Precocious puberty

Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that may interfere with the body’s endocrine system and produce adverse developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune effects in both humans and wildlife. A wide range of substances, both natural and man-made, are thought to cause endocrine disruption, including pharmaceuticals, dioxin and dioxin-like compounds, polychlorinated biphenyls, DDT and other pesticides, and plasticizers such as bisphenol A. Endocrine disruptors may be found in many everyday products– including plastic bottles, metal food cans, detergents, flame retardants, food, toys, cosmetics, and pesticides. The NIEHS supports studies to determine whether exposure to endocrine disruptors may result in human health effects including lowered fertility and an increased incidence of endometriosis and some cancers. Research shows that endocrine disruptors may pose the greatest risk during prenatal and early postnatal development when organ and neural systems are forming.

http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/endocrine/
http://www.endocrinedisruption.com/home.php
http://www.natural-and-organic-choices.com/endocrine-disruptors.html

Avoid the following when possible:

1. Detergents and household products containing nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs). NPEs are hormone disruptors commonly used in many industrial processes, such as the production of oil, pulp and paper, synthetic and natural textiles and leather, and are a component of many household products. They are also used as additives in latex paints and cosmetics, as anti-oxidants and stabilizers in some plastics, and in some pesticides. A form of NPE called “Nonoxynol-9 is the active ingrediant in contraceptive spermicides.
2. Fatty foods such as: butter; cheese; “full-fat” cottage cheese, cream, ice cream, sour cream; whole milk; meat. Instead, choose low- or reduced-fat, natural and organic versions of these products. Remember, many hormonal contaminants, heavy metals, and other environmental toxins get stored in the fatty tissues of animals, as well as high-fat foods.
3. Heating food in plastic containers
4. Herbicide and pesticide use; Use non-toxic alternatives.
5. Areas recently sprayed with herbicides and/or pesticides.
6. Liquid Soaps: Some, like “Softsoap”, contain “Triclosan,” an antibacterial agent that has been associated with hormone disruption.
7. Lotions: Some contain phthalates.
8. Mercury: Mercury is used to produce button-type batteries, chlorine, fluorescent lights, pesticides, polyurethane, and thermometers, and is a component of mercury amalgam dental fillings. Request composite, gold, or porcelain fillings from your dentist, instead of mercury amalgam.
9. Batteries: Properly dispose of all dead batteries as hazardous waste, since batteries often contain cadmium, lead, and/or mercury. “Lowe’s Home Improvement” stores provide recycling containers for such batteries in their lobbies.
10. Plastics and synthetic products: Plastics often contain two chemicals considered to be hormone disruptors: bisphenol A (a key ingredient in certain kinds of hard plastics, the epoxy lining of cans used for canned foods, and some dental sealants) and phthalates (used to soften plastics).
11. Direct contact between plastic cling wrap and food, especially hot fatty food.
12. Storing fatty foods in plastic containers or plastic wrap
13. Nonstick cookware
14. Processed and refined foods.
15. Products containing “Triclosan”: An antibacterial and antifungal (disinfectant) agent found in many common household products such as acne medications, antimicrobial creams, cosmetics, deodorants, detergents, dishwashing liquids, hand sanitizers, lotions, skin cleansers, toothpaste, mouthwashes, kitchen sponges, soaps such as “Softsoap”, various plastics including children’s toys, paint, wallpaper, flooring, textiles, curtains, sandal foot beds, public railings, keyboards, countertops, faucets, even dog bowls. It is being added to an increased number of consumer products including kitchen utensils, cutting boards, socks, and trash bags.Linens may be treated with this antimicrobial treatment in the near future. (See list below).
16. Products containing “Microban” or “Biofresh”: “Triclosan” goes by the trade name “Microban” when used in plastics and clothing, and as “Biofresh” when used in acrylic fibers.
17. Shampoos and conditioners
18. Stain-resistant fabrics
19. Sunscreens: Choose organic, chemical-free, “for sensitive skin” versions of these.
20. Vinyl (PVC) blinds: These contain polyvinylchloride (PVC).

To further reduce your exposure to endocrine disruptors:

1. Educate yourself, your family, and friends about endocrine disruptors.
2. Wash your hands and those of your children often, and always before eating.
3. Heat cold water for cooking instead of using hot tap water.
4. Allow cold (not hot) water to flow from the water tap, after long period of disuse, in order to flush out lead-contaminated water.
5. Eat lower on the food chain and include a variety of beans, legumes, nuts and seeds, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
6. Eat fewer and smaller portions of fatty meat and high-fat dairy products, since many hormonal contaminants are stored in fat.
7. Choose fat-free or low-fat dairy, fish, and meat products. If you eat fish from bays, lakes, rivers, or streams, first check with your state to learn if they are contaminated.
8. When purchasing meat, choose “American Grass-Fed” products from animals that had been raised without the use of antibiotics and hormones.
9. Purchase organic food whenever possible, and eat plenty of whole-grain, high-fiber foods, in order to minimize your intake and absorption of endocrine disruptors.
10. Wash and peel non-organic fruits and vegetables.
11. Buy food grown locally and in season. Local farm methods are generally more accountable and transparent than those used in large agricultural corporations. Many pesticides whose use has been banned in the United States continue to be produced, sold to, and used in other countries, who then sell their produce back to American markets.
12. Microwave food using microwave-safe ceramic and glass cookware, instead of plastic containers and plates.
13. Use cast-iron or stainless steel cookware, instead of nonstick.
14. Reduce your use of plastics in general: Use food-safe glass or ceramic containers to store food when possible. Use a stainless steel container as a water bottle, in place of a plastic bottle. Provide children with products made from natural materials (ex., cotton, non-toxic wood toys, etc.) that are free of Bisphenol A, phthalates, and other endocrine disruptors.
15. Avoid chemicals in your personal care and cleaning products.
16. Use non-toxic, environmentally-friendly household cleansers, laundry detergents, and dishwashing liquid.
17. Exercise frequently, in order to reduce stress, promote health, boost your immunity, and help your organs and vascular system to function more efficiently.
18. Support efforts to ban or restrict the use of endocrine disruptors, and demand better regulation from the Environmental Protection Agency, Food and Drug Administration, state and local government and health department, agribusiness, industry, and manufacturers of children’s products and toys, etc.
http://www.dianesays.com/how-to-avoid-endocrine-disruptors/