03/15/2021
Okay, this is a scary headline…but there have been more and more scientific reports on the effects that endocrine disrupting chemicals have on female and male fertility.
Q: So, what are these chemicals and how do they affect us?
A: Let’s break it down. The truth is, they are everywhere: plastics, shampoos, soaps, cosmetics, fragrances, cushions, pesticides, canned foods and receipts. You won’t see them on ingredient labels and they can be incredibly difficult to avoid.
They interfere with normal hormonal function and mimic the body’s hormones - testosterone and estrogen, and fool our cells. The culprits are BPAs, phthalates and parabens.
PSA it’s not just women who are affected!
Reproductive health scholars have seen a major decline (59%) in s***m count and quality of average men in recent years. That includes more oddly-shaped s***m - sometimes two-headed, and fewer strong swimmers that can fertilize an egg. But most importantly, the DNA they carried was also more damaged which can lead to chromosomal abnormalities and/or miscarriage . The outlook for women isn’t great either when it comes to egg quality. This goes for anyone trying to conceive naturally or through fertility treatments!
Solutions anyone? Here are some things you can do right away:
1. When it comes to skincare, cosmetics, fragrances, household items, cleaning supplies - make sure the packaging or the brand’s website states that the product is phthalate, paraben and BPA free. Sometimes products have “fragrance” listed as an ingredient but will not disclose what that is. If in doubt, opt for fragrance-free vs unscented!
2. Use glass or metal containers for water bottles and tupperware/food storage instead of plastic.
3. Don’t microwave your food in plastic and avoid nonstick cookware.
Who’s interested in learning more about the best and safest products to use and why?
