“Rebecca is a 5 yr old girl who has gained 20 lbs in one year and is referred to us for premature breast development. An MRI of her head rules out a brain tumor. A pituitary evaluation to look for onset of puberty is unrevealing and tests show no estrogen in the blood. A more detailed history reveals Rebecca’s mother has recently taken to bathing her daughter in Victoria Secret’s bath gel. The assumption is that the bath gel contains plant estrogen. The mother is counseled to stop the bath gel and subsequently Rebecca’s weight gain and breast development cease.”
(Excerpt from the book Fat Chance , Chapter 15 Environmental Obesogens)
What is an Obesogen?
Chemicals that have been found to disrupt the endocrine system and promote weight and obesity are called obesogens.
How do Obesogens Promote Weight Gain?
Obesogens can both increase the number of fat cells in the body as well as promote fat storage. They can also alter metabolism in favor of storing calories as opposed to burning them. Obesogens also affect the hormones responsible for appetite and satiety.
What are Common Types of Obesogens?
Endocrine disruptors known as estrogen mimickers are obesogens found in plastics, pesticides, personal care products as well as our food and water supply. The big four are BPA which is found in plastic, parabens found in personal care products, genistein a soy and alfalfa estrogen and pesticides. Obesogens are also found in things like cigarette smoke, air pollution as well as air fresheners and cleaning products.
Ways to Reduce your Exposure Obesogens?
- Avoid plastic as much as possible, especially when it comes to food storage. Use glass. Ditch plastic water bottles in favor of glass or stainless steel. And do not cook in plastic!
- Look at the labels on all personal care products and discard any that contain parabens. Names to look for include butylparaben, isobutylparaben, ethylparaben, methylparaben and popylparaben. Check out the Skin Deep Database to find out what’s in your cosmetics.
- Eliminate soy from your diet as much as possible.
- Eat organic to avoid unnecessary exposure to pesticides.
- Avoid second-hand smoke and air pollution, ditch air fresheners and use chemical-free cleaning products.
To learn more about the estrogen connection and breast cancer, check out this link: Breast Cancer, the Estrogen Connection, Cosmetics and More. Special thanks to Kelly, one of the Healthy Living How To Facebook friends for sharing this resource!
And if this is all too much to believe, besides reading the book Fat Chance, you can also check out this recent article from the New York Times: Warnings From a Flabby Mouse.
Update
Since writing this post, I have been even more determined to find healthy personal care products. Starting with the proper care of my pits! We all want healthy pits, right? Most underarm products contain parabens, as discussed above they are no bueno and aluminum, which is linked to both dementia and cancer! I’ve tried the gamut of so-called natural products only to still have stinky pits. I recently found a healthy underarm product, and today I put it to the test. I went to the gym and worked up a sweat and my pits don’t stink! Check it out for yourself here.
Not to mention, if you suffer from PCOS they REALLY mess with your cycle. When I was going through infertility treatments I tried to cut it out completely. Hardest place to cut it out was from BPA used to can foods. This is really scary! Buy food in glass jars if available. Or try to find out if it used to can the food you are eating.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/amywestervelt/2012/03/05/under-pressure-from-parents-advocacy-groups-campbells-goes-bpa-free/
http://www.breastcancerfund.org/big-picture-solutions/make-our-products-safe/cans-not-cancer/bpa-in-kids-canned-food.html
It starts to become overwhelming – the things we need to worry about. Oy!
Wow I never heard of this….
Thank you for writing this post!
SCARY!
Do you have any suggestions for safe lotions/soaps to use?? Thanks!
Kim, my first suggestions would be check on the database I linked to in the article. Personally, I am a minimalist when it comes to what I put on my skin. I use Dr. Bronner’s and Everyday Shea brands pretty regularly and believe it or not, I’ve taken to just using coconut oil as my everyday moisturizer on my entire body, including my face.
Thanks for the reply!! Love your blog!
what is the authors name of the book “Fat Chance”? i looked the book up and there are many by that name.
You may or may not know this, but when you see light blue text it is a hyperlink that takes you to the recommendation. In this case, if you click on “Fat Chance” after the quote, you will be taken to the book.
It never ceases to amaze me the blatant disregard for human health in America. To escape it, I moved to Europe (no, I’m not joking), but the ‘capitalist mantra’ of ‘money above all’ is spreading like a pandemic. I took steps to remove these things after taking a holistic nutrition course when I was diagnosed hyperthyroid…when I recovered from the condition, doctors told me it was a fluke, and that the condition would return. I had my blood tested every 6 months over a more than 2 year period, always watchful of my diet, and my ‘beauty’ products. It’s now 7 years later, and no further thyroid issues. They were WRONG. There is a strong correlation between these endocrine disruptors and women’s health! Thanks for posting and helping increase awareness.
This is a vitally important issue to educate on. I would add that dibutyl phthalate (pronouned thal-ates) is also thought to be an ‘obesogen’ and phthalates are still commonly found in products in North America. Nail polishes invariably have dibutyl phthalate (DBP) unless specifically listed DBP-free.
Phthalates are not listed on skin care or cosmetics labels however, ‘fragrance’ or ‘parfum’ listed on the label gives a clue. I leave products on the shelf if I see fragrance, parfum or perfume listed.
It is necessary to choose skin care products with the least number of ingredients. I actually opt for edible skin care; I use jojoba oil to cleanse and shea butter to moisturise. Simple really!
After getting super sick last summer i started looking at my bathroom products along with my diet because the doctors were stumped. I came across sites like this and got mad. I’m poisoning myself and my family with consumer products???? What??!! No. No way. I threw everything out and started over with Ava Anderson Non-toxic products. I love the entire line…so much that a started making it available to whomever would listen to this message!! Every baby shower gift from me is Ava. It’s such important knowledge