Following treatment with 1 pM CPF, BAT cells were subjected to unbiased RNA sequencing, which revealed that the low dose of CPF caused noticeable alterations in mitochondrial gene expression. Subsequent research revealed that these changes were linked to deficits in mitochondrial respiration. These results demonstrated that CPF suppressed UCP1 expression and thermogenesis in cultured BAT cells within the exposure window within which individuals may be exposed to CPF through the ingestion of fruits and vegetables. The team noted that high CPF doses, which block brain and plasma acetylcholinesterase activity and plasma butyrylcholinesterase, can induce obesity and glucose dysregulation via mechanisms that may involve changes to the gut flora or increase in caloric consumption. However, weight gain, glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) were also reported at the low CPF doses when test mice were maintained at thermoneutrality. This indicated that CPF levels consistent with non-occupational exposure in individuals might encourage obesity by preventing diet-induced thermogenesis in BAT. Other Environmental Pollutants Which May Inhibit BAT Function Numerous environmental toxins bind to hormone receptors, such as androgen receptors (ARs), aryl hydrocarbon receptors (AhR), estrogen receptors (ERs), estrogen receptor-related receptors (ERRs), thyroid receptors (TRs), and pregnane X receptors (PXR) interfered with hormonal effects. These receptors play a crucial role in controlling BAT thermogenesis. Environmental toxins include DDT, organochlorine, and vinclozolin block androgen receptor-mediated processes, including UCP1 transcription. Some environmental toxins may influence BAT thermogenesis by imitating estrogen’s actions. For instance, the most popular industrial chemical used in manufacturing plastics, bisphenol A (BPA), causes weight loss without altering caloric intake. In addition, maternal exposure to BPA at the time of pregnancy mimics a weak estrogen agonist, increasing interscapular BAT weight and upregulating UCP1 expression in female offspring but decreasing BAT activity and brown adipogenesis in male offspring. Overall, the study findings highlighted that specific environmental contaminants might inhibit BAT’s thermogenesis. Further research should be conducted at different doses in BAT cell lines in order to assess this possibility and provide translatability to humans more accurately. Journal reference: Bo Wang, Gregory R. Steinberg, Environmental toxicants, brown adipose tissue, and potential links to obesity and metabolic disease, Current Opinion in Pharmacology, Volume 67, 2022, 102314, ISSN 1471-4892, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coph.2022.102314, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1471489222001412 To read the original article click here.

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Evidence That Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals Are a Major Health Threat

AHA Publisher — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 07:00:53 +0000

Al Sears, MD, CNS – The autocrats at the CDC, EPA, and FDA continue to deny you’re in danger from the daily deluge of hormone-disrupting chemicals they’ve allowed into your environment. They have to know it’s a ridiculous lie. Each passing day brings more evidence these endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are a major threat. Synthetic chemicals like the bisphenol A (BPA) from plastics latch onto cellular receptors, increase estrogen production, reduce male fertility, and alter human metabolism. This sets the stage for massive chronic disease. You see, excess estrogen can destroy your health. It can even send you to an early grave. I’ve been blowing the whistle on endocrine disruptors for over two decades now, and at last the research community is beginning to wake up. Dr. Shanna H. Swan is a Mount Sinai medical center expert who initially accepted the EPA’s propaganda about EDCs… until her research validated a shocking global decline in human fertility. Now she’s crusading to alert the world to this massive threat. BPA Nosedive: Fertility and Health Fall Off a Cliff Together Among the stunning trends Dr. Swan documents: Plummeting masculinity: The sperm counts of men in the Western world dropped by over 59% from 1973 to 2011. She based her findings on 183 studies involving 42,935 men. Dr. Swan blames BPAs and other EDC toxins. Fading testosterone: The average male sex hormone level in men is dropping at about 1% a year. And there’s no sign the decline is leveling off. Crashing fertility: By 2045, Dr. Swan predicts that most couples who want to conceive will need artificial means such as IVF to have children… they simply won’t have enough reproductive capacity. Life-threatening consequences: One study showed women struggling with infertility had a 32% higher risk of dying.1 It’s even worse for men – those with abnormal sperm, or low sperm counts, had a 230% higher risk of dying.2 These are grim statistics… and I want to make sure that you don’t become one of them. Your Gameplan to Beat EDCs EDC Defense Protocol No. 1: Reduce Exposure – Start with the basics: Buy certified-organic fruits and veggies whenever possible. Use glass food containers not plastic, and never heat food in a plastic container unless you want a side helping of BPA with every meal. And do whatever you can to avoid fast food. It’s laced with EDCs… fast-food lovers have 40% higher BPA and phthalate blood levels.3 EDC Defense Protocol No. 2: Glutathione – Glutathione is a “seek and destroy” detoxifier that neutralizes environmental toxins and free radicals. Several studies indicate those who reach 100 are more likely to have higher levels of glutathione.4 More glutathione triggers better stem cell function.5 I recommend liposomal glutathione… it’s more absorbable. It can double immune-function biomarkers in a single week, including T cells and B cells.6 Start with a gram a day of liposomal glutathione… and gradually increase to 1 gram twice daily. EDC Defense Protocol No. 3: The Estrogen-Buster From Bali – Eugenol blocks estrogen imitators from locking onto cellular receptors, limiting the ability of EDCs to disrupt normal hormone levels. You’ll find clove oil and eugenol extract online and at your local supplement store. EDC Defense Protocol No. 4: Get Plenty of I3C and DIM – Indole-3 carbinol (I3C) is a special compound found in cruciferous vegetables such as brussels sprouts, broccoli, and cauliflower. Your body converts I3C into diindolylmethane (DIM). The I3C/DIM combo converts estrogen into harmless compounds your body easily excretes. I recommend 100 mg a day of I3C and DIM to protect you from EDCs. To Your Good Health, Al Sears, MD, CNS References: 1. Murugappan, Gayathree, et al. “Association between Infertility and All-Cause Mortality: Analysis of US Claims Data.” American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, vol. 225, no. 1, 1 July 2021, pp. 57.e1–57.e11, NIH.gov website. 2. Eisenberg, M. L., et al. “Semen Quality, Infertility and Mortality in the USA.” Human Reproduction, vol. 29, no. 7, 15 May 2014, pp. 1567–1574, NIH.gov website. 3. Zota, Ami R, et al. “Recent Fast Food Consumption and Bisphenol a and Phthalates Exposures among the U.S. Population in NHANES, 2003-2010.” Environmental Health Perspectives, vol. 124, no. 10, 2016, pp. 1521–1528, NIH.gov website. 4. Andersen, H. R., Jeune, B., Nybo, H., Nielsen, J. B., Andersen-Ranberg, K., & Grandjean, P. (1998). Low activity of superoxide dismutase and high activity of glutathione reductase in erythrocytes from centenarians. Age and Ageing, 27(5), 643–648. 5. Jeong, E. M., Yoon, J.-H., Lim, J., Shin, J.-W., Cho, A. Y., Heo, J., … Kim, I.-G. (2018). Real-Time Monitoring of Glutathione in Living Cells Reveals that High Glutathione Levels Are Required to Maintain Stem Cell Function. Stem Cell Reports, 10(2), 600–614. 6. Sinha, R., Sinha, I., Calcagnotto, A., Trushin, N., Haley, J. S., Schell, T. D., & Richie, J. P. (2018). Oral supplementation with liposomal glutathione elevates body stores of glutathione and markers of immune function. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 72(1), 105–111.

