By Dr. Linda J. Dobberstein, DC, Board Certified in Clinical Nutrition
Maintaining a healthy weight in today’s modern world is no longer as simple as maintaining healthy diet, exercise, and lifestyle choices. Although these fundamental habits must be applied daily, it is essential to also address the toxic milieu of chemicals we encounter.
Build-up of persistent organic pollutants (POP) in fat tissues impedes weight loss attempts. These chemicals also interfere with thyroid and leptin hormone function and cause other metabolic dysregulation further contributing to stubborn weight gain and metabolic stress.
In addition, the use of rapid weight loss techniques contributes to additional biochemical stress in the body as it dumps toxins into the bloodstream. Ongoing efforts to protect and support your body from these persistent toxic compounds must be a part of a healthy, successful weight loss plan.
Persistent Organic Pollutants
In the last century, more than 80,000 different chemicals have been introduced. Many of them were developed during or after World War II without rigorous testing for health effects. These chemicals are everywhere and inundate health in ways that mankind and our genetics have not had to manage before. These compounds have not all been individually tested for safety or tested with two or more chemicals and how they interact with each other, the environment, and you.
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) include polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), etc. They are found in chlorine-, fluorine- products, plastics and plasticizers, flame retardants, building materials, computers and electronics, waterproof clothing, personal care products, and in the automotive, agriculture, and transportation industries. These persistent toxic compounds stay in the environment anywhere from seconds to a few months to several decades or longer.
POP toxins are even found in pristine parts of the globe because of “global dust” and air currents. For example, pesticide and herbicide sprays are easily transported by air to other parts of the environment. Research from 1995 showed that as little as 0.1 of pesticides target the pest, whereas the other 99.9% goes somewhere else into the environment. Did you play in the streets when the city sprayed for mosquitoes or watch crop dusters in the country?
POP Content in Foods
POPs are in the food supply. Animal meats, fish, and dairy products that contain high amounts of fat have higher amounts of POPs because of the lipophilic nature of these compounds. For example, a report shows that 100% of beef is contaminated with DDT, a type of POP. In addition, 93% of processed cheese, ice cream, bologna, hot dogs, and turkey contain DDT. Foods imported from countries with less strict policies on pesticide use can further contribute to higher exposures. Numerous other scenarios and sources exist with POP exposures.
POPs and Humans
The National Human Adipose Tissue Survey and the EPA began measuring levels of toxins found in fat tissues in 1972. Their research shows that human adipose tissue contains the highest concentrations of some of the most persistent chemicals humans have been exposed to.
One-hundred percent of the population has various amounts of toxins in their fat cells. Whether it is pesticides like glyphosate, BPA, fire retardants, or other types of POPs, they deposit into your adipose tissue and organs by air, food and water supply, and through your skin.
POP Toxins Impede Metabolic Function
Persistent organic pollutants are in your body. If they are not fully detoxified and eliminated, they are moved rapidly out of the bloodstream and stored in your fat cells, bones, and organs. POPs are lipophilic which means they love to hide in fat cells. Studies show that individuals with a higher body mass index (BMI) have greater accumulated amounts of these persistent toxins than individuals who are lean.
These toxins readily affect and impede the function of thyroid, leptin, blood sugar, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, androgens, gut microbiome, liver function, circadian rhythms, brain function, and mitochondria function. They attach to hormone receptor sites and interfere with their function. They reprogram gene expression impairing metabolic functions years later with lifelong effects.
POPs, Thyroid, and Metabolism
The thyroid gland and its hormone functionality are highly sensitive to POP exposures. Numerous studies show that thyroid gland function and hormones TSH, T4, and T3 levels adversely change from POP exposure. Furthermore, liver function, the primary site of thyroid hormone activation, is also affected by these compounds. These effects can cause a lower metabolic rate, increase adipose tissue, and contribute to fatty liver issues.
Chronic low-level exposure of POP toxins is obesogenic, i.e. they cause weight gain putting a damper on blood sugar health and metabolism. Animal studies show that females exposed to the POP chemicals like flame retardants and PCBs are more susceptible to genetic reprogramming impairing the function of insulin and leptin, causing fatty liver metabolic syndrome.
POPs and Childhood Development
POP exposures affect all ages. These toxins are transferred through the placenta to the baby during pregnancy and by breastmilk and can affect their health lifelong. (The benefits of breastmilk still outweigh the risk of toxins in most circumstances.)
A recent study from Germany evaluated pregnant women who were found to have “substantial accumulation” of POPs. Toxin levels were measured and assessed in the children from birth to 2 years of age. Results showed that POP toxins crossed over the placenta and were found to influence the child’s thyroid function, growth, and development. POP chemicals may adversely impact neurocognitive development, sexual development, and reproduction.
