Replace plastic with glass
When we think of men’s health and hormones, testosterone immediately comes to mind, but oestrogen also plays an important role in hormonal balance for men. Oestrogen in men is vital for bone health, cardiovascular health, mood regulation, muscle maintenance, fertility, and sexual function, all of which are also affected by testosterone. Additionally, testosterone can be converted to estrogen in fat tissue, the brain, and other organs through an enzymatic process called aromatization.
However, too much oestrogen is not a good thing for men’s hormonal balance. Environmental toxins that act as endocrine disruptors, i.e. imbalancing hormones, include:
Phthalates which are found in vinyl flooring, detergents, soap, shampoo, deodorants, fragrances, hairspray, nail polish, plastic bags, food packaging, blood storage bags and intravenous medical tubing. Exposure to phthalates can lead reduced sperm counts in men.
Testing is the only way to assess your hormone levels. Contact your qualified naturopath or functional medicine practitioner for a DUTCH test.
Endocrine disrupting chemicals abound in our environment and it is important to be aware of sources and how to avoid them. You’ll find more detailed information in chapter 4, Environmental Toxins, and testing options in my book, which is available on Amazon as both e-book and hard copy.
