Introduction
We know by now that plastics are not without issue in how prevalent they surround us in our daily life. We know that they have the potential to disrupt our hormones, known as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). But what can we do to avoid these harmful effects?
What are plastic-derived endocrine-disrupting chemicals?
Some of the most common endocrine-disrupting chemicals from plastics are estrogen-mimicking. This means that the chemical compounds fit into estrogen receptor sites within our body and mimic estrogen’s actions in our body. This becomes problematic because if we didn’t secrete it, our body likely doesn’t NEED it. You may also know that estrogen levels are responsible for downregulating the signaling pathway to produce testosterone.
What to look out for UNDER your plastic containers!
You might have seen BPA FREE on some water bottles or protein shaker bottles for example.
Sometimes companies will resort to BPS (often plastic #7) which is just as bad.
Another kind of common plastic hormone disruptors are phthalates
PETE, is Polyethylene TerePHTHALATE
One of the WORST containers for foods like cooking oil, because these phthalate particles have an affinity to leech into the fatty acids of the oil.
Just like it will do in your body, latching to fatty acids which control hormone regulation and will feminize us into producing more estrogen
These phthalates are estrogenic, they quite literally trick our bodies into thinking we’re pregnant…
We put on weight easily and downregulate our Testosterone levels over time
Another little known source of phthalates are Polyester, YES the fabric.
This can be in clothing, bedding, pillowcases, baby’s blankets, and crib mattresses… YES.
You can be breathing in these small fabric particles and having these ill effects just the same
Now the kicker, aluminum cans… These are ALSO lined with plastic. Whether BPA, BPS, or phthalates…
So WHAT do we do?
Because plastics have become ubiquitous in modern life, we SHOULD stay educated on what these plastics are. Look underneath each container you have, especially if it’s something you cook with or reheat food/liquids with!
Top 7 Tips to avoid Plastic Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals
- We know to avoid BPA, we know to avoid BPS (#7 plastic often) and avoid phthalates (#1 plastic & polyester fabrics)
- Do NOT add hot food/liquid or cook anything in plastic, styrofoam or paper cups
- Buy your high-quality cooking oils in GLASS bottles.
- Buy glass or ceramic bowls, tupperware, etc.
- Drink from stainless steel containers.
- Use Silicon instead for flexible sleeve containers (sous vide cooking)
- Use a sauna (infrared if possible) to literally sweat out these chemicals (3x a week for 10 minutes)
I hope this helps you out immensely man.
Doing these 7 tips have the potential to increase your Testosterone NATURALLY very significantly. It’s just a matter of staying away from all of the ills of natural society.