Thyroid Dysfunction
A French study evaluated children from birth to 12 years of age and POP levels. Toxic POPs were found in more than 90% of boys and more than 80% of girls. The half-life of various POP chemicals identified in tests ranged from 3 to 77 years!
Both sexes experienced compromised TSH, T4, and T3 levels to varying degrees. Other background information of the study showed that 13% of mothers and 1% of fathers had been diagnosed with thyroid problems. What will thyroid function be for these children in adulthood?
POPs can affect your child’s thyroid and metabolic health in ways that you may not realize. Focus, concentration, mood, behavior, and overall mental health may be adversely impacted. Their physical growth rate, muscle growth, weight, blood sugar health, and overall metabolism are impacted. What does the future hold for youth exposed to POPs?
How about your pets that have become overweight and suffer other increasing health changes. They too are exposed to these POPs.
Rapid Weight Loss
Obese individuals who embark on a rapid weight loss program by bariatric surgery, medications, or other methods dump high amounts fat-soluble toxins into their bloodstream. These toxins recirculate through the body and move to the brain and internal organs suffering more proinflammatory damage. More oxidative stress occurs with hormone receptor sites, mitochondria, cell membranes, liver function, and normal metabolism if your body cannot adequately bind onto the toxins and remove them. Semen quality is also compromised in men post-bariatric surgery.
Proactive Steps
POPs are a chronic threat to the health of everyone at all ages. Humans, animals, oceanic life, plants, insects, the microbiome of the soil, and air quality across the globe face these challenges. You can’t change the past, but you can change your personal choices and behaviors.
Here are several proactive steps to support health and reduce personal and family exposure as much as possible.
• Eat organic and locally grown and raised foods as much as possible.
• Be mindful of your intake of high fat foods as these sources harbor POPs. Choose organic, quality products as much as possible.
• Consume cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, cauliflower, cabbage, etc.) several times per week.
• Consume a minimum of 25-35 grams/day of dietary fiber.
• Drink filtered water.
• Reduce added sugar.
• Avoid packaged foods at least 80% of the time.
• Be mindful of days with high air pollution.
• Indoor air quality is often worse than outdoor air. Use quality air filters when you are unable to open windows for fresh air.
• Use organic, plant-based personal care products.
• Read the labels on all products. Reduce or eliminate toxic products and foods that have synthetic ingredients.
• Dust your office/workspace and home regularly. POP chemicals hide in dust.
• Use organic wool and dust mite covers with your mattress and pillow. Buy an organic mattress or topper if possible.
• Use plants in your home and office to help detoxify the environment.
• Use “clean and fragrance-free” cleaning and personal care products.
• Choose personal care hygiene items made from organic sources as much as possible.
• Avoid use of synthetic air fresheners.
• Store food in glass or ceramic containers.
• Avoid cooking, reheating, and storing food in plastic containers as much as possible.
• Pregnancy, infancy, and early childhood are times of high sensitivity to these toxins. Be highly diligent about reducing exposure.
• Use a sauna. Far infrared saunas penetrate deeper into adipose tissues and are more easily tolerated.
• Slow, steady weight loss of 1-2 pounds per week allows your body to better manage toxins. Optimize these proactive streps to help your body.
• Use natural methods for weed control in your garden and lawn care.
Exercise
Exercise and physical activity are a necessity for overall health. Exercise helps your body improve metabolic function and tolerance to POPs as it causes you to sweat and helps excrete the toxins through your skin.
Exercise stimulates new growth and promotes healthy function of mitochondria. It makes your body more efficient with blood sugar, leptin, insulin, thyroid, liver function, and more even with POP exposures.
Nutrition
If you are working on improving the fitness of your fat but have plateaued, consider augmenting your body’s detoxification mechanisms to get that much needed breakthrough!
Use targeted nutritional support to help protect your body from the stress of chronic low-level exposures to POPs. Focus on detoxification, dietary fibers, hydration, pre-pro- and post-biotics, a broad variety of antioxidants and spices, and omega oils.
Top Wellness Resources supplements to support detoxification include Daily Detoxify, I3C+DIM, and Glutathione Ultra.
This support may be readily utilized with nutrients that help nourish and enhance leptin, blood sugar metabolism, and thyroid function.
Hour-glass figures, broad shoulders and trim waistlines have been slipping away and replaced with soaring obesity rates over recent decades. These toxic POP endocrine disruptor obesogenic compounds have “broken the camel’s back”.
Maintaining, or regaining your figure and health, and protecting future generations from dangerous POPs deeply depends on reduction of use and detoxification from exposure. Don’t wait. Now is the time!
