Hormone disruptors also called endocrine disruptors are being blamed for our rising rates of:

• Endometrial cancer
• Breast cancer
• PCOS – Poly-cycstic Ovarian Syndrome
• Endometriosis
• Fibroids
• Infertility
• and other problems, including testicular & prostrate cancer in men.

We encounter hundreds or thousands of hormone disruptors every day.  They are found in plastic, metal food cans, household cleaners & detergents, food, flame retardants, toys, cosmetics, and pesticides.  They are also found in Cosmetics and health and Beauty items.  

Here are some Endocrine or Hormone disruptive compounds  to avoid if possible.

1. Parabens-  These are preservatives which help keep the cosmetics fresh and germ free.  Parabens are easily absorbed by our bodies and are flushed out but the long tern health effects are not yet clear.  Parabens were found in the breast tissue during at 2004 study.  Parabens mimic estrogen in the body.
2. Sodium Laurel Sulfates –  Sulfates are cleansing agents that remove dirt and oil and are responsible for creating lather in shampoos and soaps.  There are more than 100 varieties of sulfates.  They can be synthetic or derived from natural sources like coconut or palm oils.  Sulfates have been shown to be irritating  to human eyes and skin.  They can also strip your hair color if you dye your hair.  Sulfate-free shampoos can be found at every price point and for every hair type. Just don’t expect a big, foaming, bubbly shampoos—the cleansers in sulfate-free shampoos produce little to no foam.
3. Aluminum coumpounds-  Compounds used in antiperspirants to stop the sweat ducts from releasing sweat to the surface of the skin.  Aluminum has been linked to cancerous breast cells in a 2005 study because of it’s ability to mimic estrogen in the body.  It is also thought to be linked to Alzheimer Dementia – a study in 1965 found that injecting aluminum into rabbits’ brains led to the formation of a protein common with the degenerative disease.
4. Phthalates – A group of chemicals used in everything from plastics to cosmetics. Often used to keep materials (nail polishes, hair sprays, plastics) pliable.   studies of Phthalates  have suggested that they  are hormone disrupters, especially in children and men, and can cause damage to the reproductive system. The National Toxicology Program, in last year’s 13th Report on Carcinogens, listed Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (usually known as DEHP) as “anticipated to be a human carcinogen.” A 2007 study also linked obese or insulin-resistant American men to higher levels of DEHP in their urine.   The long term effects of Phthalates is not clear and because of the risk, many companies are removing them from their products.
5. TRICLOSAN – Tricolsan is an  antimicrobial chemical found in hand and body soaps and toothpastes.  We all know by now that antibacterial soaps are not more effective than regular soaps and may lead to Superbug formation.
6. Talc- Talc is a mineral powder made from magnesium, silicon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Often used in face powders and eye shadows. Talc that isn’t purified can be contaminated with asbestos—a known carcinogen. Studies on asbestos-free talcum powder have been largely inconclusive, but several studies have shown a small link between routine exposure and several cancers: ovarian, lung, and uterine.  I think it’s better to be safe than sorry and I long ago switched to Maize based baby powder instead of using Talc based baby powder.  Check your labels!
7. Mineral Oil – Mineral oil like Vaseline  is  a moisturizing agent derived from Petroleum.  Yuck!  A 2011 Study found Mineral oil is the largest contaminant in the human body.   Researchers found about one gram of mineral oil hydrocarbons in each person studied.  The study concluded that the presence in human fat tissue is likely due to accumulation over time from cosmetics-based exposure. Plus, untreated or mildly treated mineral oils are listed as a carcinogen by the World Health Organization.  They did find however that adding a small amount of mineral oils to products make them noncomedogenic.    The World Health Organization classifies highly refined mineral oil, the kind used in cosmetics, as group 3 in their list of carcinogens—meaning there isn’t enough evidence to consider them entirely safe or unsafe. Mineral oils can easily be replaced by hydrating and soothing pure face oils like argan, chamomile, or grape seed, which are widely available in drugstores and department stores alike.