What are environmental obesogens?
Table of Contents
What are environmental obesogens?
The Obesogen Hypothesis proposes that environmental chemicals, termed “obesogens,” promote obesity by acting to increase adipocyte commitment, differentiation and size, by altering metabolic setpoints or altering the hormonal regulation of appetite and satiety.
What foods are obesogens in?
Types of Obesogens
- Phytoestrogens. Phytoestrogens are found in food products, including soybeans, lentils, and chickpeas.
- Organotins. These chemicals are fungicides.
- Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
- Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs).
- Phthalates.
- Parabens.
- Pesticides.
What are obesogens and should we be concerned?
Obesogens are chemicals that may promote obesity by interfering with your metabolism and hormones. Evidence shows that human exposure may start as early as in the womb. Their impact may even affect future generations.
How do obesogens affect metabolism?
Obesogens exert their effects via reprogramming different signaling pathways that have common endpoints in tissues crucial for whole-body metabolism, resulting in increased adiposity and/or altered function of adipose tissue.
How can you prevent exposure to obesogens?
Limiting obesogen exposure
- Limit the intake of canned or processed foods.
- Avoid microwaving plastic containers or washing them in dishwasher.
- Avoid plastic bottles with recycling numbers 3, 6 or 7.
- Do not reuse single-use plastic bottles.
- Plastic food containers should be thrown away if they are etched.
How can obesogens be prevented?
How do I prevent contact with obesogens?
- Replace non-stick cookware with stainless steel or cast iron.
- Don’t buy objects containing phthalates.
- Avoid products containing bisphenol A (BPA) – usually in plastics like water bottles and food storage containers.
- Avoid canned foods if they aren’t marked BPA-free.
What foods are disruptors?
Products including meat, fish, milk, eggs and butter are most likely to be contaminated. You can cut down on your exposure by eating fewer animal products.
What do obesogens do?
Obesogens are defined as compounds which cause weight gain. They may act directly to increase the number of fat cells or the storage of fat within the cells.
What are examples of metabolism disruptors?
EDCs found in plastics, fragrances, industrial waste, and pesticides can disrupt the thyroid’s normal processes, and therefore, can disrupt day to day metabolism.
What are some common EDCs?
Transportation
| Common EDCs | Used In |
|---|---|
| DDT, Chlorpyrifos, Atrazine, 2, 4-D, Glyphosate | Pesticides |
| Lead, Phthalates, Cadmium | Children’s Products |
| Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and Dioxins | Industrial Solvents or Lubricants and their Byproducts |
| Bisphenol A (BPA), Phthalates, Phenol | Plastics and Food Storage Materials |
How do you avoid phthalates in food?
Stay away from plastic wrap and plastic food containers made from PVC, which carries the recycling label #3. Choose glass or stainless-steel food containers instead. Avoid reheating food or beverages in plastic containers. If a plastic container contains phthalates, heating increases their release into the food.
What food packaging contains phthalates?
Various different types of retail food packaging materials were found to contain one or several phthalates of interest: a glass jar metal closure with PVC gasket, a plastic container (unidentified plastic) with foiled lidding, a paper/foil/plastic laminate (beverage carton), a foil lined pouch, and several plastic bags …
Is dairy a hormone disruptor?
Dairy products, especially those with a full-fat content, contain high levels of oestrogens that can interfere with your own levels and promote endometriosis as well as, hormone-related cancers, like breast, womb or ovary.
What are disruptors in food?
Overview
- Endocrine disruptors are harmful substances found in our food, water and many common products.
- The chemicals can disrupt our hormones, creating potentially significant health risks.
- Avoiding endocrine disruptors is possible by shopping smarter for products without the chemicals.
How many EDCs are there?
There are nearly 85,000 man-made chemicals in the world, many of which people come into contact with every day. Only about one percent of them have been studied for safety; however, 1,000 or more of these chemicals may be EDCs based on their probable endocrine-interfering properties.
Which foods contain the most phthalates?
Cheeseburgers, chicken burritos and other meat products had the highest phthalate/plasticizer content, with much higher DEHT levels detected in burritos than in burgers. On the upside, cheese pizzas were among the least contaminated foods, while French fries were found to be DEHT-free.
What food products are high in phthalates?
Scientists agree that most people are mainly exposed to phthalates from the food we eat. Phthalates have been found in dairy products, meats, fish, oils & fats, baked goods, infant formula, processed foods, and fast foods.
