Toxic Metals Impact on Hormones
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and includes the opinion of the author. Information is not meant to diagnose, treat, or cure any illness or disease. It is simply information found through experience and/or research. Always follow the directives of a licensed health professional. Neither Anita Bastian nor the publisher of the information takes any responsibility for actions readers take in regards to how they use or perceive the information. Readers are encouraged to do their own research.
Article republished. Originally published April 11, 2022.
If you struggle with hormonal issues, you are in good company. In a recent New York Post article it states that nearly half of all women ages 30-60 report having issues with hormonal balance. It is likely similar for men.
Hormones are chemical messengers in the body that influence cellular function and are vital for all bodily functions. Every bodily function depends on the balanced signaling of hormones for optimal function. When toxic metals interfere with organs involved in producing and responding to hormones, there are negative physical and emotional impacts.
SIGNS OF HORMONAL IMBALANCE IN WOMEN:
- mood swings
- irregular periods
- hot flashes
- weight gain
- brain fog
- cognitive issues like memory loss
- fatigue
- reproductive issues
Men certainly have hormonal imbalances as well. Some of the signs to watch for in men include: fatigue, unexplained weight loss or gain, and mood swings.
HOW TOXIC METALS CAN IMPACT HORMONES:
- Toxic metals like mercury, arsenic, lead, and aluminum can impair the function of enzymes needed to produce various hormones.
- Toxic metals can accumulate in the tissue of organs such as the thyroid and even in the brain impacting their ability to function. (There are three glands in the brain that are involved in hormone regulation: the pituitary, the hypothalamus, and the pineal gland.)
- In addition to arsenic being toxic to the brain, it has been shown to impact the pancreas and the hormone, insulin.
- The endocrine disrupting ability of mercury has been shown to impair the function of the hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenals, ovaries, and testes..
- It is likely toxic metals also impair the parathyroid’s ability to regulate calcium absorption.
SOURCES OF TOXIC METALS:
-
Drinking water. (Tap water and some filtered water)
- Foods such as fish like tuna and many processed foods contain toxic metals.
- Baby foods.
- Thimerosal and aluminum adjuvants in vaccines.
- Amalgam dental fillings.
When you see the sources of of toxic metals, its easy to see how we can all be affected by them. Everyone’s exposure is different depending on their environment. Everyone’s response to them is slightly different as well because of predispositions. These toxic metals are damaging also because they accumulate in our tissues. When they accumulate in organs involved in hormone production and regulation this is certainly problematic. Over time, more and more issues can gradually arise. We don’t often associate our struggles with toxins. But it is important to start being aware of their impact. Then we can take steps to limit our intake of foods that likely contain them and limit our exposure to them..
It’s also important to support your body’s natural detoxification system to remove the already accumulated toxic metals (and other chemicals toxins). You can empower your body to handle these bad guys! We truly are fearfully and wonderfully made!
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