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Chemicals in Plastic May Contribute to Weight Gain

AHA Publisher — Fri, 28 Jan 2022 08:00:07 +0000

Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) via Newswise – It may sound strange, but chemicals in plastic may make the bathroom scale a less pleasant place to visit. Every day, we come into contact with plastic products. A lot of plastic is found in food packaging. Plastic packaging is common for practical reasons, because it is cheap and because it can increase a food’s shelf life. But plastic contains thousands of different chemicals. Some of these can affect your metabolism, and thus perhaps also your weight. Found 55 000 Different Chemicals “Our experiments show that ordinary plastic products contain a mix of substances that can be a relevant and underestimated factor behind overweight and obesity,” says Martin Wagner, an associate professor at NTNU’s Department of Biology. A research group looked at 34 different plastic products in the laboratory to see which chemicals they contained. These were everyday products that many people use, like yoghurt containers, drink bottles and kitchen sponges. The researchers found over 55 000 different chemical components in these products and identified 629 of the substances. Eleven of them are known to interfere with our metabolism, called metabolism-disrupting chemicals. For a long time, experts believed that most plastic chemicals would stay in the material. However, Wagner’s team has recently shown that plastic products leach a large number of chemicals under real world conditions, thus enabling them to enter the body. Previous research also suggests that some plastics contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals that may affect our development and fertility. Now it appears that they may contribute to weight gain as well. Contribute to Fat Cell Development Chemicals from one third of the plastic products investigated in the new study were found to contribute to fat cell development in laboratory experiments. The substances in these products reprogramed precursor cells to become fat cells that proliferated more and accumulated more fat. While some plastic products contained known metabolism-disrupting substances, others did not but nevertheless induced the development of fat cells. This means that plastics contain currently unidentified chemicals that interfere with how our body stores fat. “It’s very likely that it is not the usual suspects, such as Bisphenol A, causing these metabolic disturbances. This means that other plastic chemicals than the ones we already know could be contributing to overweight and obesity,” says Johannes Völker, the first author of the study who is affiliated with NTNU’s Department of Biology. Major Societal Problem Overweight and obesity contribute to some of the most common causes of death in the world, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. They can also increase our susceptibility to various infections, such as the effects of COVID-19. Around two billion people in the world are overweight, and the problem is growing. Approximately 650 million of these fall into the obese category. The reasons for this are of course complex, but plastic chemicals may well be a factor that we have not previously considered. These chemicals include phthalates and bisphenols, but the new study shows that there are many more substances that trigger these problematic effects. The results of the latest study have been published in Environmental Science & Technology. The researchers came mainly from NTNU, with contributing partners from Goethe University in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. To read the original article click here.

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Chemicals from Hair and Beauty Products Impact Hormones, Especially During Pregnancy

