Guest guest Posted July 31, 2007 Report Share Posted July 31, 2007 Questions about Endocrine Disruptors What is an endocrine disrupter? There are chemical substances, sometimes called environmental estrogens, both from natural sources and man made, that if present in the body at the right concentration and at the right time, can adversely effect hormone balance or disrupt normal function in the organs that hormones regulate (modulate?). By EPA’s working definition, endocrine disruptors "interfere with the synthesis, secretion, transport, binding, action, or elimination of natural hormones in the body that are responsible for the maintenance of homeostasis (normal cell metabolism), reproduction, development, and/or behavior." Many endocrine disruptors are thought to mimic hormones. They have chemical properties similar to hormones that allows binding to hormone specific receptors on the cells of target organs. However, endocrine disruptor chemistry varies greatly, as does potency -- the effectiveness in binding and "turning on" the response. Most endocrine disruptors have very low potency as their chemistry is significantly different from the hormones they mimic. Lower potency means that a greater amount of endocrine disruptor is required to elicit the same response of the hormone they mimic. In addition to potency, the potential for a hormone-like effect depends on dose. For all known endocrine disruptors there is some dose, below which there will be no effect. At doses slightly above this threshold some endocrine disruptors elicit a beneficial effect, whereas at higher doses the effect is adverse (harmful). Please see EXTOXNET FAQs Endocrine Disruptors - Phytoestrogens. What chemicals cause endocrine disruption? Drugs have been specifically designed to treat hormone imbalance in humans. Diethylstilbesterol (DES), a drug with strong estrogenic properties administered to pregnant women until 1971 to prevent miscarriages, is a tragic example. Female children of mothers who took DES during pregnancy have a higher incidence of certain forms of ovarian and vaginal cancer. However, there are many drugs that mimic or otherwise affect hormone balance which are important to modern medicine. Other man made chemicals, with unintentional hormone-like activity include: pesticides such as DDT, vinclozolin, endosulfan, toxaphene, dieldrin, and DBCP, and industrial chemicals and byproducts such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins, and phenols. Some of these phenols are breakdown products of surfactants, found in soaps and detergents. Also implicated are heavy metals, plastics, cosmetics, textiles, paints, lubricants. Sewage treatment effluent may contain a variety of natural and man made endocrine disruptors, including natural hormones from animal and human waste. Currently, there are no standard tests to determine if a chemical is an endocrine disruptor. However, both the Clean Water Act and the Food Quality Protection Act require the EPA to develop test methods by 1999. As many endocrine disruptors are thought to affect sex hormone function, and therefore reproduction, the findings in multigeneration animal studies, currently required for pesticide registration by EPA, can provide strong evidence of the potential for endocrine disruption. What natural chemicals have endocrine activity? There are natural chemicals in plants that have hormone-like activity. These chemicals, mostly phytoestrogens, are found in high levels in broccoli, cauliflower, soybeans, carrots, oats, rice, onions, legumes, apples, potatoes, beer, and coffee. Most phytoestrogens have weak activity (low potency) and people who consume diets rich in these substances may have a reduced risk of developing some hormone related diseases. However, the actual health risk or benefit of a diet rich in plant hormones is largely unknown. Some researchers argue that dietary consumption of plant hormones dwarfs the potential exposure from man made sources. Please see EXTOXNET -Phytoestrogens.Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 31, 2007 Report Share Posted July 31, 2007  Darling Dede: How is our Angel today? thank you for this article, I took DES for nausea when I was pregnant with my daughter Colleen. She blames me for this; however, I knew nothing about this drug in those days...I thought that doctors were Gods. She has lupus...could there be a connection? Honey, we have to plant two little trees this morning, and it is raining. Good day to plant trees. Love you so...Lea and Superman ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~````````````` endocrine disruptors Questions about Endocrine Disruptors What is an endocrine disrupter? There are chemical substances, sometimes called environmental estrogens, both from natural sources and man made, that if present in the body at the right concentration and at the right time, can adversely effect hormone balance or disrupt normal function in the organs that hormones regulate (modulate?). By EPA’s working definition, endocrine disruptors "interfere with the synthesis, secretion, transport, binding, action, or elimination of natural hormones in the body that are responsible for the maintenance of homeostasis (normal cell metabolism), reproduction, development, and/or behavior." Many endocrine disruptors are thought to mimic hormones. They have chemical properties similar to hormones that allows binding to hormone specific receptors on the cells of target organs. However, endocrine disruptor chemistry varies greatly, as does potency -- the effectiveness in binding and "turning on" the response. Most endocrine disruptors have very low potency as their chemistry is significantly different from the hormones they mimic. Lower potency means that a greater amount of endocrine disruptor is required to elicit the same response of the hormone they mimic. In addition to potency, the potential for a hormone-like effect depends on