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Naturopath Scott
By Scott Collins Naturopath and Founder of Grasses of Life
It could be said that hormones are both friend and foe and when they are aren’t playing nice, it can make life a living hell. Probably the most common hormone experience for women is that of their monthly cycle and when that’s right it can be a living hell.
After a close friend suddenly experienced immobilizing pain and cramping more so than ever before, we decided to start looking deeper at “Heavy Metals and Endocrine Disruptors”. We want to assess for factors that could be throwing out hormone balance and or causing weight gain issues too.
Many Environmental Toxins are potential “Endocrine Disruptors, which can be found in plastics (Bisphenol A), Insecticides, herbicide, or pthalates, parabens and heavy metals found in some cosmetics/beauty products.
Endocrine Disruptors
In 2002 the World Health Organization (WHO) defined endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), as “an exogenous substance or mixture that alters functions of the endocrine system and consequently causes adverse health effects in an intact organism, or its progeny, or (sub)populations.” (WHO, 2002)
Lets take a Look at Some Heavy Metal Endocrine Disruptors
CADMIUM:
Cadmium is a heavy metal that is found commonly in industrial applications and in more recent times is now found in many areas of modern living. Cadmium is considered to a highly toxic element which accumulates in the body such as the ovaries, testes, kidneys, and in the bones.
Cadmium is also known to affect the Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, Prolactin, of significant note is that cadmium was shown to reduce Progesterone production from the ovaries. Researchers have also indicated that Cadmium can mimic eostrogen in the body, having an mimicking estrogenic affect. Cadmium has been implicated in some cases a cause of breast changes.
We know that elevated estrogen is a contributing factor in the development of breast, increased inflammation in the body, PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrom) and weight gain.
LEAD:
Lead is another heavy metal which is found is exhaust fumes, contaminated water, old pipes, potter glazes and in old paints.
Lead exposure produces a wide range of adverse effects on human health, effects such as anemia, psychological disorders, peripheral neuropathy, nephropathy, and abdominal colic (WHO, 1995) Lead affects hormones through it’s neurological affects on the brains endocrine signalling such as the Hypothalamus. .
Lead has also been shown to affect follicle development and maturation in the ovaries which may in turn affect natural fertility and the menstrual cycle. In men it has been shown to reduce testosterone levels and increase reproductive toxicity.
We have only discussed two metals and after the hundreds of tests we have performed there is massive evidence in the scientific community to clearly demonstrate the connection between metals, hormones disruption and fertility issues.
ALLUMINIUM
Aluminium is commonly thought in regards to Alzheimer’s disease, yet it too has estrogenic properties. Of all the tests we have done Alluminium is the most common elevated metal we see in people.
The skin is especially sensitive to absorbing aluminium, for example aluminium based antiperspirants, sun screen and lipsticks may increase the body burden.
All heavy metals alsohave an effect on our minerals balance
WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT HEAVY METALS!
- Avoid toxic personal care products.
- Avoid cooking with aluminium cookware.
- Stop or avoid cigarette inhalation.
- Ask for Spectrometer Heavy Metal Test Scan
- Add minerals to your diet
- Start a deep cell detoxification program