AHA Publisher — Wed, 15 Dec 2021 08:00:22 +0000

Rutgers University-New Brunswick via Newswise – Use of certain personal care products during pregnancy may impact maternal hormone levels, according to a new Rutgers study. Personal care and beauty products contain several ingredients that often include a wide range of endocrine-disrupting chemicals like phthalates, parabens, phenols, parabens and toxic metals. These chemicals interact with hormone systems, influencing synthesis, regulation, transport, metabolism and hormone reception, which are all especially vulnerable during pregnancy. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and National Institutes of Health-funded study, published in Environmental Research, examined the association between personal care product use and the levels of sex steroid hormones, including estrogens and progesterone and thyroid hormones among pregnant women. The researchers also explored how demographic factors impact the use of certain personal care products. Researchers collected blood samples from 1,070 pregnant women between 18 and 40 years of age enrolled in the Puerto Rico PROTECT Cohort, an ongoing prospective birth study designed to examine environmental exposures in pregnant women and their children who live in the northern karst zone of Puerto Rico. As part of the study, participants underwent physical exams and completed a series of questionnaires providing their demographics, occupation, lifestyle and use of personal care products like fragrances, lotions, cosmetics, nail polish, shaving cream, mouthwash, shampoo and other hair products, such as bleach, relaxers and mousse. Participants also provided blood samples twice throughout their pregnancies, which were analyzed for nine sex steroid and thyroid hormones. The researchers found that the use of hair products, particularly hair dyes, bleach, relaxers and mousse are associated with lower levels of sex steroid hormones, which have a critical role maintaining pregnancy and fetal development. Disruptions of these hormones may contribute to adverse maternal and pregnancy outcomes like growth restriction, preterm birth and low birth weight. “Alterations in hormone levels, especially during pregnancy, can have vast consequences beyond health at birth including changes in infant and child growth, pubertal trajectories the study’s lead author, Zorimar Rivera-Núñez, an assistant professor at the Rutgers School of Public Health. “Additional research should address the public health impact of exposure to chemicals in hair products in pregnant populations.” The researchers also found that socioeconomic variables, such as income, education and employment status, influence the use of personal care products among pregnant women in Puerto Rico. For example, participants who reported a household income greater than $100,000 use personal care products more often than participants with lower household incomes. Additionally, employed participants reported using more cosmetics than those who were unemployed. “Prior research has shown that non-pregnant populations have also reported associations between frequency of use and socioeconomic markers, such as household income and education,” Rivera-Núñez said. “A strong culture of beauty influences Latina women, which may impact consistent use of cosmetics through pregnancy. This data is important because it will allow us to identify populations who are at an increased risk of chemical exposures associated with personal care product use.” The researchers, who include individuals from the Rutgers Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, University of Puerto Rico, University of Georgia and Northeastern University, recommend that primary physicians and obstetricians should speak to reproductive-age women about the potential health impact of endocrine disrupting chemicals, like those found in hair products. To read the original article click here.

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‘Everyday’ Chemical Linked to Early Death, Costs U.S. Billions

AHA Publisher — Mon, 01 Nov 2021 07:00:11 +0000

Leah Zerbe, MS, NASM-CPT, NASM-CES via Dr. Axe – Scientists have identified a common chemical linked to early death, and the downside is that (at least in America) it’s still legally found in thousands of products — some of which may be right under your feet. Researchers from NYU Langone investigated phthalates, plasticizing chemicals used in everything from vinyl flooring, siding and shower curtains to food wraps, food packaging and cosmetics. The findings suggest a huge toll on not only human health and survival, but the economy, as well. Phthalates may cause up to 100,000 premature deaths a year in older American adults, along with $40 to $47 billion in lost productivity. As the study lays out, previous research already linked exposure to phthalates to all sorts of health problems, including: Breast and thyroid cancers Premature birth Gestational diabetes Childhood and adult obesity Adult diabetes Endometriosis Infertility One prominent discovery in the most recent research involves the connection between high phthalate levels in urine and higher risk of death due to cardiovascular disease. (The link was even more pronounced in men.) “Our findings reveal that increased phthalate exposure is linked to early death, particularly due to heart disease,” says study lead author Leonardo Trasande, MD. “Until now, we have understood that the chemicals connect to heart disease, and heart disease in turn is a leading cause of death, but we had not yet tied the chemicals themselves to death.” And although this type of study doesn’t provide direct “cause-and-effect” evidence, the team says it plans on further studying the specific biological mechanism that could underline phthalates’ contribution to shortening lives. In particular, researchers will look at the role phthalates may play in hormone regulation and inflammation. Chemical Linked to Early Death Phthalates are known as one of the “Dirty Dozen” endocrine disruptors, and are also categorized as obesogens for their obesity-promoting characteristics. In this most recent study, “high-molecular weight” phthalates, like di-2-ethylhexylphthalate (DEHP) were most closely linked to premature death among 55 to 64 year olds. DEHP is found in medical equipment like IVs and ventilators, but it’s also used in some plastic food packaging and in vinyl products, including flooring and siding. DEHP is often used in tubing for dairy and many other food processing applications. Because of its broad use, breakdown metabolites are found in most Americans. The main route of exposure is likely ingestion through food contact, and as consumer products break down. Low-income communities, and/or communities with high populations of black and brown residents, are particularly at risk. Not only do they face exposure through food and products, but the actual PVC plants manufacturing vinyl are often located in these neighborhoods. Landfills are another hotspot for DEHP contamination. DEHP has even been detected in tomatoes grown with biosolids, the “sewage sludge” left over in wastewater treatment plants that non-organic farmers are allowed to use to grow our food. Phthalates are even detected at levels 200+ times above the legal limit in dollar store toys. “Our research suggests that the toll of this chemical on society is much greater than we first thought,” says Dr. Trasande, who also serves as director of NYU Langone’s Center for the Investigation of Environmental Hazards. “The evidence is undeniably clear that limiting exposure to toxic phthalates can help safeguard Americans’ physical and financial wellbeing.” How to Protect Yourself It is virtually impossible to completely protect yourself from phthalates because they are so widespread. In fact, authors of this study say: “Regulatory action is urgently needed to reduce these preventable exposures.” Other things you can do: Avoid vinyl/PVC products as much as possible. Avoid synthetically scented personal care products, candles and air fresheners that contain other types of phthalates connected to health problems. Opt for unscented laundry detergent, cleaning products and personal care products. Nix perfume and cologne. Call your federal representatives and senators and tell them to support meaningful chemical regulation laws. Stand up in solidarity for communities and help them reject PVC plants, landfills and other toxic industrial invasions that threaten the health of our most vulnerable. Avoid eating take-out and at restaurants as much as possible. On average, people who are eating food prepared outside of the home have nearly 35 percent higher levels of phthalates circulating in their bodies compared to people who eat food prepared at home. Avoid store food in and eating from plastics, particularly plastics No. 3, 6 and 7. Avoid washing plastics in dishwashers and heating food in plastics in the microwave. Opt for fresh or frozen foods as much as possible, and shy away from overpackaged, over processed foods. Final Thoughts A first-of-its-kind study links certain phthalates to 100,000 premature deaths in America a year. Phthalates are chemicals that make plastics soft and flexible. The type of phthalate linked to early deaths and heart disease in this study is known as DEHP, and it’s used in vinyl/PVC production. DEHP is commonly used in medical equipment like IVs. It’s also used in food processing tubing and other equipment, along with food packaging materials. This new study estimates that phthalates could be linked to up to $47 billion in lost wages in the U.S. annually, due to premature deaths. All-cause mortality was linked to phthalates, but the link was especially strong for heart disease-related deaths. Phthalates are widespread and detected in most Americans. Researchers and consumer safety groups suggest the only way to truly protect citizens is for strong regulatory action. To read the original article click here.

