In today’s world, we are constantly surrounded by synthetic chemicals and environmental toxins, often without even realizing it. Did you know that these harmful substances to our health are known as obesogens, which can impair metabolism and contribute to obesity and insulin resistance. They can be found in everyday products like household disinfectants, cleaners, fragrances, makeup, lotions, and even food preservatives. The pervasive presence of these synthetic chemicals in our environment poses significant health risks, impacting everything from obesity and diabetes to reproductive health and cancer.

In this blog post, we’ll delve into the harmful effects of everyday toxins, understand how they work, and explore ways to mitigate their impact on our health.

What’s the Deal with Synthetic Chemicals?

Obesogens are synthetic chemicals and environmental toxins that disrupt hormonal functions, impairing our body’s metabolism in ways that lead to obesity and insulin resistance. There are nine classes of chemicals in the environment that are known to negatively impact human health, which we will delve deeper in the below sessions. Essentially, these substances are so prevalent, they are all around us, lurking in the products we use and food we consume daily. Common sources include household disinfectants and cleaners, fragrances, air fresheners, makeup, lotions, shampoos, deodorants, body wash, household paint, pharmaceutical drugs, food preservatives, and colorings.

How Do These Synthetic Chemicals Impact Our Health?

Obesogens primarily exert their harmful effects by disrupting hormonal functions. This disruption can lead to a host of health issues, including obesity, diabetes mellitus, reproductive problems, thyroid dysfunction, cancer, and neuroendocrine and neurodevelopmental disorders.

The biochemical pathways through which obesogens act include:

1. Oxidative stress: imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body which causes cell and tissue damage
2. Inflammation: your body’s SOS signal, the natural response of the immune system to harmful stimuli, but the chronic ones contribute to numerous diseases; and
3. Mitochondrial dysfunction: the energy production process within cells is disrupted which leads to metabolic disorders.

The Usual Suspects: Classes of Harmful Chemicals

There are eight notorious classes of chemicals in the environment that are known to harm human health. Here’s a closer look at each class and their common sources:

1. Parabens
   • Where to Find It: used as preservatives in cosmetics, personal care products (such as deodorants, lotions, and shampoos), and some pharmaceuticals and food products.
   • Health Impact: affects the metabolism of hormones, which regulate various aspects of biology, including neuronal development, immune function, thyroid function, metabolism, fetal development, and reproduction.
2. BPA (Bisphenol A)
   • Where to Find It: commonly found in polycarbonate plastics used in food and drink containers, such as water bottles and food storage containers. It is also present in the lining of metal cans used for food and beverages.
   • Health Impact: Increases the risk of obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, fertility, and chronic inflammation.
3. Phthalates
   • Where to Find It: used as plasticizers in a wide range of products, including vinyl flooring, plastic packaging, personal care products (such as cosmetics, nail polish, shampoos, lotions, and perfumes), and children’s toys.
   • Health Impact: Studies have demonstrated that phthalates are associated with insulin resistance, earlier onset of menopause, birth complications, early puberty, asthma, and developmental delays.
4. Triclosan
   • Where to Find It: Triclosan is found in antibacterial soaps, toothpaste, and other personal care products. It is also used in some clothing and kitchenware for its antimicrobial properties.
   • Health Impact: it has been associated with hormone disruption, immune system impairment, thyroid issues, and antibiotic resistance.
5. Dioxins
   • Where to Find It: Dioxins are by-products of industrial processes such as waste incineration, chemical manufacturing, and paper bleaching. They can also be found in certain animal products due to bioaccumulation. According to the World Health Organization, more than 90% of human exposure is through fatty animal foods, think of fatty fish, meat and dairy.
   • Health Impact: may lead to cancer, developmental and reproductive issues, skeletal abnormalities, immune system disorders, and an elevated risk of miscarriages.
6. PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances)
   • Where to Find It: PFAS are found in non-stick cookware, water-repellent fabrics, some food packaging materials, especially the grease-proof coatings for paper and cardboard food packaging (like fast-food wrappers, take-away containers). They are also used in stain-resistant carpets, and firefighting foams.
   • Health Impact: These chemicals are highly persistent in the human body and are difficult to excrete. Research indicates that PFAS may increase the risk of cancer.
7. Organophosphate Pesticides
   • Where to Find It: unfortunately, pesticides are widely used in agriculture to control insects and pests on crops, which we consume regularly. They can also be found in some household pest control products. Not only these pesticides are found in our food, they can also be found in the water system.
   • Health Impact: strongly linked to oxidative stress, respiratory problems, cancer, neurotoxic effects.
8. Heavy Metals
   • Where to Find It: Heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and cadmium can be found in contaminated water, soil, and air. Certain consumer products, such as batteries, paints, and jewelry. These heavy metals are natural substances, however, they can be toxic if they are concentrated at high levels through manufacturing and industrial processes.
   • Health Impact: Cancer, neurological damage, developmental delays.

