How to Detox Your Hormones

Written By Dr. Natalia Pellegrino
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Endocrine Disruptors: Hazardous to your Hormones and Fertility

Did you know that there may be chemicals lurking in your home that can affect your hormone balance? These chemicals are known as ‘endocrine disruptors’, and they are hazardous to your hormones! These chemicals are found in our air, food, water, beauty products, household items and more. According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), these products “may interfere with the body’s endocrine system and produce adverse developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune effects in both humans and wildlife.” Current research is focused on how these chemicals may contribute to many health conditions, including infertility, endometriosis, and certain cancers. https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/endocrine/index.cfm 

Many chemicals act as  ‘xenoestrogens’, meaning that they mimic the action of estrogen in the body. Once in the body, xenoestrogens stimulate estrogen receptors in hormone sensitive areas like breast tissue. (1) One example of a xenoestrogen is bisphenol-A (BPA), used to make plastic food packaging and many household goods. BPA enters the body by leaching into food & drinks from plastic containers (especially when heated).  In addition to disrupting normal hormonal function, xenoestrogen exposure can also stimulate the growth of certain types of breast cancer. (2) Another broad group of chemicals is persistent organic pollutants (POPs), many of which are found in pesticides. Our bodies see these substances as foreign invaders, and they get sequestered in fat cells as a protective mechanism. There is also emerging data evaluating chemicals like POP’s and their role as ‘obesogens’, meaning that they contribute to obesity. Ultimately, we need to get these substances out of the body by maintaining a healthy weight, and supporting all of our detoxification organs (skin, lungs, liver, kidneys, and colon). (3) 


How To Cleanse Your Home and Body of Chemicals

Ok, so now what? This information is not meant to cause alarm, but mainly to emphasize the importance of taking action steps to protect yourself and your family! The good news is, there are many simple things you can do to accomplish this.   Below are some steps to get you started on cleansing your home and body of environmental pollutants. It can be a process to fully transition your home and body to more clean products— start where you can and gradually add on more over time:

 
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At the Grocery Store:   

  • Buy Organic Food Whenever Possible: If you only start with ONE step that can have the biggest impact on your health, it’s this one. This includes your fruit, vegetables, whole grains, seeds, nuts, condiments, and ESPECIALLY any animal products: meat, dairy, eggs, fish (wild caught). Animal products tend to have the highest concentration of things we don’t want in our bodies, including  pesticides, hormones, & antibiotics. 

  • Choose meats labeled organic, hormone-free, antibiotic free, grass fed, wild. Yes, organic meat is more expensive.. Let this motivate you to reduce your intake of animal products in general, and fill your plate with more vegetables!

  • Fruits & Veggies: Use the “Clean Fifteen / Dirty Dozen" list, to prioritize which fruits and veggies should only be purchased organic. I vote for all items organic, but  I know this can also get expensive. Check out the resources below, for help in figuring out what to prioritize buying organic. 

  • Avoid canned food, instead focusing on fresh and frozen vegetables/fruit. If you do buy canned, only get cans that say “BPA-free”. BPA is a plastic coating found in the lining of most cans, that leaches into the food inside. By the way, most canned food has way less nutritional value than fresh and frozen, which is another reason to minimize it. 

  • Buy produce that’s not wrapped in plastic when possible. If it’s wrapped in plastic, simply unwrap it when you get home, and place in glass food storage containers. 

  • Buy other grocery items in glass bottles: This includes condiments like ketchup, mustard, dressings, mayonnaise, tomato sauce, etc. If the only option is plastic, transfer it to glass when you get home. Acidic foods like tomato, and fatty foods like mayonnaise are more likely to leach plastic into foods. 


In the Kitchen:

  • Get the Plastic out of your life: Replace the bulk of your plastic storage containers with glass. Mason jars and glass storage containers (Pyrex sets) make excellent additions to your kitchen, and will help you to reduce your plastic use. If you do meal prepping and freezing foods, plastic can be used to store in the freezer-- Just be sure to let foods cool down completely before portioning out into plastic freezer containers to reduce plastic being leached into the foods.

  • Don’t combine heat and plastic! This allows plastic to get into your food. This includes: microwaving food in plastic, putting plastic wrap on foods before microwaving, placing plastic wrap over hot leftovers, putting plastic lids over steaming hot foods, and placing hot food in plastic containers to store. Solutions: Microwave in glass containers only, and cover food with a paper towel to microwave. Better yet, use the stovetop, oven, or toaster oven to heat foods. As I mentioned above, let food cool first if you freeze portions of your food, and don’t put the plastic lid on your Pyrex bowls until the food has cooled down.