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Cosmetics WARNING: New Study Finds Forever Chemicals in Over Half of 231 Samples

AHA Publisher — Mon, 28 Jun 2021 07:00:11 +0000

Damon Hines via NaturalHealth365 – Makeup can be a toxic swamp of carcinogens, irritants, allergens, silicones, parabens, and endocrine disrupters. The U.S. Congress hasn’t enacted any personal care laws since the 1930s, leaving America’s multi-billion beauty industry to regulate itself. A survey conducted by the Environmental Working Group found that the average woman uses 12 products a day, averaging 168 total ingredients. How many of those ingredients have been linked to cancer, birth defects, liver disease, thyroid disease, decreased immunity, hormone disruption, and a range of other serious health problems? A recent study published in Environmental Science & Technology found signs of forever chemicals (PFAS) in over half of the 231 samples of products tested, including lipstick, eyeliner, mascara, foundation, concealer, lip balm, blush, nail polish, and more. Some of the highest PFAS levels were found in waterproof mascara (82% of brands tested), foundations (63%), and liquid lipstick (62%). Here Is the Ugly Truth About Ingredients Used in Beauty Products This isn’t the first time the beauty industry’s ugly ingredients have been exposed. Its evils are as long as the makeup aisle at Macy’s. For example, hair care company Wen settled a $26 million class-action case because its products were making people’s hair fall out. In 2020, filmmaker Phyliss Ellis released “Toxic Beauty,” a documentary that digs beneath the skin of the beauty industry with a thesis that argues that modern skin-care products are the new cigarettes. And as of February 2021, Johnson & Johnson has faced 27,168 talcum powder lawsuits, with victims complaining of ovarian cancer and mesotheliomas, a type of cancer occurring in the tissue layer covering internal organs. The company has paid out billions in damages to plaintiffs across the country. In other words, pretty hurts. Pay Attention! Wearing Lipstick Can Lead to the Ingestion of Several Pounds of the Product Throughout Your Life While researchers for the new study claimed to be surprised by the high number of cosmetic products that contain toxic forever chemicals, what’s even more shocking is the fact that Big Beauty companies don’t list PFAS on their labels when they use the chemicals, making them all but impossible to avoid for even the most cautious and green-minded consumer. According to Tom Bruton, a senior scientist with Green Science Policy Institute and one of the study’s authors, “regulatory agencies often allow companies to claim PFAS as a trade secret.” If the idea of accidentally ingesting several pounds of lipstick isn’t bad enough, to think that the product might be packed with PFAS is enough to make you quit skin-care products altogether. If Reading Labels Won’t Keep You Safe, What Will? “Not all things from nature are safe, and not all synthetics are bad,” says sustainability expert and chemist Dr. Richard Blackburn. And that makes an eco guide to clean beauty that much more difficult to navigate. However, there are certain keywords to look for when reading cosmetic labels. Researchers found that products advertised as “wear-resistant,” “long-lasting,” and “waterproof” often contain fluorine, which is a strong indicator of PFAS. One company worth mentioning is Dr. Hauschka. Of course, local farmers markets will often feature smaller companies that create wonderful (safe) products to use. But, whatever brand you choose … always avoid the toxic ingredients. Your health is worth the effort. Sources for this article include: TheGuardian.com Vogue.com Childrenshealthdefense.org This article has been modified. To read the original article click here. For more articles from NaturalHealth365 click here.

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Natural Dietary Treatments for Fibroids

