Receipts May Be a Source of Endocrine Disruptor

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Story at-a-glance

Thermal paper typically used for receipts contains the endocrine-disrupting chemical bisphenol-A (BPA)

After handling receipts, BPA was found in all study participants’ urine and the concentration of BPA in the urine samples had increased as well

Past research has shown that holding receipt paper for only five seconds was enough to transfer BPA onto your skin, and the amount of BPA transferred increased by about 10 times if fingers were wet or greasy

Other common sources of BPA exposure include canned foods, soda cans, plastics (even some BPA-free plastics), and paper currency, which may be contaminated by receipts stored nearby (such as in your wallet)

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals are similar in structure to natural sex hormones such as estrogen. By mimicking natural hormones, they have a number of adverse effects on both humans and wildlife, including developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune system damage.

One of the most talked about endocrine disrupters is bisphenol-A (BPA), a pervasive chemical used in plastics and the lining of canned goods. These are thought to be the two primary routes of exposure, but research is uncovering another route that has received little attention: thermal receipt paper.

Cash-Register Receipts Are an Overlooked Source of BPA Exposure

You probably don’t think twice about handling a cash-register receipt on your way out of the grocery store (or replacing that paper in the register if you work there). But you should.

Thermal paper has a coating that turns black when heat is applied (the printer in a cash register applies heat to the paper, allowing it to print numbers and letters). It also contains BPA, and research shows that handling this type of paper is enough to increase your bodily levels.

Though the amount of BPA transferred from a receipt may be small, think about how many times you handle receipts in any given week. It’s these frequent, small exposures that add up over time, significantly contributing to your body’s toxic load.

And for those who are most vulnerable to BPA’s toxic effects – pregnant women, infants, and children – handling receipts may pose an unnecessary risk that few are aware of.

Handling Receipts Increases Your Levels of BPA

Researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health recruited 24 students and staff members to take part in the study. Considering the toxic nature of BPA on development, it was required that the participants were not pregnant.

They were then asked to handle receipts for two hours with their bare hands. Before this, 20 of the 24 participants had measurable levels of BPA in their urine. Afterward, BPA was found in all of the participants’ urine. The concentration of BPA in the urine samples increased as well.¹

One week later, for the second part of the study, the participants handled receipts with gloves on, which led to no significant increase in BPA levels. The findings were clear enough that the researchers suggested cashiers and bank tellers may want to wear gloves if they handle receipts frequently.

This is especially important if they’re pregnant or of child-bearing age (nitrile gloves were used in the study; it’s not yet known if latex or other gloves will prevent BPA exposure).

BPA May Transfer to Your Skin After Holding a Receipt for Just 5 Seconds

Past research also suggests caution is warranted when handling receipts, even if you only hold them long enough to put in your wallet. A study in Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry found that of 13 thermal printing papers analyzed, 11 contained BPA.²

Holding the paper for just five seconds was enough to transfer BPA your person’s skin, and the amount of BPA transferred increased by about 10 times if fingers were wet or greasy (such as if you’ve just applied lotion or eaten greasy food).

Finally, because receipts are often stored next to paper currency in people’s wallets, paper currency may also be contaminated with BPA. In a study published in Environmental Science and Technology, researchers analyzed paper currencies from 21 countries for the presence of BPA, and the chemical was detected in every sample.³

They also measured the transfer of BPA from thermal receipt paper to currency by placing the two together in a wallet for 24 hours. This dramatically increased the concentrations of BPA on the money, which again suggests that handling receipts, and potentially paper currency, may increase your BPA levels.

Eating Canned Foods Is an Even Greater BPA Threat

While handling receipts was a definite source of BPA exposure, it “only” increased levels by about one-quarter of what would be expected from eating canned soup.⁴ BPA is commonly thought of as a plastics chemical, but it’s becoming clear that canned goods may be an even greater route of exposure than plastics.

According to one study, eating canned soup for five days increased study participants’ urinary concentrations of BPA by more than 1,000% compared to eating freshly made soup.⁵ For this reason, avoiding canned goods as much as possible is one of my topmost recommendations for avoiding exposure to this ubiquitous chemical toxin.

This is not to downplay the importance of avoiding BPA-containing plastics, of course, but ideally you should seek to avoid as many sources of BPA (and other endocrine disrupters) as possible. In terms of BPA, this includes avoiding:

Canned foods and soda cans

All BPA-containing plastics and food packaging

Certain tooth sealants

Certain BPA-free plastics (which can contain similar endocrine-disrupting chemicals)

Receipts and currency (seek to limit or avoid carrying receipts in your wallet or purse, as it appears the chemical is transferring onto other surfaces it touches. It would also be wise to wash your hands after handling receipts and currency, and avoid handling them particularly if you’ve just put on lotion or have any other greasy substance on your hands, as this may increase your exposure)

‘ADA’ Plastics Chemical Found in Hundreds of US Foods

The reason why it’s so important to minimize your exposure to even low levels of environmental chemicals is because there are so many of them out there. BPA is just one. Another is azodicarbonamide (ADA), a chemical that recently made headlines after Subway announced it would remove ADA from its bread.

Azodicarbonamide is used as a dough conditioner and flour bleaching agent in commercial baking; it’s also used to improve elasticity in yoga mats, shoe rubber, and other materials, like synthetic leather. There is concern that azodicarbonamide might cause chronic diseases including cancer and, possibly, asthma and allergies, and some US consumer groups have called for it to be removed from foods.

