Detoxification: Everything You Need To Know and What To Do- Part 2: Endocrine Disruptors and the Disease Burden of Plastics and Other Environmental Toxins

By Donnie Yance 

“Nature itself is the best physician.”– Hippocrates

The Costs of Chemical Exposure

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are synthetic chemicals found in pesticides and some plastics that can enter the body through the food chain and interfere with hormone balance and disturb proper endocrine health. When levels go up, so too does body-mass index (obesity), as well as the risk of several cancers, fibroid tumors, endocrine-related diseases, and infertility. Breast cancer in men is becoming more and more common as a result of these hormonal toxins.^1,2  

Exposure to pesticides (cloransulam‐methyl, diflufenzopyr, thiamethoxam, and trifluralin), was recently found to be associated with an increased risk of developing and dying from prostate cancer.³

EDCs, via daily use of plastics, are a major contributor to the overall disease burden in the U.S., and a large-scale analysis revealed that the associated costs to society amount to more than 1% of the gross domestic product.

Plastics may contain any number of endocrine-disrupting chemicals, such as:

• Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in flame-retardant additives
• Dioxins from exposed meat and dairy
• Phthalates in food packaging and store receipts  
• Bisphenols (like BPA) in plastic bottles and can linings
• and Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in nonstick cooking utensils.

These chemicals have been shown to leach into food and water, and disturb the body’s hormone systems, increasing the risk for: cancer, diabetes, reproductive disorders, neurological impairments, and even death.

The levels of dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and other organic-halogen compounds in adults, children, and even infants through nursing mothers are all going up yearly. The reason nursing mothers need to be careful is because the polybrominated biphenyl ether concentrations found in women’s breasts continue to go up with each passing year. The fatty tissue in breasts becomes a site for xenoestrogens (foreign toxic estrogens) to congregate,⁴ and this is why you don’t want to detoxify too quickly.  All these toxins can easily overburden the body’s clean-up systems.

Continuing evidence of the feminizing effects of xenoestrogens on a range of wildlife species increases the need to assess the human-health risk of these estrogen mimics.⁵

New research, published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society on January 11, 2024⁶ indicated that taken together, the disease burden from EDCs used in the manufacture of plastics added up to almost $250 billion in 2018 alone.

In a release, author Dr Leonardo Trasande warned, “The diseases due to plastics run the entire life course from preterm birth, to obesity, heart disease, and cancers. Our study drives home the need to address chemicals used in plastic materials” so as to reduce these costs and these exposures to toxic chemicals.

Co-author, Michael Belliveau, agreed saying, “We can reduce these health costs and the prevalence of chronic endocrine diseases such as diabetes and obesity if governments and companies enact policies that minimize exposure to EDCs to protect public health and the environment.”

Plastics and Chronic Disease

Recent research⁷ has found that tiny particles of plastic, referred to as microplastics or nanoplastics, lodged in the brain are linked to Parkinson’s disease (PD). “Parkinson’s disease has been called the fastest growing neurological disorder in the world,” says neurobiologist and senior author Andrew West from Duke University.

What is most interesting is that plastic interferes with the natural detoxifying process in neurons; which causes proteins to misfold.  Misfolding proteins damages neurons and leads to loss of function and is involved in many other diseases including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.⁸

In this blog entitled, “16 Herbs Scientifically Shown to Be Powerful Allies for Those with Parkinson’s” (https://www.donnieyance.com/16-herbs-scientifically-shown-to-treat-parkinsons-disease/), I provide the most important herbs in supporting people with PD. I walk you through some of these herbs and other natural compounds that can help you or a loved one facing this disease.

Our brains have the remarkable capacity to adapt, protect and change throughout our lives. This ability to form and reorganize neural pathways in response to learning, experience, injury, disease, or aging is called neuroplasticity. You may may find this blog post useful to review as well entitled, “Neuroplasticity, Brain Health, Mood, and Smarty Plants,” (https://www.donnieyance.com/neuroplasticity-brain-health-mood-and-smarty-plants/).

What Are Microplastics (Nanoplastics)? 