AHA Publisher — Thu, 13 May 2021 07:00:09 +0000

Michael Greger M.D. FACLM via Nutrition Facts – The same diet that helps regulate hormones in women may also reduce exposure to endocrine-disrupting pollutants. Fibroids are the most common benign tumors in women. They can grow to a foot in diameter and affect the majority of women before they hit menopause. Although fibroids tend to be asymptomatic, when symptoms do occur, they tend to manifest as heavy menstrual bleeding—so much so that women may get anemic and experience a lot of pain. So, what can women do? I discuss this in my video The Best Diet for Fibroids. Up to half go into surgery and get their entire uterus removed. “Although hysterectomy is generally considered a safe operation, complications occur in a significant proportion of patients” and, obviously, you can’t have kids any more. The alternative is a variety of hormone-modulating drugs, which can shrink the fibroids and provide relief, but many of these drugs have significant side effects, like bone loss, so you really don’t want to be taking them for more than a few months. What’s the bottom line? “There is currently no evidence to support the routine use of medical treatment in women with uterine fibroids.” No wonder many women turn to “complementary and alternative treatments…including exercise, diet, herbs, and acupuncture.” Women who exercise seven or more hours a week do seem to have lower risk of having fibroids than women who exercise less than around 20 minutes a day, but exercise has never been put to the test for treating fibroids. Likewise, to date, there isn’t a single randomized controlled trial of acupuncture for the treatment of fibroids to help guide us. In terms of herbs, there are two Asian herbal preparations that show promise—a five-herb combo called Guizhi Fuling and a Malaysian ten-herb formula that contains “secret ingredients” that must not be that secret since they’re just listed in the study, as you can see at 1:50 in my video—and they seemed to work as well as a leading drug. The problem is that traditional Asian herbal remedies may contain a few extra ingredients, like arsenic, mercury, and lead, which have been detected in most of the samples tested from Asian market and health food store shelves, and not just a little. Some, apparently, had really toxic amounts. So, these two Asian herbal preparations “may reduce fibroid size, but there is insufficient evidence to support the efficacy or safety of these treatments.” And, certainly, don’t try to apply caustic herbs internally, as this can lead to scarring, stenosis, and ulceration. Well, what about diet? In one of the largest studies of diet and fibroids, fibroid tumors were “associated with beef and ham consumption, whereas high intake of green vegetables seems to have a protective effect.” The researchers figured that the “association between levels of estrogen, diet, and breast and endometrial [uterine lining] cancers also may help us understand” why. Indeed, “[f]or breast and endometrial cancers, a direct association with the frequency of consumption of meat and ham was observed…whereas protection was conferred by high intake of vegetables and fruits.” Thus, there may be these shared risk factors between estrogen-responsive malignant tumors, like breast cancer, and estrogen-responsive benign tumors, like fibroids. We know the presence of fibroids seems to correlate with an increase in the amount of estrogens flowing through your body, for example, and that women eating vegetarian diets have significantly lower levels of excess estrogen. Researchers are using this knowledge to try to explain why there are lower rates of endometrial cancer—that is, lining-of-the-uterus cancer—and possibly breast cancer among vegetarian women, but it could also help explain the fibroid findings. “The incidence of breast cancer among vegetarian American women (Seventh Day Adventists) is 60 to 80 per cent of the incidence among American women in general, and the incidence among women in Africa and Asia is even lower.” Why might vegetarian women have lower estrogen levels? A famous study in the New England Journal of Medicine concluded that it was their “increased fecal output, which leads to increased fecal excretion of estrogen,” resulting in lower blood levels. Double the fecal output, in fact, as you can see at 4:07 in my video. And, you can put it to the test. Maybe the same reason African-American women have more fibroids is the same reason they have worse breast cancer survival: too much estrogen in their bloodstream due to a less than optimal diet. So, researchers designed a study to see what would happen if they were switched to a more plant-based, higher fiber diet. Compared with the Caucasian women, the African-American women started out with much higher estrogen levels, again helping to explain their increased mortality from breast cancer. But, after they were put on a healthier diet, all of their levels came down, “suggest[ing] that a substantial reduction in breast cancer risk can be achieved” by adopting a diet centered around more whole plant foods. The same also appears to be true for fibroids, especially eating lots of cruciferous vegetables—broccoli, cabbage, and Chinese cabbage—as well as tomatoes and apples. Women who underwent premature puberty, starting their periods before age 11, may also be at increased risk of fibroids later in life, and we know that higher childhood red meat intake is associated with earlier age of starting one’s period, though total protein and animal protein in general may contribute. For example, girls who eat meat tend to start their periods about six months earlier than vegetarian girls. Those who eat meat analogues like veggie burgers and veggie dogs start their periods nine months later on average, and a similar puberty normalizing influence was found with consumption of whole plants foods, such as beans. It could also be the endocrine-disrupting pollutants that build up the food chain. Researchers tooksamples of internal abdominal fat from women and found there appeared to be a correlation between the presence of fibroids with the levels of a number of PCBs in their fat. So, does that mean fish-eaters have higher risk of fibroids? Researchers did find a small increase in risk associated with the intake of long-chain omega-3 fats, mostly from “dark-meat fish consumption,” by which they meant fish like sardines and salmon. This could be because of “the endocrine-disrupting chemicals commonly shown in fish,” or it could just be a statistical fluke. It would be consistent with the increased risk seen among “sport-fish consumers.” Recognizing that diet and endocrine-disrupting persistent organic pollutants have been associated with a variety of gynecologic conditions, including fibroids, researchers looked at consumers of fish fished out of the Great Lakes and found a 20 percent increased risk for every ten years they had been eating the fish. In the most comprehensive study to date, researchers compared pollutant levels in fat samples from women with fibroids to fat liposuctioned out of women without fibroids. They didn’t just find higher levels of PCBs in fibroid sufferers, but also long-banned pesticides, like DDT and hexachlorocyclohexane, PAHs, which are polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons formed when coal is burned, tobacco is smoked, and meat is grilled, as well as heavy metals, arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury. These levels correlated not only to fibroids, but also to seafood consumption or excess body fat. So, the researchers determined that “shedding excess weight and limiting seafood consumption would confer a protective effect” on fibroid tumor development by minimizing exposure to environmental pollutants as much as possible. Okay, so a plant-based diet may be best, but is there a plant in particular that has been shown to be particularly powerful? Plant-based compounds with disease-preventive properties, dietary phytochemicals are found in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans, split peas, chickpeas, and lentils, herbs, spices, nuts, and certain beverages. As I discuss in my video The Best Food for Fibroids, we know they can help regulate the initiation, promotion, and spread of cancerous tumors, so what about benign tumors like fibroids? Most anti-cancer drugs on the market now were originally derived from plants or plant products, so why not try to use plants to target the inflammation or blood supply of fibroids? Might fibroids be a consequence of chronic inflammation within the body? We know that women with fibroids are more likely to eat more beef and ham, and fewer fruits and green vegetables, but whole plant foods don’t just have anti-inflammatory effects but antioxidant effects as well. “If the generation of free radicals exceeds the protective effects of antioxidants, oxidative damage will occur,” which has been implicated in a variety of disease states, including gynecological conditions such as fibroids. If you collect fresh fibroids, as well as normal uterine tissue from hysterectomy surgeries, the fibroid cells have significantly fewer antioxidant enzymes, as you can see at 1:20 in my video, so might antioxidant-rich foods help? Well, if you drip some strawberries onto cells in a petri dish, you can apparently kill of some fibroid tumor cells, while leaving normal uterus cells alone. But, what good does that do us? That’s only relevant if we can show those strawberry compounds get absorbed through our gut and achieve high enough concentrations in uterine tissue. The same with curcumin, the component of the spice turmeric. One of its so-called “miraculous” properties is suppressing the growth of uterine fibroid cells, but, again, that was just in vitro. Yes, an inhibitory effect was found and at concentrations that don’t compromise the growth of normal, regular uterine tissue, but my patients are people, not petri dishes. It’s pretty neat to find out what happens to human fibroid cells as you drip higher and higher concentrations of green tea compounds on them in a test tube, as you can see for yourself at 2:19 in my video, but I care less about what happens in vitro or in mice, whether or not they have any clothes on—one study looked at “a nude mice model”—but there were no randomized, controlled clinical studies until 2013. Subjects were randomized to green tea extract or placebo for four months. In the placebo group, fibroid volume increased by 24 percent. That’s what fibroids do; they continue to grow. However, those randomized to the green tea group showed a reduction in total fibroid volume—and not just by a little. There was a dramatic decrease, shrinking by almost a third, which is a highly significant difference, as you can see at 3:02 in my video. Okay, but did the women feel any better? Yes, they experienced a dramatic decrease in symptom severity, as well. Month after month, nothing much happened in the placebo group, but those taking the pills that looked the same but happened to contain green tea compounds had consistent improvement and felt lessening symptoms, each month better than the last, as well as an improved health-related quality of life, month after month, that was significantly better than control. What’s more, their blood counts got better too. With all that continued excess blood loss every month, the blood levels kept decreasing in the placebo group, but they reversed in the green tea group. So, anemia also significantly improved, because average blood flow significantly diminished. And, all this—the fibroid shrinkage, less pain, better periods—was achieved with “no adverse effects.” So, not only were the results comparable to those for the drugs that are commonly used—again, without the side effects—but the results were also comparable to uterine artery embolization, where they try to cut the blood supply to the fibroid, which is great—unless they accidentally cut the blood supply to the rest of the uterus and cause uterine necrosis, one of many reported major complications. Others include death, not only of the fibroid, but also of the patient, along with other potential complications that may arise from accidentally clogging off non-target arteries. In my book, a side-effect-free solution as good as a more invasive procedure is potentially better than. The researchers conclude that green tea compounds show “promise as a safe and effective therapeutic agent for women with symptomatic UFs [uterine fibroids]. Such a simple, inexpensive, and orally administered therapy...