Examples in Our Daily Lives

Let’s look at some real-world examples of how obesogens can enter our daily lives and the potential health impacts they can have:

1. Plastic Containers and Bottles
   • Example: Many plastic food and drink containers, including water bottles and food storage containers, contain BPA. When these containers are heated or damaged, BPA can leach into the food and beverages, leading to exposure. Studies have shown that BPA can disrupt hormonal functions and contribute to metabolic disorders, such as obesity and insulin resistance.
2. Cosmetics and Personal Care Products
   • Example: Phthalates and parabens are commonly found in cosmetics and personal care products like shampoos, lotions, and perfumes. These chemicals can be absorbed through the skin, leading to hormonal disruption and reproductive health issues. Research has linked phthalate exposure to decreased fertility and adverse developmental outcomes in children.
3. Household Furnishings and Clothes
   • Example: PFAS are used in stain-resistant carpets, water-repellent fabrics, and non-stick cookware. These chemicals can migrate into the air and dust within homes, leading to inhalation and ingestion exposure. Studies have shown that PFAS exposure is associated with thyroid disease, immune system suppression, and cancer.
4. Food Packaging Materials
   • Example: Certain food packaging materials, such as microwave popcorn bags and fast-food wrappers, contain PFAS. These chemicals can migrate into the food, leading to ingestion exposure. Research has linked PFAS exposure to liver damage, increased cholesterol levels, and decreased vaccine response.
5. Household Cleaning Products
   • Example: Triclosan is found in many antibacterial soaps and cleaning products. When these products are used, triclosan can enter the body through the skin or inhalation. Studies have shown that triclosan can disrupt thyroid hormone regulation and contribute to antibiotic resistance.

Mitigating Exposure to Toxins

While it may be challenging to completely eliminate exposure to toxins, there are steps we can take to reduce our risk:

• Limit the Use of Plasitcs: tons of plastic that are trashed are littered into our oceans and rivers, which leach the toxic chemicals into our water, soil, food and even air.
• Avoiding Ultra-Processed and Packaged Food for Certain Food Additives and Preservatives: Read labels and avoid processed foods with artificial colorings and preservatives. Not only the food itself contains these harmful chemicals, but the packaging also usually contain one of these toxic chemicals for the linings. Choose fresh, whole and organic foods whenever possible, not only they are more nutritious with vitamins and minerals to support your health, they are also free of these toxins.
• Using Natural or Organic Personal Care Products: Select products made with natural ingredients and free from harmful chemicals like parabens and triclosan. The Environmental working Group (EWG) has a database ranking the safety of different household and personal care products. You may checkout their website when you are next purchasing these products for safer options.
• Choosing Safer Household Products: Opt for natural or organic cleaning products, fragrances, and personal care items. Look for products labeled as “BPA-free” or “phthalate-free.” Same as the personal care products, you may check out the EWG website for more safety information prior to your purchase. Alternatively, there are many simple natural home-made solutions you can use for household products. You may combine 1 of gallon of warm water with 1/4 cup of distilled white vinegar to create a natural floor cleaning solution. This is especially helpful if you have infant and pets at home. It’s also a cheaper way to clean your floor comparing to the off-the-shelf floor cleaning products.
• Replace Products with Scents to Unscented or Change to Safer Scented Options: these include air freshener, detergents, dish soap, laundry powder, body wash and lotions, etc. The scents of these products are toxic. You may check the EWG database for safer choices or use natural alternatives.
• Supporting Policy Measures and Regulations: Advocate for stricter regulations on the use of harmful chemicals in consumer products. Support organizations working towards a healthier environment.
• Increasing Consumer Awareness: Educate yourself and others about the risks of environmental toxins and the importance of reducing exposure. Share information and resources to help others make informed choices.

Take Action: Protect Your Health and Our Future

The presence of toxins in our environment poses significant health risks, from obesity and metabolic disorders to cancer and neurodevelopmental issues. Understanding the sources and mechanisms of these harmful chemicals is crucial in mitigating their impact on our health. By making informed choices and advocating for stricter regulations, we can reduce our exposure to obesogens and create a healthier environment for ourselves and future generations.

References

• World Health Organization (WHO). (2023). Dioxins and their effects on human health.
• Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. (2020). The association of BPA exposure with obesity and metabolic outcomes.
• Environmental Health Perspectives. (2019). Endocrine-disrupting chemicals: Phthalates and Parabens.
• Molecular Psychiatry. (2018). Prenatal exposure to pesticides and neurodevelopmental outcomes.
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2023). Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs).

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