How to disrupt endocrine disruptors
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) found in cosmetics, food and beverage packaging, toys, carpeting, pesticides, and some flame retardants, may mimic or interfere with your body's hormones. This can cause malfunctioning of systems that control metabolism, heart rate, normal growth, fertility, and reproduction.
While you cannot avoid these chemicals completely (they're in air, water and food), you can make choices that reduce your health risks. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences has developed an Expert Consensus Statement and the National Institutes of Health recently gathered 300 experts to identify what we know about these chemicals and how to avoid them:
-- Eating a diet high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, low in sugar, along with physical activity and sufficient sleep may reduce EDCs' effects. It is also important to avoid ultra-processed foods -- and their packaging.
-- Probiotic and fermented foods may strengthen your intestinal microbes' ability to keep harmful chemicals -- and metals -- from entering your body. Folate and fish oil (omega-3s) in salmon and supplements also appear to be protective.
-- You can also strengthen your gut biome's ability to protect you by practicing stress management, using meditation, a healthy sleep routine and exercise. One study also found that sweating frequently can reduce the level of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in your body.
-- We also suggest you avoid EDCs in personal care products: phthalates (plasticizers in cosmetics, especially some nail polish -- and fragrance mixtures), parabens (in shampoos and toothpastes), PTFE (in eye shadow, foundation, shampoo and sunscreen). And check out "Eco-Friendly Product Guide: The Top Easy Swaps for Your Home" at iHerb.com/blog.
Dr. Mike Roizen is the founder of www.longevityplaybook.com, and Dr. Mehmet Oz is global advisor to www.iHerb.com, the world's leading online health store. Roizen and Oz are chief wellness officer emeritus at Cleveland Clinic and professor emeritus at Columbia University, respectively. Together they have written 11 New York Times bestsellers (four No. 1's).
(c)2025 Michael Roizen, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
(c) 2025 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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