dose. For all known endocrine disruptors there is some dose, below which there will be no effect. At doses slightly above this threshold some endocrine disruptors elicit a beneficial effect, whereas at higher doses the effect is adverse (harmful). Please see EXTOXNET FAQs Endocrine Disruptors - Phytoestrogens. What chemicals cause endocrine disruption? Drugs have been specifically designed to treat hormone imbalance in humans. Diethylstilbesterol (DES), a drug with strong estrogenic properties administered to pregnant women until 1971 to prevent miscarriages, is a tragic example. Female children of mothers who took DES during pregnancy have a higher incidence of certain forms of ovarian and vaginal cancer. However, there are many drugs that mimic or otherwise affect hormone balance which are important to modern medicine. Other man made chemicals, with unintentional hormone-like activity include: pesticides such as DDT, vinclozolin, endosulfan, toxaphene, dieldrin, and DBCP, and industrial chemicals and byproducts such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins, and phenols. Some of these phenols are breakdown products of surfactants, found in soaps and detergents. Also implicated are heavy metals, plastics, cosmetics, textiles, paints, lubricants. Sewage treatment effluent may contain a variety of natural and man made endocrine disruptors, including natural hormones from animal and human waste. Currently, there are no standard tests to determine if a chemical is an endocrine disruptor. However, both the Clean Water Act and the Food Quality Protection Act require the EPA to develop test methods by 1999. As many endocrine disruptors are thought to affect sex hormone function, and therefore reproduction, the findings in multigeneration animal studies, currently required for pesticide registration by EPA, can provide strong evidence of the potential for endocrine disruption. What natural chemicals have endocrine activity? There are natural chemicals in plants that have hormone-like activity. These chemicals, mostly phytoestrogens, are found in high levels in broccoli, cauliflower, soybeans, carrots, oats, rice, onions, legumes, apples, potatoes, beer, and coffee. Most phytoestrogens have weak activity (low potency) and people who consume diets rich in these substances may have a reduced risk of developing some hormone related diseases. However, the actual health risk or benefit of a diet rich in plant hormones is largely unknown. Some researchers argue that dietary consumption of plant hormones dwarfs the potential exposure from man made sources. Please see EXTOXNET -Phytoestrogens. Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 3, 2007 Report Share Posted August 3, 2007 DES Breast Cancer Diethylstilbestrol Daughters Side Effects I remember when I worked in OB/gyn, there were many DES babies. A very mean and dangerous drug. I remember reading many medical books and journals, and seeing babies born with copper 7 's ( the IUD) implanted into their skulls, and things like that.........BLAME should be put where it belongs, with the drug companies and doctors that didnt research what they were selling. The public is grossly deceived by the entire medical system. They need to be brought back down a few notches, back to truth and reality. Did you get your little trees planted ? I know this message is from the 31st, I am just still behind..........How are you doing today? Love you bunches ! DedeGet a sneak peek of the all-new AOL.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 31, 2008 Report Share Posted March 31, 2008 Thanks for posting this info Sheila. Yes, I was aware of all of this stuff, especially because I know people who have multiple chemical sensitivities. It permeates into so many parts of our lives. Even if you buy a new mattress for your bed, you have to be careful about the flame retardants that are used. These chemicals are one of the reasons why people need to recycle the plastic bottles that water comes in. I've read that plastic apparently breaks down with repeated use and toxins are released into the fluid in the water. I think that Flinders University in Australia did a study about this. It ended up in the news. So many more examples. It is really good that you have bought this to people's attention Sheila. > > http://www.niehs.nih.gov:80/health/topics/agents/endocrine/index.cfm - Anybody seen what is happening here? > > Luv - Sheila > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 31, 2008 Report Share Posted March 31, 2008 Hi Sheila, http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00011388 this trial looks for effects from such as 'agent orange' ! It'll make interesting reading when it's published. best wishes Bob > > http://www.niehs.nih.gov:80/health/topics/agents/endocrine/index.cfm - Anybody seen what is happening here? > > Luv - Sheila > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 31, 2008 Report Share Posted March 31, 2008 I believe a lot of this is known by the powers that be. has been for a long time. luv Dawn the paranoid lol " just because your paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get ya " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 1, 2008 Report Share Posted April 1, 2008 Well 'Dawn the Paranoid '- just let's hope that TPA-UK will one day turn the tables, and it will be the "powers that be" who will eventually turn and it will be their turn to be paranoid. They won't know what will be thrown at them next. Tee Hee! Luv - Sheila (one BTA disruptor) I believe a lot of this is known by the powers that be. has been for along time. luv Dawn the paranoid lol"just because your paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get ya" No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.519 / Virus Database: 269.22.1/1352 - Release Date: 31/03/2008 10:13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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