• Tiny plastic particles smaller than 5 millimeters (smaller than a rice grain)
• Global plastic production: 460 million metric tons per year
• Projected increase: 1.1 billion metric tons by 2050

Primary Sources:

1. Vehicle tire wear on roads
2. Degrading plastic waste
3. Environmental breakdown of plastic products

Health Impacts Show Increased Cancer Risks:

• Increased likelihood of lung cancer
• Higher rates of colon cancer
• Chronic pulmonary inflammation

Reproductive Health:

• Male infertility
• Female infertility
• Reproductive system disruption

Respiratory Issues:

• Decreased lung function
• Chronic inflammation
• Long-term respiratory complications

Microplastics In the Air May Be Leading To Lung and Colon Cancers

In The Hidden Danger of Airborne Microplastics: A Growing Health Crisis

A groundbreaking review by UC San Francisco researchers has uncovered disturbing links between airborne microplastics and severe health conditions. This comprehensive analysis of 3,000 studies reveals the urgent need to address this invisible threat.

Expert Insights Dr. Tracey J. Woodruff, UCSF Professor: “These microplastics are basically particulate matter air pollution, and we know this type of air pollution is harmful.”

Dr. Nicholas Chartres, Lead Author: “We urge regulatory agencies and policy leaders to consider the growing evidence of health harms from microplastics, including colon and lung cancer.”⁹

Global Efforts to Reduce Plastics

In March 2022, the United Nations Environment Assembly committed to a global plastics treaty to “end plastic pollution and forge an international legally binding agreement by 2024” that “addresses the full lifecycle of plastic, including its production, design and disposal.”

Scientists at the Ocean Conservancy and the University of Toronto analyzed, ”more than a dozen different types of proteins including seafood, pork, chicken, beef, and tofu. They found microplastics in nearly 90% of the samples they tested and estimated that the average American adult may consume at least 11,000 pieces of microplastic each year.” ¹⁰

Per serving, breaded shrimp had the most microplastics, followed by chicken nuggets, and even plant-based nuggets. Chicken breast, pork loin chops, and tofu had the least plastic.

Concentrations (microplastics /g tissue) differed between processing levels, with highly-processed products containing significantly more microplastics than minimally-processed products (p = 0.0049).¹¹

“Because highly processed products like breaded shrimp and chicken nuggets contained significantly more microplastic particles per gram, researchers suggested that food processing could be a source of contamination.” ¹²

This is just one more reason for the elimination of processed foods from our regular diets. Not only do they contain excessive sugar, salt, chemicals, colorings, and flavorings, but now we are learning that they contain large amounts of microplastics as well. 

4 Ocean- A Pollution Solution

To further our goal to improve the plastic problem, our supplement company Natura Health Products, has partnered with 4 Ocean (https://www.4ocean.com/) to help support the mission of cleaning up all the plastic waste from our oceans.

In 2015, Florida surfers Andrew Cooper and Alex Schulze embarked on a post-college trip to Bali in search of big waves. What they found were beaches buried in garbage.

But the friends also came home with a big idea for a multimillion-dollar business to help clean the world’s oceans.

It was on that trip that Cooper and Schulze first had the idea that led them to found 4Ocean, a for-profit business that pulls plastic and glass waste from oceans around the world in order to repurpose it by making bracelets out of those recycled materials. 4Ocean sells each bracelet for $20 with the promise that the money from each purchase will fund one pound of trash removal.

Minimizing EDC Exposure

What can health-care workers tell their patients or clients today to help them reduce their exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals?  

“There are safe and simple steps that people can take to limit their exposure to the chemicals of greatest concern,” explained Dr Leonardo Trasande in Medscape Medical News.¹³

This can be partly achieved by reducing plastic use down to its essentials. “To use an example, when you are flying, fill up a stainless-steel container after clearing security. At home, use glass or stainless steel”, to drink from rather than plastic bottles or containers.

In particular, “avoiding microwaving plastic is important,” Trasande said, “even if a container says it’s microwave-safe.” (The microwave safe designation just means that the container won’t melt in the microwave, not that it’s safe for humans to eat from.)

