Metabolic Disruptors

Do you know some people who can eat anything they want and not gain a pound? Or do you know people who exercise like crazy, eat “healthy” but cannot lose a pound? That is more the norm.

Some of that is our genetics, but most weight problems are related to hormone malfunctions. Our metabolism is made up of different hormones which regulate endocrine glands such as the thyroid, or ovaries. When our hormones are functioning properly, everything in the body is in balance and it runs smoothly.

But any factor that gets in the way of your body’s normal hormone functioning means trouble for your metabolism, making it slow down and pack on pounds.

Whenever your body has too many impurities, its ability to eliminate them is weakened, storing the extra waste in fat cells. Toxins are enveloped by fat cells to protect you (your vital organs) from harm. Stored toxins makes your body’s metabolism less efficient and slows it down, making you gain weight, feel sluggish or prone to illness.

These factors are called endocrine disruptors– any substance that somehow alters the way your hormones work. They may increase, decrease or change the normal activity of hormones.

What kinds of things disrupt our hormones and metabolism? For example: the thousands of chemical additives in our processed foods; the toxicity in plastic packaging, not to mention in our environment; the hormones fed to livestock which are passed on to us; nutrient-depleted foods and the list goes on.

And of course, when we are constantly stressed, work beyond the point of exhaustion and don’t get enough sleep– all that weakens our immune system.

All of these choices influence the way our metabolism processes food, burns calories and regulate weight.

So where can you start to help stop the invasion to your hormones?

One easy way: Be a label-reader. Before you buy that bag of Doritos, read the label.

What do you think are some things to be on the lookout for? Processed foods, hydrogenated fats (Trans fats), refined grains, high-fructose corn syrup, artificial sweeteners, artificial preservatives and colors, MSG, and other chemicals found in packaged foods. All these chemically-laden foods disrupt our normal hormone balance.