REPORT / INTERNATIONAL NEWS

You think you're doing "everything right" or "eating healthy," but you might be hurting your efforts to get and stay well by not paying attention to the harmful effects of the everyday items you use at home.

Chemicals in your household products may be negatively affecting your hormones, says a recent study by the WHO (World Health Organization). The study, "State of the Science of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals," says pesticides, plasticizers and product additives contain endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). They act like synthetic hormones, throwing off the body's natural hormonal system. Hormones are chemical messengers produced by the glands in our endocrine system and released in our blood, affecting everything from mood to metabolism.

The exposure happens on a daily basis from being in contact with items like soap, shampoo, cleaners, drinking water, food and plastic containers. One of the chemicals investigated in the study is BPA, or Bisphenol A, which mimics estrogen if it's introduced into the body. It can get there by leaching out of hard plastic bottles, especially if they are heated (in microwave ovens or dishwashers) or exposed to acidic solutions (tomato sauce). BPA has been linked to breast cancer, diabetes, obesity and heart disease.

BPA was banned in baby bottles and sippy cups in 2012, but can still be found in plastic reusable food containers, measuring cups, canned soup, soda cans and cash register and ATM receipts. If you think you'll be safe if a product claims "No BPA" on the label, you'd be wrong. A new exposé by Mother Jones magazine revealed that chemicals used to replace BPA may be just as dangerous to your health, if not more. "Plastic products being advertised as BPA-free -- and sold by companies such as Evenflo, Nalgene and Tupperware -- are still releasing synthetic estrogen," the article stated.

Another chemical to be aware of is the antibacterial chemical Triclosan, found in many personal-care products, including liquid soap, deodorant, acne cream and toothpaste. A really effective way to absorb chemicals is through the mouth. For example, when a drug like nitroglycerin is administered for a heart condition it is given under the tongue for fast absorption. So are natural homeopathic remedies. So what happens when you brush with toothpaste containing Triclosan? You get a dose of the chemical.

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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/beth-greer/healthy-living-news_b_4944326.html