From kitchen to bathroom: are you also using things that can disrupt hormonal balance

Suspense Crime, Digital Desk : Did you know that things already present in your home can silently disrupt your body's hormonal balance? Well yes we unknowingly invite many things that can act as hormone disruptors into our homes.These can contain endocrine disrupting chemicals, which can mimic or disrupt the natural hormones produced by the body. These may lead to a multitude of problems ranging from thyroid disorders, unexplained weight gain, fatigue, mood swings to fertility issues. Let's look at places where these toxic chemicals may be lurking and how to save yourselves:Plastic and non-stick utensils in the kitchenPlastic is easily available and is very cheap, hence we bring home numerous plastic items from kitchen utensils to lunchboxes. BPA and Phthalates are components added to plastic for strengthening and increasing flexibility; but these get released when hot food is stored in such containers and mixes with food to form hormone disruptors in the body.In similar lines, non-stick cookware is quite popular in kitchens today; this has a layer of Teflon coating, which leaches out into the food through the skin once the pans are overheated or scratched and are hence readily absorbed into the body.Beauty and skin care productsFrom toothpaste to night creams, our body uses a lot of chemical rich products everyday; parabens are present to protect our skin-care products from going bad, and thus they play the role of hormone disruptors.Phthalates too are also present in fragrances like perfume, room fresheners and scented candles that attack the endocrine system via inhalation and contact.Household cleaning productsPhenyl floor cleaners, liquid dishwashers and laundry detergents are just few names of many harsh chemicals that can pose a threat as hormone disruptors through inhalation.How to save yourselfReplace plastic bottles and kitchenware with steel, copper and glass. Use cast iron utensils rather than non-stick.In case of beauty products and skin care products, do check the labels and ensure that you opt for the paraben-free, phthalates-free, and BPA-free ones.Make cleaning solutions from natural ingredients like vinegar and baking soda.Avoid canned and processed food and focus on eating fresh, organically grown home-cooked meals.