Endocrine Disrupting Compounds: And why everything needs a warning label

I was constructing my post about "What skincare ingredients to avoid" and realized that this topic needs its own dedicated exploration. The title of this post might already have some feathers ruffled, but put away your pitchforks and bear with me while I share a new perspective.

Let's Call Them Endocrine “Modifying” Compounds (EMCs)

Unless you're a venture capitalist or investor, the word "disruptor" probably has a negative connotation for you. For the purposes of this post, let's replace "disruptor" with "modifier."

What is an Endocrine Modifier?

An endocrine modifying compound (EMC) is a substance that binds with hormonal receptors on the outside of cells. This causes these cells to behave as though the hormone that the EMC mimics is present.

At this point, you might think, "This guy is really bad at making an argument," but hear me out. It's very simple: 

• If the use of an endocrine modifier helps to mitigate or correct hormonal imbalance, the effect is constructive. 
• If the use of an endocrine modifier causes hormonal imbalance or unwanted side effects, the effect is destructive.

Constructive Uses of Endocrine Modifiers

Menopause and Andropause Symptom Mitigation

Look at the creams and supplements for menopausal and post-menopausal women. You’ll see soy isoflavones, red clover extract, black cohosh, hops extracts, and licorice—all containing plant-based estrogens or phytoestrogens that can mitigate challenges from hormonal depletion, like the effects of menopause. For men experiencing andropause, you will see supplements often containing pro-androgenic herbs like Tongkat Ali, Mucuna Pruriens, and Ashwagandha.

It is important to note here that the estrogenic or androgenic properties of these naturally occuring endocrine modifying compounds are unlikely to affect your biology as a whole unless:

• They are taken orally at therapeutic dosages which means if the bottle says it boosts your testosterone levels or helps with hot flashes or any other hormonal conditions then the recommended dosage on the bottle is considered a therapeutic dose. 
• They are applied topically in a gratuitous manner. This can be a risk for those with a "more is better" mentality and like to use single ingredient products or like to DIY their skincare.

Wound Healing and Tissue Regeneration

Products advertising epidermal growth factors (EGF), conditioned media, or stem cell cultures contain compounds that mimic growth hormone and have regenerative effects. They promote wound healing and motivate cell regeneration.

Health and Wellbeing

Both naturally occurring and synthetically derived pharmaceutical EMCs are widely used to help optimize hormones on a systemic level within our bodies. Drugs like Metformin regulate the way our body resists the effects of insulin and herbs like Maca help to bring balance between estrogen and testosterone levels.

Detrimental Effects of Endocrine Modifiers: Naïve Exposure and Secondary effects.

The negative effects of EMCs result from naïve exposure to byproducts or are secondary effects of said substances. Let me explain.

In our environment: Naive exposure

The primary reason non-stick cookware was developed was to save us from scrubbing our pots and pans all night. However, to avoid hindering sales, they did not inform us that there were harmful byproducts that could potentially leech into our food. (And yes, they’ve known about this from the beginning.) The consumer was not provided all of the information upfront and therefore was not able to make an educated buying choice. This is an example of naïve exposure to EMCs. We are subject to naïve exposure in every facet of modern life. Everything from the fumes or "off-gas" from carpets, automobile interiors, coatings like paint and Scotchgard, plastic water bottles, and even the paper wrapping around your Big Mac are sources of naïve EMC exposure.

In our personal care routines: Secondary effects

The extreme scrutiny of the cosmetics industry by consumer safety groups and regulatory agencies has motivated brands to develop safer swap ingredients and discontinue the use of problematic ones so unhealthy levels of naive EMC exposure from your favorite shampoo is unlikely.  However, our “more is better” mentality can lead to overuse of personal care products that contain ingredients that may have endocrine modifying qualities as secondary effects. The teenage boy, for example, who is dousing himself in tea tree oil three times per day to help control his breakouts has an increased risk of developing gynecomastia and other hormonal imbalances due to the secondary estrogenic effects of the compounds within the oil. The overuse of paraben laden products can lead to some of the same effects as well.  

The Solution:

Everything Needs a Warning Label

Yes, even my eyes rolled when I typed that sentence, but really, if you think about it, caution labels provide more information to the consumer who can then make more educated decisions.

What if the boy above were made aware of the potential risks of overusing his essential oil product? I think he would be more likely to follow the directions that tell him to use the product sparingly.  Don't you?

It might sound alarming for the label on your essential oil to say, "overuse may lead to hormonal imbalances", or for your plastic wrap to state, "microwaving plastic releases mutagenic plasticizing compounds." It may seem ominous for your new car to have a sticker that says, “increased risk of exposure to off gas during first year of ownership. Open windows and ventilate before operating motor vehicle if it has been sitting in the sun”. However, knowledge is power, and consumers need to be aware of these possible effects so they can make informed choices for themselves. 

Now please, go and have yourself the most quality, and informed of days!

MBM

 Also, check out "Natural vs Synthetic, a balanced view"