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Pregnant, protect yourself from endocrine disruptors
Bisphenol A, phthalates, pesticides… these chemical molecules have invaded our daily lives for decades. We now know that they have a responsibility in the increase of certain disorders and pathologies such as breast cancer, diabetes, precocious puberty. Where are these invisible pollutants hiding?
Some endocrine disruptors (EDs) are of natural origin, such as the phytoestrogens found in soybeans. But the majority of those found in our environment come from the chemical industry such as pesticides, flame retardants, parabens. These endocrine disruptors interact with our endocrine system in various ways. They attach to hormone receptors and trigger incongruous hormonal responses. For example, they can mimic the action of a hormone by triggering its receptor like, for example, estrogen which activates the thrust of the mammary gland. But they can also block the action of a natural hormone.
The fetus particularly vulnerable to endocrine disruptors
The hormonal system is very fragile at certain key periods of life: at the time of conception, during the intrauterine life of the fetus, and during puberty. When the disturbance occurs during these very sensitive phases, the effects may be irreversible. At strategic times in its development, if the fetus encounters certain endocrine disruptors, it may develop pathologies that will appear at birth or later. It is not necessarily the dose that will make the poison but the period of exposure that is decisive.
Everything is played out during the first weeks of pregnancy. Contamination occurs through us when we absorb these disruptors (through air, water or food). These substances take the same path as other nutrients that cross the placenta, then the umbilical cord, before feeding the developing baby. Studies have shown the presence of parabens, tricolsan, in the maternal urine of pregnant women. And unsurprisingly, these components were found in meconium, the baby’s first stool.
The risks of endocrine disruptors
Endocrine disruptors can induce various pathologies in the fetus: low birth weight, of the genital malformations in the little boy.
The effects can also have repercussions over time. An association between PE and metabolic disorders such as obesity, diabetes, infertility, has been established by many scientists. We have also seen these transgenerational effects with the tragic example of distilbene, a molecule used in the late 70s to limit the risk of miscarriage. The distilbene girls, but also the granddaughters, suffered from malformations of the reproductive system and developed more breast cancer.
Endocrine disruptors also expose the fetus to central nervous system dysfunction. Thus, a study published in the journal Plos One at the end of 2014 underlined that the exposure of pregnant women to phthalates was correlated with a significant drop in their child’s IQ. Other work has shown links between pesticides and autism. There are no longer any scientific studies showing a correlation between endocrine disruptors and the health of the unborn child or once an adult.
Good reflexes to protect your child against endocrine disruptors
- We pay attention to hygiene products
Still many beauty and hygiene products contain one or more endocrine disruptors, this is also why there are so many smartphone applications that allow you to navigate, by scanning the list of ingredients. The most affected products were nail polish, followed by foundations, eye makeup, makeup removers, lipsticks.
To limit its exposure, we therefore try toapply as few products as possible, and to control the composition of these products by banning those which contain: parabens, silicones, phthalates, phenoxyethanol, triclosan, alkyhenols, resorcinol, chemical UV filters, lilial. But some components do not always appear on the labels. So, for more precautions, we opt for the rawest possible products. No more coconut scent shower gels and other conditioners with a long list of ingredients!
- We favor organic food
To avoid pesticides, there is no miracle recipe: consume products from organic farming, as far as possible. Note: oily fish should not be eaten more than once a week. Salmon, for example, concentrates certain pollutants such as mercury, PCBs, pesticides and dioxins.
- We monitor food containers
Many endocrine disruptors are present in food containers. We limit plastic containers, and above all, we do not heat them! Better to transfer the contents of its plastic container to a plate before putting it in the microwave. For the plates and dishes, we prefer ceramic or glass. We replace the non-stick frying pans with stainless steel ones, and we definitively ban metal cans which, for some, still contain bisphenol A, or its close cousin, bisphenol S.
- We ventilate our house
We ventilate all the rooms as much as possible and we hunt sheep where toxins accumulate. We limit (see we completely eliminate) interior fragrances.
- We inspect our cleaning products
These pollute the interior of homes and contain many endocrine disruptors. We opt for natural products such as white vinegar, black soap and baking soda. They clean perfectly and inexpensively.
Finally, to finish, we avoid DIY work during pregnancy, and in particular painting!