It's Raining Hormones!

A Guide to Avoiding Environmental Hormones & Supporting Hormonal Balance

From the hormones used in conventional farming practices to the use of prescription hormones, to industrial hormone-like toxins, it is safe to say our environment is overflowing with hormones. In general, our bodies are quite effective at producing hormones & we don’t need extra from our environment. In fact, exposure to exogenous hormone disrupting chemicals (substances that act like hormones that come from our external environment) can disrupt our health which is why they have been linked to numerous adverse human health outcomes including alterations in sperm quality and fertility, endometriosis, early puberty, altered nervous system function, immune function, certain cancers, respiratory problems, metabolic issues, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular problems, growth, neurological and learning disabilities, and more. Below are some ways you can reduce your exposure to these endocrine disrupting chemicals. 


1. Avoid conventional dairy products.

2. Eat hormone-free meat & eggs & wild-caught fish.

• Best practice (BP): Choose pasture raised/grass-fed & finished meat & eggs.
  
  
• BP: Choose small, wild, cold water fish. Examples: salmon, sardines, anchovies, herring,  atlantic mackerel, trout, cod, croaker, hake, whiting.
  
  

3. Drink filtered water & avoid single serving plastic water bottles.

• BP: Buy a carbon-block or reverse osmosis filter for your home. Multipure (http://www.multipure.com/) and Berkey are reputable companies that make  good quality, affordable water filters.
  
  

4. Purchase a stainless steel or glass water bottle to use throughout the day.

5. Buy organic produce when possible.

• BP:  It is most important to buy the following produce organic: apples, strawberries, grapes, celery, peaches, spinach, sweet bell peppers, nectarines, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, snap peas, white potatoes, hot peppers, kale & collard greens.
  
  
• BP: Go to: http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/  to get a pesticide produce guide for your wallet so you have it while shopping. The list is updated yearly.
  
  

6. Use non-toxic body products.

• BP: Read the labels of what you put on your body. Avoid parabens, phthalates, “fragrance”, & glycol esters.
  
  

7. Use homemade or non-toxic cleaning products.

• BP: Visit this site http://www.ewg.org/guides/cleaners to find non-toxic products & recipes for homemade cleaning products.
  
  

8. Avoid canned food when possible.

• BP: Opt for food stored in glass or purchase BPA-free canned food if you do buy canned goods.
  
  

9. Avoid plastic containers, plastic bottles & plastic wrap.

• BP: Store & reheat food in glass containers, not plastic.
  
  

10. Avoid non-stick pans.

• BP: Use well-seasoned cast iron, stainless steel or enamel coated pans instead.
  
  

11. Avoid water resistant clothing & coatings.

12. Consider alternatives to hormonal birth control.

13. Use a vacuum that has a HEPA filter.

14. Avoid reupholstering foam furniture.

15. Take care when replacing old carpets. Make sure this is done in a well ventilated space.

16. Avoid the use of synthetic air fresheners & candles in your home & car. Instead diffuse therapeutic grade essential oils.

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