Are you being treated with hormone therapy and feel you’ve hit a plateau? Well, you’re not alone. Environmental exposures interfere with bio-identical hormone function in the body. Our environment has become increasingly toxic. Everyday, we are exposed to a host of toxic chemicals through simple behaviors like eating a piece of fruit or sleeping in our beds. Many of these chemicals are known as hormone disruptors.
Many hormone disruptors mimic estrogen, producing symptoms like PMS, early testicular failure, central obesity or fat distribution in the hips and thighs, fatigue, muscle loss, male breast enlargement, low libido, erectile dysfunction, low testosterone, hot flashes and so much more. Others are toxic to the thyroid gland or to how thyroid hormone is processed in the body, creating thyroid hormone resistance. In addition, all of these chemicals increase the risk of cancers, asthma, cardiovascular and autoimmune disease, block cellular energy generation, create inflammation and even interfere with how we experience reward from things like food and sex.
If you are feeling sluggish, foggy, depressed or anxious or your hormone therapy is just not igniting the spark you once had, you may have a toxic burden that needs to be addressed. Below are some common hormone disruptors and strategies to begin taking control and removing them from your life where you can. Detoxification is the process of supporting the channels of elimination that get clogged up over time. If you feel you need further support to detoxify accumulated substances, we are launching our Spring Cleaning Detox, which complements your hormone therapy to support you in returning to your vibrant self. As a naturopathic doctor, I recommend a detox at least twice per year, especially for people struggling with a hormone problem. Spring is a time of renewal. How can you get the most out of your hormone therapy this year? We are here are here to help! Schedule your free 15 minute detox consultation to find out if a detox is right for you!
Endocrine disruptor | Sources | Strategies to avoid |
BPA |
**acidic foods like canned tomatoes and bottled soda will leach more BPA |
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Phthalates |
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http://www.safecosmetics.org/get-the-facts/chemicals-of-concern/ |
Fire retardants |
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Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) |
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Pesticides and herbicides |
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http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary.php
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Hormones in meat |
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Dr. Starr Ramson
Naturopathic Doctor
Medical Age Management
Endocrine Disruptors