How Do Synthetic Chemicals Impact Testosterone Secretion?

How Do Chemicals Hinder Testosterone Production?

Although man's ability to control chemistry and biology has changed how humans live today for the better, there are also numerous negative consequences related to our many decisions. As we produce more industrial chemicals, we are changing the nature of the environment around us.

The Problem with EDCs

Many of these chemicals can alter and impact the function of both human and animal endocrine systems. Scientifically, these chemicals are known as Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals, abbreviated EDCs. These chemicals can impact many different aspects of hormone production, and some can even affect the sex hormones, causing both males and females to demonstrate certain aspects of the opposite sex.

Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals are everywhere these days. You likely have dozens of products in your house that contain these ingredients, including common contraceptives, cleansing agents, and even certain hygiene products such as soaps and shampoos. Many foods contain ingredients that have been proven to impact hormone production. If you aren't careful, they can even contaminate your drinking water.

Many EDCs Lower Testosterone Levels in Men

Part of maintaining optimal health is recognizing potential risks and minimizing their impact as much as possible. Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals can significantly impact male health because so many degrade the natural production and function of Testosterone, which can significantly hinder male health over time.

Effect of EDC Pollution on Fish

Here is one powerful example: In Great Britain, researchers have conducted a number of studies regarding the impact of chemical pollution on the rivers and lakes throughout England. Many fish species are susceptible to chemical contamination. In many rivers associated with high pollution levels, the researchers discovered that half of the male fish were producing eggs due to EDC Contamination.

These chemicals entered the waterway primarily via sewage and were having such a tremendous impact on the ecology of the rivers that male fish were starting to transform. Although half of the male fish were producing eggs, the impact on sexual function was even more pronounced. Over three-quarters of these fish impacted by these chemicals exhibited a reduced ability to reproduce.

Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals can have an Effect on Male Health from Birth.

Without any outside stimulation, sexual development generally occurs during two periods. A certain level of sexual differentiation occurs prenatally: Primary Sex characteristics develop, and there are arguably some differences in psychological development. The period in which boys and girls change sexually and develop secondary sex characteristics is during puberty. Puberty usually occurs a bit earlier in females, but typically, this change occurs between 11-13.

EDCs Can Induce Early Puberty

In recent decades, however, scientists (and parents) have seen many children enter puberty much earlier than usual. One study released in Pediatrics discovered that boys enter puberty between 6 months and 2 years earlier than usual due to the increased incidence of childhood obesity and the increased exposure to chemicals that are triggering puberty.

This means some confident boys and girls enter puberty as early as nine years old! Although this might not seem a significant issue at face value, early puberty can impact psychological and physiological health in countless ways. Early puberty also increases the risk of developing cancers associated with the endocrine system.

Psychological Issues Related to Early Puberty

The combination of puberty and immature psychological development can lead to a number of behavioral and emotional problems, including:

• Self-Esteem Issues

• Anorexia or Other Eating Disorders

• Depression

• Increased possibility of Alcohol Exposure

• Premature Sexual Activity

• Increased Risk of STDs

Prenatal EDC Exposure

Women can also accidentally expose their children to Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals while in the womb. Exposure to these chemicals during pregnancy can impact male physiological and psychological development before birth.

For example, the male birth rate in Japan and the United States has dropped consistently over the last thirty years, meaning that more fetuses are developing into females than males.

The greater the exposure to these chemicals, the more likely the mother will bear a male child with specific testicular issues. They may develop testicles that are abnormally small, or the testicles may not properly descend fully upon puberty.

These issues, and others, significantly impact testosterone production throughout the lifespan and can also obstruct male fertility. These chemicals can significantly depress sperm count.

Exposure to EDCs has also been linked to an increased risk of Testicular and Prostate Cancer. Males that experience these symptoms are said to suffer from a disorder known as Testicular Dysgenesis Syndrome, which is directly caused by endogenous and exogenous factors that severely depress Testosterone Production.

Phthalate Contamination

One widespread group of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals is Phthalates. Overexposure to these chemicals can inhibit normal endocrine function in males, leading to feminization symptoms. These ingredients are ubiquitous in plastics and actively inhibit Testosterone Production while reducing male fertility.

Prenatal exposure to high levels of Phthalates has been strongly correlated with male birth defects. These chemicals seem to cause the male genitals to develop abnormally, causing them to be more feminine in appearance.

What do Phthalates do?

Phthalates disrupt male development and sexual function in a particular way. Studies have shown that pregnant women with DBP and DEHP, two forms of Phthalate, are significantly more likely to give birth to sons that display female characteristics.

Phthalates are in various products we use every day in America, including food packaging, plastic bags, hair sprays, perfumes, anti-antiperspirants, shampoos, soaps, detergents, vinyl flooring, and plastics used in the production of automobiles.

Other Chemicals Which Disrupt Hormone Production

Bisphenol-A (BPA) - This chemical is most commonly found in a number of plastic commodities, such as food cans, reusable bottles, and dental sealants. This chemical can affect prenatal development and increase a woman's breast cancer risk.

Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) - This chemical agent is used to create surfaces resistant to grease and water. There is also strong evidence that overexposure to this chemical increases the risk of a number of different types of cancer. Many forms of the non-stick pan use this chemical, and the highest levels of exposure likely come from a prevalent source: the inner lining of popcorn bags. It is suspected that popcorn bags contribute to the highest levels of exposure.

Vinclozin (fungicide) and Methoxychlor (insecticide) - Animal studies have shown that these two chemicals can potentially alter the fetal development of rats throughout multiple generations.

Nonylphenol Ethoxylates (NPEs) - These chemicals wreak havoc on the male endocrine system because they have characteristics that cause them to mimic the feminine hormone estrogen. These chemicals also can alter gene expression and the function of certain glands, such as the pituitary.

Bovine Growth Hormone - All animals produce their form of Growth Hormone, and many agricultural firms inject Bovine Growth Hormone into cows to speed up the growth process and produce more meat. Bovine Growth Hormone is also present in many forms of dairy products. The problem is that Bovine Growth Hormone can imitate Estrogen and Human Growth Hormone in some ways, impacting normal hormone production and function.

Non-Fermented Soy Products - Unfermented Soy contains chemicals known as phytoestrogens. Phytoestrogens are plant hormones that share much in common with Estrogen and, in high doses, can function similarly to Estrogen in the human body. In particular, infants should not be fed foods containing soy. One study shows that a child that consumes only soy formula consumes an estrogen level equal to 5 birth control pills. In addition to this, Unfermented Soy also contains proteins that can affect Thyroid Function as well.

Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) - Classically, MSG used to be added to many foods at Chinese Buffets to add flavor and induce fullness. Most people don't realize that today, most Chinese restaurants avoid adding MSG to their foods.

Still, many American restaurants and domestically processed foods contain MSG because they are not so closely scrutinized for MSG. The body creates its own necessary MSG, and the introduction of outside sources can affect natural hormone production.

In addition, the process of creating MSG produces many contaminants, peptide fragments, and amino acids not used by the human body which can hinder proper hormone health. MSG can alter both male and female fertility. In males, excess MSG consumption can drop fertility rates by as much as half. MSG can alter the menstrual cycle in women, making it harder to conceive.

Metalloestrogens - Certain inorganic elements and compounds can mimic estrogen in the human body. Among these are tin, cadmium, lead, mercury, copper, antimony, and aluminum.

Although solid metal forms of most of these Metalloestrogens are perfectly safe (except mercury, lead, cadmium, and other specific Metalloestrogens), incidental ingestion and inhalation of these products can lead to particular issues. They can copy the effects of estrogen while also preventing the proper function of Testosterone.

How to Minimize Exposure to Hormone Disrupting Contaminants

There are many ways to limit your exposure to Endocrine-Disrupting Contaminants. Of course, it will be impossible to safeguard yourself one hundred percent from these compounds, but by being conscientious, you can significantly safeguard yourself and your hormones.

You don't have to walk around in a bubble; you can conveniently change your life.

Avoid Teflon for Your Health

One way to limit exposure to these chemicals is to choose pans that do not contain Teflon or related coatings. We recommend cooking with cast-iron cookware. This cookware is affordable, and when used and maintained correctly, it is just as non-stick as Teflon.

In addition, some companies make Teflon-Alternatives entirely made out of green ingredients that are safe to consume in case they have scraped off accidentally. Ceramic pans are also an excellent choice.

Avoid Canned Foods

Also, when possible, choose dried or fresh vegetables instead of canned vegetables because cans are often sealed using oil-based chemicals, which can impact hormone balance. These chemicals, called Bisphenols, have been shown to affect fertility negatively. Excess Bisphenol exposure directly correlates with decreased Testosterone Production.

Choose Healthy Cleaning Supplies

In addition to this, be conscientious about the cleaning products you use, and always use them in a well-ventilated area, preferably with gloves. Also, seek green alternatives to your products that don't contain a melting pot of potentially unhealthy chemicals. Use natural air fresheners and green or hypo-allergenic fabric softeners and dryer sheets.

Remember that most shower curtains are made of vinyl, and choose curtains that do not contain vinyl compounds. There are a ton of cheap alternatives if you keep your eyes peeled.

Choose Organic Hygiene Products

Choose simple soaps and shampoos which only use safe ingredients. There are only a few bare essentials to a quality hygiene product, so there is no reason to choose a product filled to the brim with exotic chemicals.

Regarding your eating habits, limit your intake of processed foods and go for the real thing. In general, organic foods are superior to other forms but remember that even organic foods sometimes contain ingredients that can be harmful.

The best rule of thumb is to buy foods as close to their natural form as possible, and ideally, you should purchase food from trustworthy sellers, whether from a local farmers' market or a reputable company.

Take Control of Your Health and Your Hormones

Knowledge is the first step in safeguarding your health. By limiting your exposure to chemicals that affect your hormone production, you can maintain hormone balance more effectively, which will sustain your long-term health countless times!

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