Introduction:
The endocrine system is a major area of interest amongst this community with there being countless threads relating to testosterone or steroids. A common focus is to attack issues of low testosterone through exogenous medications or injections and, although they have their utility, there are many simpler and higher health return-on-investment approaches that can be leveraged, which is what will be extensively covered in this guide. Approaches such as diet, sleep, and anything not pertaining to endocrine disruptors most likely have a higher impact on hormone production and regulation, but this serves as a guide for those who already have those bases checked and wish to make simple yet effective lifestyle changes to better optimize their health. The following guide and actionable steps may seem like common sense, but this also serves its purpose as a reminder to everyone to put into place these easy solutions to make positive lifestyle changes.
Glossary:
The following section will provide a glossary for unfamiliar terms used throughout the guide in case there is any misunderstanding. This merely serves as an ease-of-use feature. If you are already well-versed with the terms, skip this section.
The Dangers of EDCs:
Endocrine disruptors are often thrown around various communities such as this one and social media, for example, as harmful and things to avoid, but many of us move on with our day without making any easy, low-cost, and low-investment changes. Although EDCs are described as dangerous, it often isn't described the extent at which they operate to inhibit hormonal processes. This guide will primarily focus on BPA (and consequentially BPS & BPF) as well as Phthalates as they prove to be the most prevalent, dangerous, and easily removable EDCs that plague modern-day life.
BPA is known to everybody, as it is often brought up frequently in marketing through phrases such as "BPA free". This originated as a result of findings that exposed the dangers of BPA, which essentially forced companies to make changes to appeal to certain communities that were beginning to reject these EDCs. This marketing tactic can be dangerous, and it is best to avoid plastic altogether as even though is says "BPA-free", it likely has BPS or BPF as substitutes: both of which are equally as harmful as BPA. BPA acts as a water-soluble chemical that remains in the body for only 24 hours but, if someone is continually exposed to BPA through drinking a plastic water bottle or wearing polyester clothes, it will remain in their body indefinitely until the source is removed. BPA and other EDCs can be though of as "bad vitamins" because just like how vitamins can be fat and water soluble, the same can be said for these chemicals.
Phthalates, although just as prevalent as BPA, is much lesser known and much more dangerous. Phthalates are fat-soluble which explains their increased danger. Danger can be assessed when looking at EDCs by judging the difficulty of removal for their various counterparts and, since phthalates are fat-soluble, that makes them much more persistent. Despite this, the good news is that both BPA and phthalates don't accumulate in the body in the same way heavy metals such as lead or mercury do, so there is hope for quick and easy removal given lifestyle changes are taken seriously.
Actionable Protocols:
When approaching issues of EDCs, it may seem daunting due to the sheer quantity of items that contain these harmful chemicals. That's why this guide exists to make it simple to improve your hormonal profile with minimal investment. The first area that should be examined on a personal basis when cutting out these chemicals is the return-on-investment it will have on your life. For example, if you already drink water from a well-sourced district, there is little return investing hundreds of dollars in advanced water filtration devices, whereas the easy fix may lie in the bed sheets you use. Also, if there items that contain plastic and are useful for your goals but don't have a reasonable substitute, it is permissible to continue usage. For instance, there are few skincare products that aren't packaged in plastic, but since skincare is aimed at improving appearances and health, it is ill-advised to eliminate it entirely just because it has plastic. Here is a list of common every-day objects that contain EDCs, which EDCs they contain, as well as alternatives. When looking at this list, make sure to consider your own situation and the best application for your needs to get the best return. Despite this disclaimer, the list will still be ordered from the most common to more uncommon objects that contain EDCs. This objects are listed based on their frequency of use and not necessarily their EDC content, as the main issue with EDCs lies in the continued use of them as opposed to how much you are receiving.
The endocrine system is a major area of interest amongst this community with there being countless threads relating to testosterone or steroids. A common focus is to attack issues of low testosterone through exogenous medications or injections and, although they have their utility, there are many simpler and higher health return-on-investment approaches that can be leveraged, which is what will be extensively covered in this guide. Approaches such as diet, sleep, and anything not pertaining to endocrine disruptors most likely have a higher impact on hormone production and regulation, but this serves as a guide for those who already have those bases checked and wish to make simple yet effective lifestyle changes to better optimize their health. The following guide and actionable steps may seem like common sense, but this also serves its purpose as a reminder to everyone to put into place these easy solutions to make positive lifestyle changes.
Glossary:
The following section will provide a glossary for unfamiliar terms used throughout the guide in case there is any misunderstanding. This merely serves as an ease-of-use feature. If you are already well-versed with the terms, skip this section.
