Environmental Toxins and PCOS: What You Need to Know
PCOS is one of those conditions that is so often passed off as a “lifestyle disease”, but the reality is that it is a complex condition and we don’t yet fully understand how or why people develop it. There are so many factors at play with developing PCOS, including genetics, stress, and existing insulin resistance. But one aspect that may surprise you is the potential role of environmental toxin exposure. In recent years, the conversation around Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) has slowly started to shift away from focusing solely on symptoms and treatment to exploring underlying causes, including the role of environmental factors. Among these, endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have emerged as significant contributors to the occurrence and severity of PCOS. In this blog post we will look into how exposure to environmental toxins can affect PCOS and offer strategies to minimize your exposure and help you to regain your health.
Understanding Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs)
So, what are EDCs? Endocrine-disrupting chemicals are substances found in our environment, food, and consumer products that can interfere with hormone biosynthesis, metabolism, or action, resulting in a disruption to normal hormonal function. Unfortunately, these chemicals are ubiquitous, and can be found in:
Pesticides - including products such as insect sprays and home gardening pesticide products
Plastics - including food storage containers and drink bottles
Industrial solvents - glues, cleaning products, paints and paint thinners
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) - found in petrol fumes and burning coal
Personal care products - make-up, body wash, shampoo and conditioner, hair products, lotions, nail polish and more
Glycotoxins and avdanced glycation end products (AGEs) - compounds formed by cooking foods quickly at high temperatures (e.g. frying, roasting). Sources of glycotoxins and AGEs include processed foods, grilled meats, fried foods and baked goods.
These nasty chemicals are found in so many products that people regularly use around the home, and unfortunately they can have a real impact on our health, especially with hormonal conditions like PCOS, as well as with fertility.
The Link Between EDCs and PCOS
EDCs can mimic our natural hormones, block hormonal signals, or alter the levels of hormones, leading to significant health implications. For people with PCOS this means an even greater disruption to hormonal balance and a worsening of the symptoms of PCOS.
Hormonal Mimicry and Interference
Some EDCs, such as bisphenol A (BPA - found in plastics) and phthalates (found in personal care products) can mimic oestrogen and act as very strong oestrogens within the body. In PCOS, high levels of oestrogen mean an increased conversion of oestrogen into testosterone and other androgens (excess oestrogen is converted to testosterone inside fatty tissue). High androgens are one of the key drivers of PCOS symptoms, so this means worsening of symptoms like hair loss and acne.
Insulin Resistance
Certain EDCs are implicated in worsening insulin resistance, a key feature of PCOS for many people. Certain pesticides, PAHs, glycotoxins and AGEs can all worsen insulin resistance and interfere with insulin signalling pathways, compounding the risk of metabolic issues in people with PCOS.
Inflammation and Oxidative Stress
EDC exposure can also increase inflammation and oxidative stress, two underlying factors the contribute to PCOS. Chronic exposure to these chemicals can perpetuate a cycle of inflammation, worsening your PCOS symptoms.
Reducing Exposure to EDCs
While we can’t completely eliminate EDCs from our lives, we can use strategies to reduce our exposure and mitigate their impact on PCOS. Reducing exposure to EDCs can be a crucial step in effective PCOS management. Here are some of my favourite strategies for reducing EDC exposure:
Choose Organic When Possible
Opt for organic fruits and vegetables to reduce xposure to pesticide residues. While it's not always feasible to buy everything organic, focusing on the "Dirty Dozen" list of fruits and vegetables with the highest pesticide levels is a good starting point.
Focus on Fresh, Whole and Homemade Foods
Avoiding pre-packaged and highly processed foods can help to greatly reduce your exposure to EDCs through reducing your intake of glycotoxins and AGEs, as well as through reducing your exposure to BPA leaching from plastic packaging. Choose whole foods, like fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, grains and seeds. If you do eat meat, cook low and slow to reduce producing excess AGEs.
Avoid Plastic Food and Drink Containers
BPA and phthalates can leach into food from plastic containers, especially when heated. Be aware that many plastic containers that say they are “BPA free” simply use alternative plastic chemicals that are structurally similar to BPA but may be untested, so we don’t know their health effects. Use glass or stainless steel for food storage and avoid microwaving or freezing food in plastic containers, as both freezing and heating increase the rate of chemical leakage into foods.
Be Mindful of Personal Care Products
Many personal care products contain phthalates and other EDCs. Look for products labeled as "phthalate-free" or "paraben-free," and use resources like the Environmental Working Group's (EWG) Skin Deep database to find safer alternatives. The EWG website is a great place to check for safe personal care products, or to check whether the ingredients in your current products are safe.
Reduce Indoor Air Pollution
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from paint, furniture, and air fresheners can act as EDCs. Improve indoor air quality by choosing low-VOC products, using natural cleaning products, and ensuring proper ventilation.
Drink Filtered Water
Contaminants in tap water can include EDCs. Consider using a high-quality water filter that can remove a broad range of contaminants, including pesticides, heavy metals, and industrial pollutants. Ceramic filters are more effective than the likes of the old Brita filter jugs, which don’t filter out microplastics. Health food stores often sell beautiful water filters, but Bunnings also has some great filters by brands like Stefani.
If you are looking for support for PCOS or other hormonal conditions, I’d love to work together. To book your appointment, or for a free 20-minute chat to find out how I can help you, click here.
References
PMID: 16386416
PMID: 38021644
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108989831.009
PMID: 32046531
PMID: 27559705
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157780Get rights and content
About the Author
Lizzie Stow is a clinical naturopath from Newcastle, Australia.
To find out more about Lizzie, click here.
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