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6 Steps to Balance Hormones Naturally

AHA Publisher — Wed, 07 Apr 2021 07:00:16 +0000

Dr. Josh Axe, DC, DMN, CNS – Hormones — such as estrogen, testosterone, adrenaline and insulin — are extremely important chemical messengers that affect many aspects of your overall health. Conventional treatments for hormonal imbalances typically include synthetic hormone replacement therapies, birth control pills, insulin injections, thyroid medications and more. Unfortunately, for the majority of people suffering from hormonal disorders, relying on these types of synthetic treatments often does three things: It makes people dependent on taking prescription drugs for the rest of their lives in order to keep symptoms under control. It simply masks the patient’s symptoms, but doesn’t solve them, which means that the patient can continue to develop abnormalities in other areas of the body while the disorder progresses. It potentially causes a higher risk for serious side effects, such as stroke, osteoporosis, anxiety, reproductive problems, cancer and more. Is it possible to balance hormones naturally? The good news is: yes, in many cases it is. Below you’ll learn about some root causes of hormonal problems, as well as about treatment options to help you balance your hormones naturally. What Is the Endocrine System? The endocrine system is in charge of coordinating the relationship between different organs and hormones, which are chemicals that are released into your bloodstream from cells within your endocrine glands. Hormones are secreted by various glands and organs, including your thyroid, adrenals, pituitary, ovaries, testicles and pancreas. The entire endocrine system works together to control the level of hormones circulating throughout your body, and if one or more is even slightly imbalanced, it can cause widespread health problems affecting growth, sexual development and function, sleep, metabolism and hunger. Once your hormones are in circulation, they target specific tissues or cells by binding to receptors that are located inside the cell or on its surface. These hormones work as chemical messengers and play a key role in your body’s daily functions. The endocrine system is made up of many glands, including the pituitary gland or “master gland” that’s responsible for sending information from your brain to other glands in your body. The pituitary gland also produces many hormones that travel throughout the body and have different important functions. The pituitary gland is made up of two different tissue types: the anterior pituitary that synthesizes and releases classic hormones, and the posterior pituitary gland that secretes neurohormones that are made in the hypothalamus. Two hormones that are secreted by the anterior pituitary gland are growth hormone, which is responsible for your proper growth and development, and prolactin, which is the hormone that stimulates milk production after childbirth. Tropic hormones are also produced and secreted by the anterior pituitary gland, which is an endocrine gland, and they also target other endocrine glands. These hormones include: thyroid-stimulating hormone (also called thyrotropin) follicle-stimulating hormone luteinizing hormone adrenocorticotropic hormone The posterior pituitary gland doesn’t produce hormones on its own, but stores and secretes two hormones made in the hypothalamic region, vasopressin and oxytocin, and then releases them into the bloodstream. Other important glands of the endocrine system include the pineal gland, thyroid gland, parathyroid glands, thymus gland and adrenal glands. There are two major groups of hormones that circulate the human body — those that derive from amino acids (protein hormones, peptides and amines) and those that derive from lipids (steroids). Here’s a quick breakdown of these hormone subgroups: Amine hormones: Hormones that are synthesized from the amino acids tryptophan (such as melatonin) and tyrosine (such as thyroid hormones and dopamine). Peptide hormones: Hormones that consist of short chain amino acids and include antidiuretic hormone (called vasopressin) and oxytocin. Protein hormones: Hormones that consist of longer polypeptides and include growth hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone. Steroid hormones: Hormones that are derived from cholesterol and include testosterone, estrogens and cortisol. When these hormones send messages, they are received by hormone receptors that process the message and signal specific event or cellular mechanisms that initiate the target cell’s response. Signs and Symptoms Before we talk about how to balance hormones naturally, it helps to know which signs and symptoms of hormone imbalances to look out for. These include: Infertility and irregular periods Weight gain or weight loss (that’s unexplained and not due to intentional changes in your diet) Depression and anxiety Fatigue Insomnia Low libido Changes in appetite Digestive issues Hair loss and hair thinning Symptoms of hormonal imbalances can range dramatically depending on what type of disorder or illness they are caused by. For example, high estrogen can contribute to problems that include endometriosis and reproductive issues, while symptoms of diabetes often include weight gain, changes in appetite, nerve damage and problems with eyesight. Some specific problems associated with some of the most common hormonal imbalances include: Estrogen dominance: changes in sleep patterns, changes in weight and appetite, higher perceived stress, slowed metabolism Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS): infertility, weight gain, higher risk for diabetes, acne, abnormal hair growth Low estrogen: low sex drive, reproductive problems, menstrual irregularity, changes in mood Hypothyroidism: slowed metabolism, weight gain, fatigue, anxiety, irritability, digestive issues, irregular periods Low testosterone: erectile dysfunction, muscle loss, weight gain, fatigue, mood-related problems Hyperthyroidism & Grave’s disease: anxiety, thinning hair, weight loss, IBS, trouble sleeping, irregular heartbeats Diabetes: weight gain, nerve damage (neuropathy), higher risk for vision loss, fatigue, trouble breathing, dry mouth, skin problems Adrenal fatigue: fatigue, muscle aches and pains, anxiety and depression, trouble sleeping, brain fog, reproductive problems Risk Factors and Causes Hormonal imbalances are multi-factorial disorders, meaning they are caused by a combination of factors — such as your diet, medical history, genetics, stress levels and exposure to toxins from your environment. Some of the major contributors to hormonal imbalances include: Food allergies and gut issues: An expanding field of new research shows that your gut health plays a significant role in hormone regulation. If you have leaky gut syndrome or a lack