Endocrine Disruptors and Acne

Endocrine disruptors are compounds found in our diet and environment which mimic our own hormones.  These can be potentially disruptive to normal hormonal signaling leaving our systems out of balance and overstimulated.  Research shows that endocrine disruptors can worsen conditions such as hormonal acne (as in Polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS).  The list includes plastics, pesticides, hormones in animal products and other chemicals.

What can you do?

-Avoid eating out of plastic containers and certainly do not warm or heat food in them.  Try using bamboo, stainless-steel and glass containers instead. 

-Familiarize yourself with the Dirty Dozen list of the most contaminated fruits and vegetables published each year by the Environmental Working Group (www.ewg.org).  Prioritize buying organic produce based on this list.

-When investing in organic foods, opt for clean, non-hormone meats.  Here, an important distinction should be made.  Taken directly from the US Department of Agriculture’s website,” Hormones are not allowed in raising hogs or poultry. Therefore, the claim "no hormones added" cannot be used on the labels of pork or poultry unless it is followed by a statement that says "Federal regulations prohibit the use of hormones."  This is not to say that chickens are not administered antibiotics so read your labels.  However, hormones can be administered to cattle and sheep so choose clean sources of these meats.