He warned that, “many chemicals used in plastic are not covalently bound, and heat facilitates leaching into food. Microscopic contaminants can also get into food when you microwave plastic.”

Trasande also suggests limiting canned food consumption and avoiding washing plastic food containers in automatic dishwashers due to the heat and chemical detergents.

Calculating the Disease Cost of Plastics

To accurately assess the cost vs benefits involved in the reliance on plastic production for a source of economic productivity, the current researchers calculated the attributable disease burden and cost related to EDCs used in plastic materials in the United States in 2018.

The researchers used vast amounts of industry data to determine the percentage of each endocrine-disrupting chemical that was used for plastic production and the ultimate costs to society from disease burden that it caused.

They found that for bisphenol A (BPA), 97.5% of its use, and therefore its estimated plastic-related fraction of disease burden, was related to the manufacture of plastics, while this figure was 98%-100% for phthalates. For PDBE, 98% of its use was in plastics vs 93% for PFAS.

The researchers then estimated that the total plastic-attributable disease burden in the United States in 2018 cost the nation $249 billion, or 1.22% of the gross domestic product. Of this, $159 billion was linked to PDBE exposure, which is associated with diseases such as cancer.

Moreover, the $1.02 billion plastic-attributable disease burden was associated with BPA exposure, which can have potentially harmful health effects on the immune system; followed by $66.7 billion due to phthalates, which are linked to preterm birth, reduced sperm count, and childhood obesity; and $22.4 billion due to PFAS, which are associated with kidney failure and gestational diabetes.¹⁴

EDCs Mimic Estrogen and Wreak Havoc on Our Hormones

Estrogen, being an essential class of sex hormones, is an important target of endocrine-disrupting chemicals. It is well known that environmental disruptors could activate or inhibit estrogen receptors, acting as agonists or antagonists, and thus affect the circulating estrogen concentrations and impact estrogen homeostasis.¹⁵

EDCs: a promoter of diseases targeting multiple tissues. Growing evidence reveals that EDC exposures significantly impact human health, targeting numerous tissues, including: prostate, breast, liver, thyroid, adipose tissue, brain, ovary, testis, and uterus. Developmental exposures to EDCs have more negative impacts than adult exposure since organs during development are susceptible to adverse environmental exposures. EDCs can disrupt normal development patterns and alter disease susceptibility via various hormone axes and relevant pathways. Remarkably, developmental exposures to EDCs have been shown to have lifelong ramifications and even cause transgenerational effects on male and female reproduction and other diseases.¹⁶

Diet and EDC Exposure

Diets with a high proportion of animal-based foods induce significantly higher exposures to some persistent organic pollutants (e.g., PCDD/F, brominated flame retardants), whereas these exposures are lower for Mediterranean-type diets. On the other hand, diets rich in non-organic fruits and vegetables, puts one at risk for ingesting an array of pesticides and herbicides.¹⁷ Keep in mind that nobody studies the relationships, or ‘the cocktail effect’, between the multitudes of chemicals that we are exposed to. Specific effects of these cocktails of EDCs most likely have additive or compounding detriments to health.

Chemicals and Obesity

Excess body weight constitutes one of the major health challenges for societies and healthcare systems worldwide.

Based on the available data from mechanistic, animal, and epidemiological studies including meta-analyses, the weight of evidence (pun intended) points towards the contribution of EDCs to the development of obesity-associated disorders and obesity-related adipose-tissue dysfunction by: 

1. impacting adipogenesis (growing new fat cells)
2. modulating epigenetic pathways during development, enhancing susceptibility to obesity (changing genetic expression to become more easily overweight)
3. influencing neuroendocrine signals responsible for appetite and satiety (making you feel more hungry and less full)
4. creating a proinflammatory context in adipose tissue and inducing a state of chronic subclinical inflammation (fat cells create more chronic inflammation) 
5. dysregulating gut microbiome and immune homeostasis (throws off the balance of good bacteria in the gut, and the immune system) 
6. inducing dysfunction in thermogenic adipose tissue.¹⁸ (There is a type of fat that helps to burn more calories by creating heat, but obese individuals have less of this “fat-burning fat”) 

Obesogenic endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Abbreviations: PBDEs=polybrominated diphenyl ethers; PCBs=polychlorinated biphenyls; PFAs=perfluoroalkyl substances. 