of beneficial probiotic bacteria lining your intestinal wall, you’re more susceptible to hormonal problems, including diabetes and obesity. That’s because inflammation usually stems from your gut and then impacts nearly every aspect of your health. Being overweight or obese High levels of inflammation caused by a poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle Genetic susceptibility Toxicity (which is related to exposure to chemicals like pesticides, or viruses, cigarettes, excessive alcohol and some medications) High amounts of stress, and a lack of enough sleep and rest Adrenal dysfunction is the largest cause of the hormonal imbalance with the sex hormones — especially because of something called the “cortisol steal.” This occurs when cholesterol, which usually helps to make the sex hormones, combines with too much stress and the enzyme 17/20 lyase blocks the conversion; the production of cortisol ensues. Cortisol then causes the imbalance of progesterone, estrogen and testosterone, which then decreases the sex drive. How to Balance Hormones Naturally 1. Swap Carbs for Healthy Fats Foods that balance hormones include a variety of fat-containing foods that provide short, medium and long-chain fatty acids. Your body needs various types of fats to create hormones, including saturated fat and cholesterol. Not only are these essential fats fundamental building blocks for hormone production, but they keep inflammation levels low, boost your metabolism and promote weight loss. Healthy fats have the opposite effect of refined carbohydrates, which lead to inflammation and can mess with the balance of your hormones. My four favorite sources of anti-inflammatory, healthy fats include: coconut oil, avocados, grass-fed butter and wild-caught salmon. Coconut oil uses are plentiful — for example, coconut oil (or cream/milk) has natural anti-bacterial and fat-burning effects. Avocado benefits include improving heart health, lowering inflammation, controlling your appetite and contributing to your daily intake of fiber and nutrients such as potassium. Salmon nutrition is also impressive: it’s one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to lower inflammation and help with cognitive functions. Omega-3 fatty acids are a large component of brain-cell membranes and are important for cell-to-cell communication in the brain. Research shows that omega-3 fatty acids help protect against hippocampal neuronal loss and reduce pro-inflammatory responses. What food causes hormonal imbalance? It’s best to limit or avoid added sugar, processed carbs and refined vegetable/seed oils. Here’s a rule of thumb: Steer clear from oils high in omega-6 fats (safflower oil, sunflower, corn, cottonseed, canola, soybean and peanut), and load up on rich sources of natural omega-3s instead (wild fish, flaxseed, chia seeds, walnuts and grass-fed animal products). There is a type of omega-6 fat that you want to get in your diet called GLA. GLA (gamma-linoleic acid) can be taken in supplement form by using evening primrose oil or borage oil, and it’s also found in hemp seeds. Studies show supplementing with GLA can support healthy progesterone levels. 2. Supplement to Fill Nutritional Voids While a healthy diet is key for all aspects of health, it’s sometimes necessary to supplement in order to fill nutritional voids that can be leading to a hormone imbalance. Here are the top supplements to focus on in order to balance hormones: Evening primrose oil: Evening primrose oil contains omega-6 fatty acids, such as LA and GLA, that support overall hormonal function. Supplementing with evening primrose oil can help to relieve premenstrual and PCOS symptoms. It also helps to create a healthy environment for conception. Vitamin D: What is the best vitamins to take for hormonal imbalance? Vitamin D is definitely one of them, since it almost acts like a hormone inside the body and has important implications for keeping inflammation levels low. This is why people who live in dark areas often suffer from seasonal depression and other health problems unless they supplement with vitamin D. Sunshine is really the best way to optimize vitamin D levels because your bare skin actually makes vitamin D on its own when exposed to even small amounts of direct sunlight. Most people should supplement with around 2,000–5,000 IU daily of vitamin D3 if they live in dark areas, during the winter, and on days when they’re not in the sun. Bone broth: Bone broth soothes the digestive system and supplies the body with nutrients that can be easily absorbed. Consuming bone broth or protein powder made from bone broth is especially beneficial to your health because it contains healing compounds like collagen, proline, glycine and glutamine, which have the powder to boost your overall health. Probiotics: Probiotics are healthy bacteria that can actually improve your production and regulation of key hormones like insulin, ghrelin and leptin. They can also aid in repairing your gut lining, which in turn can balance your hormones. When undigested food particles, like gluten for example, leak through your gut into your bloodstream, it causes disease-causing inflammation that impacts the entire body — especially glands like the thyroid that is very susceptible to heightened inflammation. Most people with leaky gut have an a deficiency of probiotics in their guts. To consume more probiotics, you can both add fermented foods to your diet (such as yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, etc.) and take probiotic capsule supplements. Adaptogen Herbs: Adaptogen herbs are a unique class of healing plants that promote hormone balance and protect the body from a wide variety of diseases, including those caused by excess stress. In addition to boosting immune function and combating stress, research shows that various adapotogens — such as ashwagandha, medicinal mushrooms, rhodiola and holy basil — can: Improve thyroid function Lower cholesterol naturally Reduce anxiety and depression Fight brain cell degeneration Stabilize blood sugar and insulin levels Support adrenal functions Ashwagandha, in particular, can be extremely effective at balancing hormones. It benefits thyroid function because it promotes the scavenging of free radicals that cause cellular damage. Ashwagandha can be used to support a sluggish or overactive thyroid, and it can also help to overcome adrenal fatigue. Your adrenals can become overtaxed when you experience too much emotional, physical or mental stress, leading to the disruption of hormones like adrenaline, cortisol and progesterone. Holy basil, which is also known as tulsi, helps to regulate cortisol levels, thereby working as a natural remedy for anxiety and emotional stress. Studies show that holy basil can also protect your organs and tissuesagainst chemical stress from pollutants and heavy metals,...