EDCs refer to man-made or rarely natural substances that act to inhibit or otherwise modify the functions of the many glands responsible for secreting hormones. Two of the more pertinent glands when it comes to Looksmaxxing that are effected by these chemicals are the thyroid gland and testicles, which produce T3, T4, Testosterone, and more. (source)
BPA is a common chemical used to manufacture plastics and resins in everyday objects. It is categorized as an EDC, and it becomes a cause for concern when it is in appliances that are in close contact with the human body. (source)
BPS and BPF are both bisphenols that serve similar roles as BPA, but they are tricky as they aren't as mainstream and thus not listed on appliances. They are often used as substitutes for BPA, typically for marketing purposes. (source)
Phthalates are heavy-hitting EDCs that are also present in specifically soft-plastics, as they are used to create said texture during manufacturing. (source)
The Dangers of EDCs:
Endocrine disruptors are often thrown around various communities such as this one and social media, for example, as harmful and things to avoid, but many of us move on with our day without making any easy, low-cost, and low-investment changes. Although EDCs are described as dangerous, it often isn't described the extent at which they operate to inhibit hormonal processes. This guide will primarily focus on BPA (and consequentially BPS & BPF) as well as Phthalates as they prove to be the most prevalent, dangerous, and easily removable EDCs that plague modern-day life.
BPA is known to everybody, as it is often brought up frequently in marketing through phrases such as "BPA free". This originated as a result of findings that exposed the dangers of BPA, which essentially forced companies to make changes to appeal to certain communities that were beginning to reject these EDCs. This marketing tactic can be dangerous, and it is best to avoid plastic altogether as even though is says "BPA-free", it likely has BPS or BPF as substitutes: both of which are equally as harmful as BPA. BPA acts as a water-soluble chemical that remains in the body for only 24 hours but, if someone is continually exposed to BPA through drinking a plastic water bottle or wearing polyester clothes, it will remain in their body indefinitely until the source is removed. BPA and other EDCs can be though of as "bad vitamins" because just like how vitamins can be fat and water soluble, the same can be said for these chemicals.
Phthalates, although just as prevalent as BPA, is much lesser known and much more dangerous. Phthalates are fat-soluble which explains their increased danger. Danger can be assessed when looking at EDCs by judging the difficulty of removal for their various counterparts and, since phthalates are fat-soluble, that makes them much more persistent. Despite this, the good news is that both BPA and phthalates don't accumulate in the body in the same way heavy metals such as lead or mercury do, so there is hope for quick and easy removal given lifestyle changes are taken seriously.
Actionable Protocols:
When approaching issues of EDCs, it may seem daunting due to the sheer quantity of items that contain these harmful chemicals. That's why this guide exists to make it simple to improve your hormonal profile with minimal investment. The first area that should be examined on a personal basis when cutting out these chemicals is the return-on-investment it will have on your life. For example, if you already drink water from a well-sourced district, there is little return investing hundreds of dollars in advanced water filtration devices, whereas the easy fix may lie in the bed sheets you use. Also, if there items that contain plastic and are useful for your goals but don't have a reasonable substitute, it is permissible to continue usage. For instance, there are few skincare products that aren't packaged in plastic, but since skincare is aimed at improving appearances and health, it is ill-advised to eliminate it entirely just because it has plastic. Here is a list of common every-day objects that contain EDCs, which EDCs they contain, as well as alternatives. When looking at this list, make sure to consider your own situation and the best application for your needs to get the best return. Despite this disclaimer, the list will still be ordered from the most common to more uncommon objects that contain EDCs. This objects are listed based on their frequency of use and not necessarily their EDC content, as the main issue with EDCs lies in the continued use of them as opposed to how much you are receiving.
- Clothing and bedsheets (Comprised of any fraction of polyester, polyethylene, or any other synthetic fiber) --> Clothing (Comprised of cotton, wool, leather, or any derivative derived from an animal or plant). Prioritizing cotton underwear is especially important due to its proximity to the testicles. One method that allows your to wear any shirt while avoiding transmission of the majority of EDCs is to wear a cotton undergarment such as a tank top underneath your desired clothing. This acts a buffer between the polyester and your skin while maintaining freedom in what you can wear.
- Tap water (especially if your local water reports contain significant contaminants) --> Distilled water is the best option as it removes nearly all impurities through evaporation and condensation. A distillation filter ranges from 100 to 200 USD. Reverse Osmosis Filtration is another option that forces water through a semi-permeable membrane to remove impurities. It demands less power and time, but it is not as efficient. Make sure to store filtered water in glass containers as to not be counterintuitive to progress. (source)
- Plastic water bottles (BPA-free plastic is not safe; it still contains bisphenols) --> Metal or glass water bottles.
- Receipts --> Digital or avoid them altogether. EDCs can be absorbed cutaneously. If you are a cashier, wearing gloves may be a sustainable option as cashiers are observed to have higher EDC concentration that the average person due to their exposure to receipts alone. (source)
- Plastic food containers --> Use glass. Not the end of the world if the glass container as a plastic lid, just refrain from heating the lid as that's how the majority of the EDCs are released.
- Plastic cutting boards --> Ceramic plate or wooden cutting boards.
- Anything in plastic, soft-plastic, or any sort of resin --> Either find some alternative without plastic or simple continue use of the product. It isn't the end of the world if some of your daily usage products are plastic as the goal is to remove objects that have the highest ROI.