All images are originated from the free medical site http://smart.servier.com/ (accessed on 1 December 2023) by Servier licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.¹⁹

Americans Are Exposed To 5000 Times the Safe Levels of BPA

Reduced expression of tumor suppressor genes (TSG) increases susceptibility to cancers. However, only a small percentage of breast tumors are related to family history and TSG mutations. Endocrine disruptors like Bisphenol A (BPA) and arsenic compounds found in food and water may disrupt hormonal regulation, increasing cancer risk. BPA, found in food and drink containers, is widely detected in human urine and plasma. About 90% of BPA exposure comes from food. The Endocrine Society and others petition the FDA to remove BPA approvals, citing recent evidence of its lack of safety.

The petition refers to a December 2021 European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) report, “Re-evaluation of the risks to public health related to the presence of bisphenol A (BPA) in foodstuffs”, which concludes that, “there is a health concern from BPA exposure for all age groups.” Concerns include harm to the immune and reproductive systems.

The EFSA set a new tolerable daily intake of BPA at 0.04 nanogram (4% of one billionth of a gram) per kilogram of body weight per day. In 2014, the FDA estimated the average BPA intake for the US population older than 2 years was 200 ng/kg bw/day, and the 90th percentile was 500 ng/kg bw/day.

The petition states, “Using FDA’s own exposure estimates, the average American is exposed to more than 5000 times the safe level of 0.04 ng BPA/kg bw/day set by the EFSA Expert Panel. We request an expedited review by the FDA.” The transfer of BPA across the human placenta is also a great concern.

Epigenetic Disruption By Agonists of the Aromatic Hydrocarbon Receptor (AHR) and Breast-Cancer Prevention With Food Components

Exposure to environmental polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), metabolites of fatty acids (i.e. prostaglandins, PG) activate (black solid arrows) the AHR leading to activation of proliferation, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and inflammation, while disrupting cell cycle control and DNA repair tumor suppressor genes through the action of DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) enzymes. Some bioactive food components prevent (dashed back lines) AHR-induced, whereas corn oil, estrogens (E2) or overexpression of epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2) cooperate with the AHR to induce cancer processes. EVOO, extra-virgin olive oil.

Epigenetic Disruption By BPA and Breast-Cancer Prevention With Food Components

Exposure to BPA activates (black solid arrows) factors the induce proliferation, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), inflammation, and angiogenesis, while silencing through DNA methyltransferases (DNMT) the expression of cell cycle control, apoptosis, and DNA repair tumor suppressor genes. Some bioactive food components prevent (dashed back lines) BPA-induced changes, whereas phytoestrogens (i.e. genistein) under certain conditions, may cooperate with BPA to induce cancer.

Epigenetic Disruption by Arsenic and Breast-Cancer Prevention With Food Components

Exposure to arsenic (As) activates (black solid arrows) factors the induce proliferation, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), inflammation, and angiogenesis, while silencing through DNA methyltransferases (DNMT), the expression of cell cycle control and DNA repair tumor suppressor genes. Arsenic may deplete the pool of methyl groups (i.e. SAM) and induce global DNA hypomethylation. Some bioactive food components (i.e. folate, B12) may prevent (dashed back lines) As-induced changes, whereas others (i.e. alcohol) under certain conditions (i.e. carriers of BRCA-1 mutations or polymorphisms in the methyl-tetrahydrofolate reductase = MTHFR) may cooperate with arsenic to induce cancer.²⁰

Many self-selected and clinician-recommended supplements claim to “enhance detoxification” and “promote longevity,” even though supporting evidence is not apparent. Many such supplements claiming to target “detox” are based on ingredients such as chlorophyll and vitamin C, both of which have comparatively low Phase II, Nrf2, GST, or NQO1 inducer capacity.²¹ 

