September 19th, 2023

Coach Sophie

Hello everyone!

I wanted to talk about hormonal health this week but without focusing on food and shifting that focus to our environment. Endocrine disruptors are substances and chemicals in our environment that can be man-made or present in nature that, over time, can have negative effects on our endocrine (hormonal) systems. The topic of endocrine disruptors can seem daunting because of how vague and vast these substances appear to be, so I thought I would share the mental cheat sheet I use to guide my purchases/practices for my own home!

These are the things I pay attention to and avoid as possible to support healthy and happy hormones:

– Fragrance: fragrance can actually mimic estrogen in the body which can affect hormonal production and release in the body. Fragrance is common in not only perfumes, but also detergents, soaps, cleaning products, candles, lotions, and more!

The swap: I like to look for products scented with organic essential oils! I also recommend simply searching non-toxic “whatever product you are looking for” online and seeing what options are available! You can always ask your coach for suggestions too

– Cookware + Tupperware: Ashley recently made a great post on IG including this as something she doesn’t mess with since healing her hormones! Cookware and plastic Tupperware can contain PFAs to give products a water repelling property but do not break down and can accumulate over time. They mimic fatty acids and interfere with our hormone systems which can alter cholesterol levels, disrupt thyroid function, add stress to kidneys and liver, and even weaken our immune system.

The swap: Non-toxic cookware and glass containers for food storage! Cookware that is pure ceramic, ceramic coated, stainless steel, or cast iron tend to be the best options

– Tap water: With the increased amount of production in the past century, tap water is unfortunately increasingly containing different substances that can have a negative impact on our health. Pesticides, herbicides, industrial pollutants, even birth control residue and PFAs have been commonly found in tap water. These compounds can dysregulate hormone production in the body.

The swap: Easy fix! Avoid drinking from BPA plastic water bottles and install a water filter at home! This can be a simple sink attachment, a pitcher with a filter, or a whole home filtration system!

– Blue light: Blue light is actually helpful to our energy levels if taken in at the right time of day. High intensity blue light comes from the sun and has a POWERFUL effect on our sleep-wake cycles. Blue light early in the day (also the light emitted by screens) can increase performance and focus. IDEALLY, we are getting that light from the sun and not screens which are an artificial source of this light. While screens in the day time are not something to avoid, screens in the evening can affect our sleep cycle hormones (melatonin production) and reduce sleep quality.

The swap: In the evening, put the screens away! I like to aim to put my screens away by the time I sit down for dinner. That isn’t always realistic though (if there is still work to do or if I am watching a movie with a friend or something like that!); in those cases, I recommend wearing blue light glasses or turning your phone/laptop to night shift if that’s an option on your device Kindles also have this option which make it a great option to read before bed!

Receipts: So random, right?! Paper receipts actually contain a high amount of BPAs (a single receipt has more than a BPA containing plastic water bottle), a known endocrine disruptor. A 2017 study showed that handling BPA paper receipts can actually lead to a measurable level of BPA found in the body.

The swap: Toxins are cumulative in the body so don’t stress about having exposure to receipts! Opt for digital receipts when possible, put the receipt in the bag, wash hands after filing your receipts at home! You can even keep a small pouch in your purse to put your receipts in

With exposure to these different endocrine disruptors, I recommend taking a gradual approach to clean swaps in your home. Being around these will not make or break your journey with a single exposure so rather than feel overwhelmed by possible exposure, control and swap what you can and just be mindful of products you consume!

Also wanted to share these links to check if a product is a good non-toxic swap!

Cosmetics (check your own products!): EWG Skin Deep® Cosmetics Database

Non-Toxic brand database: EWG VERIFIED™ : For Your Health

Ingredient scanner (web extension): Check if a Product is Non Toxic, Instantly & Free | Curious Chloride

Lastly, always feel free to ask your coach for suggestions! We are here to help make the transition to a holistic and healthy lifestyle easier and enjoyable!