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Smart Skin Care: How to Find Beauty Products Without Toxic Chemicals

AHA Publisher — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 07:00:21 +0000

Damon Hines via NaturalHealth365 – In Toxic Beauty, an award-wining documentary film by Phyllis Ellis, skin care products are called the “new cigarettes,” and a Swiss chemist for one of the biggest designer brands in the world admits that the cosmetic industry is destroying women’s cells. But it’s not just cells the personal care industry is destroying… Of the tens of thousands of chemicals available for use in the cosmetic industry most aren’t reviewed by a government agency before going to market. In fact, the industry’s ugliest ingredients – carcinogenic heavy metals, parabens and phthalates, irritants, and allergens – have been linked to a number of health issues, including breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Recent lawsuits filed against Johnson & Johnson by over 15,000 women claim the company’s talc-based baby powder is to blame for ovarian cancer. Trace amounts of asbestos, a well-known cancer causer, has been found in concealer as well as the sparkly makeup marketed to kids at Claire’s. And TEDx has identified more than 200 possible endocrine-disrupting chemicals in cosmetics and personal care products. So how do consumers find beauty products that don’t contain toxic chemicals? The Environmental Working Group recently launched a new label (EWG Verified) that certifies cosmetic products that meet stringent ingredient and transparency requirements. WARNING About Skin Toxins Found Inside Soaps, Serums and Concealers Toxic makeup is nothing new. Egyptian queens wore black eye makeup that was made of lead, and the Victorians were obsessed with a stylized, pale complexion that could only be achieved with cosmetic products containing mercury, arsenic, and ammonia. Nor is one product or formulation to blame. It’s when consumers use several personal care products per day, and then reapply those products everyday as part of a beauty routine, that the toxicity exposure adds up. According to The Guardian, American women use an average of 12 products a day, or 200 chemicals. Yet, others – like a survey conducted by a beauty retailer in 2016 – found that some women averaged 16 products a day on their faces alone! Customer Mistrust and Skeptical About Conventional Makeup What is “natural beauty” or “clean beauty?” In the beauty industry, “all natural” claims are as confusing to most consumers as the food industry’s organic certifications. Today, the cosmetic and personal care industry has over 400 eco-labels, and the varying degree of credibility can be difficult to understand or decipher. The manipulative power of marketing can be just as toxic as the products it promotes. This is where the EWG Verified label comes in. “The program is an extension of the group’s work with the Skin Deep database, which for more than a decade has given tens of millions of visitors information on the chemical contents and relative safety of their favorite cosmetics and shampoos.” In other words, EWV Verified is designed to work as an official label, a green seal of approval that will help consumers make smart and informed choices about the beauty products they buy. The dangers of toxic beauty products cut more than skin deep, and this precautionary approach is the balm that the industry has long needed. Sources for this article include: TheGuardian, EWG.org To read the original article click here. For more articles from NaturalHealth365 click here.

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