We have already explored Phase II detox in part one of this series; other critical detox pathways include:

Nrf2 (Nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2) is a protein in our cells that helps protect them from damage. It acts like a switch that turns on protective genes when the cell senses stress from pollution or other harmful chemicals. When Nrf2 is active, it helps the cell produce antioxidants, which fight off damage from these harmful substances. Nrf2 is critical because it helps us fight diseases linked to cellular damage like cancer and heart disease. (We will explore specific ways to promote Nrf2 even more in Part three of this series)

GST is Glutathione S-transferase, and is a family of enzymes that plays a critical role in detoxification and other life processes. GSTs are found in all tissues and organs, and are involved in detoxifying a wide range of substances, including: carcinogens, environmental toxins, oxidative-stress products, and drug metabolites.  

NQO1 or NADPH quinone dehydrogenase 1, is an enzyme that plays a vital role in cellular protection and detoxification. 

“The lover of nature is he whose inward and outward senses are still truly adjusted to each other; who has retained the spirit of infancy even into the era of manhood. His intercourse with heaven and earth becomes part of his daily food.”

— Ralph Waldo Emerson

Forest Bathing – A Great Way to Soothe Technostress

In today’s modern world, we spend a staggering 90% of our time indoors, disconnected from nature and increasingly tethered to our digital devices. This indoor-centric lifestyle, combined with constant exposure to screens and technology, can take a serious toll on both our physical and mental wellbeing. The resulting phenomenon, known as “technostress,” manifests as a unique form of tension that affects millions of people worldwide.

This negative stress response occurs when we’re overwhelmed by constant connectivity, endless notifications, and the pressure to remain digitally engaged. The effects of technostress can include everything from eye strain and poor posture to anxiety and sleep disruption. As we continue to spend more time indoors facing our screens, understanding and addressing this modern affliction becomes increasingly important for maintaining our overall health and wellness.

The Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku, which emerged in the 1980s, translates to “bathing in the forest atmosphere,” explained Qing Li, a leading researcher in the field and professor at Tokyo’s Nippon Medical School. 

In his 2018 book Forest Bathing: How Trees Can Help You Find Health and Happiness, Li emphasizes that this practice is distinct from physical activities like hiking or jogging. Instead, forest bathing is about immersing oneself in nature and connecting through all five senses—sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch.

Spending time outdoors has been shown to have significant benefits for stress reduction and mental health.²²

Conclusion

To summarize, endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are synthetic chemicals found in plastics and pesticides that can interfere with the body’s hormones thus increasing the risk for cancer, obesity, infertility and more. EDCs can enter the body through food and drink, and their effects are widespread, impacting health from early development through adulthood. 

In the U.S., the health costs linked to these chemicals amounted to about $250 billion in 2018. EDCs like bisphenols, phthalates, and PFAS, commonly found in plastic products and processed foods, contribute to long-term issues such as obesity, diabetes, and reproductive disorders. 

Experts and global initiatives are pushing for policies to reduce EDC exposure, including minimizing plastic use, avoiding microwaving in plastic containers, and reducing canned-food consumption. Reducing reliance on these chemicals could help lessen the significant health impacts associated with these plastic-related toxins.

While these statistics can be overwhelming and discouraging, I want to emphasize that there is always hope. I am optimistic about our potential for learning from and correcting these environmental mistakes. Our bodies are resilient, and can overcome and detoxify these waves of environmental chemicals when given the right stimulation.  

In Part three, I will begin to expand upon these concepts, cover several key components to detoxification, as well as introduce some important compounds and foods that impact detoxification at the individual level.

“The earth has music for those who listen.” — William Shakespeare

About the Author:

Donald R. Yance is the founder of the Mederi Center. A Clinical Master Herbalist and Certified Nutritionist, Donnie is renowned for his extraordinary knowledge and deep understanding of the healing properties of plants and nutrition, as well as of epigenetics, laboratory medicine, oncologic pathology, and molecular oncology. He is a professional member of the American Herbalists Guild, National Association of Nutrition Professionals, Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine, and the Society for Integrative Oncology.

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