Detoxing 101
If you’ve gone down and “crunchy” wellness rabbit holes on social media, no doubt you’ve heard that absolutely everything in our modern world is TOXIC… well yes… and no. It IS true that many things that are banned in other parts of the world are legal in the U.S. due to lax product regulations (and major lobbies that intertwine politics with consumer goods… but that’s for another day). This puts the responsibility on the consumer (you and me) to read labels and often track down less convenient options in the name of health.
But there is good news: non-toxic or less toxic products are gaining popularity in the past few years! This makes them more readily available and more affordable. People are waking up to the need for modern solutions to modern problems - as much as I sometimes daydream about packing it all up and moving to a homestead, that’s not realistic for most of us city-dwelling, corporate-job-having girlies.
But first - what makes so many of our daily products “toxic”? What do they actually do to us? Is it really as big of a deal as some people think?
Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are substances that can interfere with the hormonal functions of the body. These chemicals are found in a variety of products, including plastics, personal care items, pesticides, and industrial chemicals. Understanding these EDCs and their implications on women’s health is essential, as these impacts can be particularly pronounced due to the complex nature of the female endocrine system.
Common Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals
Bisphenol A (BPA)
BPA is commonly used in the production of plastics and resins. It has been shown to mimic estrogen, leading to hormonal imbalances that may result in reproductive issues, increased breast cancer risk, and various cycle irregularities.Phthalates
These chemicals are often used as plasticizers to increase flexibility in products such as vinyl flooring and personal care items. Exposure to phthalates has been linked to alterations in testosterone levels, potential infertility, and adverse developmental outcomes in fetuses.Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
Although banned in many countries, PCBs are still found in the environment due to their persistence. PCBs can disrupt thyroid hormone levels, which are crucial for metabolism and reproductive health. Women exposed to PCBs may experience higher risks of thyroid dysfunction and adverse pregnancy outcomes.Pesticides
Certain pesticides, including organophosphates and pyrethroids, have been found to interfere with reproductive hormones. Exposure can lead to diminished fertility, pregnancy complications, and developmental disorders in children.Heavy Metals
Metals like lead, cadmium, and mercury can disrupt endocrine function and have been associated with numerous health issues, including menstrual irregularities and increased risks of reproductive cancers.
Liver Detox Pathways
The liver plays a critical role in detoxifying the body, including the breakdown and elimination of toxins, hormones, and chemicals. Two main detoxification pathways in the liver are phase I and phase II detoxification processes.
Phase I Detoxification: This phase involves the modification of toxins through oxidation, reduction, and hydrolysis. It transforms fat-soluble toxins into more water-soluble compounds. While this process is crucial, it can sometimes generate reactive intermediates that can be harmful.
Phase II Detoxification: In this phase, modified toxins from phase I are conjugated with another substance (like sulfur, glycine, or glucuronic acid) to enhance their solubility, making them easier to excrete. This process is essential for preventing the accumulation of reactive intermediates created during phase I.
How Toxic Products Affect Liver Detox Pathways
Exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals can overwhelm the liver's detoxification capacities. High levels of EDCs can impair both phase I and phase II pathways, leading to inadequate processing of hormones and toxins.
Impairment of Phase I Reactions: As EDCs interfere with liver enzymes, phase I detoxification may become inefficient. This can lead to an accumulation of reactive intermediates, increasing oxidative stress and inflammation.
Reduced Phase II Activity: EDCs can also affect the availability of nutrients necessary for phase II detoxification. For example, amino acids like glycine and important cofactors such as sulfur and vitamins might be depleted, resulting in suboptimal conjugation processes. This deficiency hampers the body’s ability to clear toxins effectively.
Hormonal Imbalances: As a result of impaired detoxification, hormonal imbalances can arise. Women may experience symptoms such as mood swings, irregular menstrual cycles, and increased susceptibility to conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or endometriosis.
Detoxifying Your Lifestyle
Reading tons of labels on hair products, cleaning products, makeup, and fragrance can be exhausting. In practice, there are some products I view as “worth” using the toxic version, and this works for me because I support my liver detox pathways and limit other toxins. For example, I use non-toxic cleaning products but still get acrylic nails.
There are several apps that can help you analyze labels - here are my favs!