  • Avoid handling receipts: Most store receipts these days are coated in BPA plastic, making them feel smooth. This gets very quickly absorbed right though your skin. Opt for no receipt, or have cashier place the receipt in the bag. If you handle the receipt once you get home, wash your hands right after.

  • Filter your water: This is critical; our water supply is polluted with prescription medications (including antibiotics and hormones), heavy metals, pesticides, industrial waste, and much more. Take matters into your own hands to ensure safe water for your family. (4)​ See resources below for information about water filters.​

  • Cookware: Replace your cookware, one piece at a time if you need to. The chemicals used to make cookware non-stick (aka Teflon) are toxic, and end up in our food and air. As we heat the pan and add in higher fat foods like oil, animal proteins, eggs, etc, we are creating a perfect storm of chemicals that leach their way right into the food. Better options include glass, cast iron, stainless steel, or ceramic cookware. See resources below for a ceramic cookware option.

  • Replace plastic cooking utensils with stainless steel or wooden utensils.

In your Home Care / Cleaning Products:

  • Get rid of ‘fragrance’ sprays, air fresheners, and scented candles, including car air fresheners. These are nothing more than chemicals that you don’t want to breathe in. Utilize essential oil diffusers, sprays, and natural candles scented with essential oils instead. Also, a bowl of white vinegar or baking soda placed in any area with strong odors should knock it out overnight.

  • Replace any toxic cleaning products with greener options, or use homemade cleaners like good old baking soda, white vinegar, lemon juice, and essential oil blends! This includes all-purpose cleaners, glass cleaners, toilet cleaner, dishwashing liquid, laundry detergent, oven cleaner, floor cleaners and more. Also, just skip the fabric softeners / dryer sheets and use dryer balls instead. See resources list below for my favorite brands.

  • Check out your cleaning products on the EWG database, and see recommendations for cleaner options. https://www.ewg.org/guides/cleaners/

In Your Body Care Products and Makeup:

  • Top Ingredients to Avoid: Added fragrance, triclosan, parabens (propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl), PEGs / polyethylene, ceteareth. For more ingredients to watch for, check out the following link: https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/contents/top-tips/

  • Check your makeup and body care products on the EWG’s Skin Deep database for a rating of how safe your products are. https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ 

  • Start replacing your makeup, hair products, nail products, lotions, soaps, deodorants and other personal care items with natural options. See resources below!

  • Consider greener options for feminine hygiene, including reusable cloth pads / liners, menstrual cup, and / or organic cotton pads / liners / tampons. Here’s a great option for reusable pads: https://periodaisle.com/

This list can go on, but the items listed above are the heavy hitters. Focus on a couple of things at a time, as this can be a gradual process. Personally, it has taken me years to reduce / avoid toxin exposure and I’m still working at it! The first step is reducing your exposure. You can also start some home detox practices to improve your elimination of these substances that we are inevitably exposed to. Read my other blog

For more guidance on creating a detoxification plan to help support your hormones, fertility, and overall health, I would love to work with you one-on-one! To schedule your visit, click here.


Resources:  

Avoiding Toxins in Food:

More information about environmental toxins, and how to avoid them:

Home Cleaning Products:

Makeup / Skincare / Deodorant:

Kitchenware: 

Apps: 

  • Seafood Watch, Monterey Bay Aquarium: Information about safe, low mercury seafood options 

  • Detox Me, Silent Spring Institute: Great app designed to take you through different stages of getting the toxins out of your food, air, water, home, and more.  

  • EWG’s Healthy Living: Scan products in your home or while shopping, and this app will give you info on any ingredients of concern. 

  • EWG Food Scores: Rates your food quality of common food items, including parameters like nutrition, ingredients of concern, and level of processing.


References:  

  1.  https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/endocrine/index.cfm 

  2. Fernandez, S. V., & Russo, J. (2010). Estrogen and Xenoestrogens in Breast Cancer. Toxicologic Pathology, 38(1), 110–122. http://doi.org/10.1177/0192623309354108 

  3. La Merrill M, Emond C, Kim MJ, et al. Toxicological Function of Adipose Tissue: Focus on Persistent Organic Pollutants. Environmental Health Perspectives. 2013;121(2):162-169. doi:10.1289/ehp.1205485.  

  4. ​https://www.ewg.org/tapwater/state-of-american-drinking-water.php#.WyJyPEgvyM8 



Dr. Natalia Pellegrino
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