Let's talk about endocrine disruptors & pesticides...

Have you heard the term ‘endocrine disruptors’? If not, you can probably guess what they are referring to - something that disrupts the endocrine system. I call them “hormone messer-upperers”. Very technical, I know! ;-)

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are chemicals that disrupt or mimic the endocrine system. EDCs are linked with a number of chronic health issues, including ADHD, obesity, infertility, developmental delays, and mood disorders.

Where are EDCs found?

Chemicals. Pesticides. Oral contraceptive pill. Shampoo. Conditioner. Cosmetics. Plastics. BPA. Heavy metals. Detergents. Body wash. Toys. Food. Phytoestrogens - soy milk

Let’s take a closer look at a group of common endocrine disruptors - pesticides…

A number of pesticides are EDCs.

Friends of the Earth published their own independent study on the levels of chemicals in Australian produce

Of the 125 types of pesticides detected on Australian fruit and vegetable surveyed, 45% are suspected endocrine disruptors, with 62% of all detections related to suspected endocrine disrupting pesticides

If you want to support your hormones (including insulin, thyroid hormones, cortisol, oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone and/or sleep) we reduce our exposure EDCs, including pesticides.

This study showed that some produce is detected with higher pesticide residue than others. For example, produce with high pesticide residue included apples, pears and berries. For me personally, I focus on buying large bags of organic frozen berries from Woolies and getting pesticide-free apples from my local farmers markets/green grocer, when I can. And for produce that are lower in pesticide residue like green beans - I buy conventional and non-organic bags of frozen green beans for $4 a kilo, compared to organic green beans, which are $20+ a kilo.

A lot of farmers markets have pesticide-free fruit and veg stalls, and a number of supermarkets like IGA, Coles and Woolworths have frozen organic produce.