While ADA is banned as a food additive in Australia and some European countries, a report by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) found that it is used in close to 500 US foods, including breads, bagels, tortillas, hamburger and hot dog buns, pizza, pastries, and more made by name brands such as Pillsbury, Sara Lee, Shoprite, Safeway, Smucker’s, Fleischman’s, Jimmy Dean, Kroger, Little Debbie, Tyson, and Wonder.⁶

The World Health Organization has reported that ADA may increase the risk of respiratory problems and skin irritation in workers that handle the chemical and EWG points out that this is yet one more additive that has not been extensively tested to determine its health effects in humans. As EWG reported:⁷

“One thing is clear: ADA is not food, as food has been defined for most of human history. It is an industrial chemical added to bread for the convenience of industrial bakers. In centuries past, flour fresh from the mill had to age several months before it could be kneaded into dough and popped into the oven. But in 1956, a New Jersey chemical, pharmaceuticals and engineering firm called Wallace & Tiernan, best known for inventing a mass water chlorination process, discovered that ADA caused flour to ‘achiev[e] maturing action without long storage.'”

As further reported by EWG senior scientist David Andrews, Ph.D:⁸“ADA is just one example of an American food supply awash in chemical additives that can be mixed into foods with little oversight or safety review… Americans have regularly eaten this chemical along with hundreds of other questionable food additives for years.”

The ‘Dirty Dozen’ Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals

Many of you have heard of BPA, and some of you may now be familiar with ADA in bread. However, many common household goods, personal care products, and food and water are major sources of chemical exposure that can lead to an accumulation of toxicants in your body and cause hormone disruption. I certainly don’t expect you to memorize them all, however being aware of the most pervasive endocrine disrupters is the first step to minimizing your exposures. The EWG’s “dirty dozen” list for the 12 worst endocrine disruptors are the following.⁹ I’ve written about many of these in prior articles, so for more information about any particular one, please follow the links provided.

Bisphenol-A (BPA) Dioxin Atrazine Phthalates

Perchlorate Fire retardants Lead Mercury

Arsenic Perfluorinated chemicals(PFCs) Organophosphate pesticides Glycol ethers

19 Tips to Reduce Your Chemical Exposure

Implementing the following measures will help you avoid the worst endocrine-disrupting culprits as well as other chemicals from a wide variety of sources. To sum it up, try to stick with whole foods and natural products around your home. The fewer ingredients a product contains, the better, and try to make sure anything you put on or in your body – or use around your home – contains only substances you’re familiar with. If you can’t pronounce it, you probably don’t want it anywhere near your family.

As much as possible, buy and eat organic produce and free-range, organic meats to reduce your exposure to added hormones, pesticides, and fertilizers. Also avoid milk and other dairy products that contain the genetically engineered recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH or rBST).

Rather than eating conventional or farm-raised fish, which are often heavily contaminated with PCBs and mercury, supplement with a high-quality purified krill oil, or eat fish that is wild-caught and lab tested for purity. Wild-caught Alaskan salmon is about the only fish I eat for these reasons.

Buy products that come in glass containers rather than plastic or canned, since chemicals can leach out of plastics and into the contents.

Store your food and beverages in glass rather than plastic, and avoid using plastic wrap.

Use glass baby bottles and BPA-free sippy cups for your little ones. Some manufacturers have even moved to glass, since BPA-free products may contain other toxic bisphenols.

Eat mostly raw, fresh foods. Processed, prepackaged foods (of all kinds) are a common source of chemicals such as bisphenols (e.g. BPA and BPS) and phthalates.

Replace your non-stick pots and pans with ceramic or glass cookware.

Filter your tap water—both for drinking and bathing. If you can only afford to do one, filtering your bathing water may be more important, as your skin absorbs contaminants. To remove the endocrine-disrupting herbicide Atrazine, make sure the filter is certified to remove it. According to the EWG, perchlorate can be filtered out using a reverse osmosis filter.

Look for products that are made by companies that are earth-friendly, animal-friendly, green, non-toxic, and/or 100% organic. This applies to everything from food and personal care products to building materials, carpeting, paint, baby items, upholstery, and more.

Use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter to remove house dust, which is often contaminated with traces of chemicals.

When buying new products such as furniture, mattresses, or carpet padding, ask what type of fire retardant it contains. Be mindful of and/or avoid items containing PBDEs, antimony, formaldehyde, boric acid, and other brominated chemicals. As you replace these toxic items around your home, select those that contain naturally less flammable materials, such as leather, wool, and cotton.

Avoid stain- and water-resistant clothing, furniture, and carpets to avoid perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs).

Make sure your baby’s toys are BPA-free, such as pacifiers, teething rings, and anything your child may be prone to suck on.

Only use natural cleaning products in your home or make your own. Avoid products that contain 2-butoxyethanol (EGBE) and methoxydiglycol (DEGME)—two toxic glycol ethers that can damage fertility and cause fetal harm.¹⁰

Switch over to organic brands of toiletries such as shampoo, toothpaste, antiperspirants, and cosmetics. Remember, you can replace many different products with coconut oil and baking soda, for example. The Environmental Working Group has a great database¹¹ to help you find personal care products that are free of phthalates and other potentially dangerous chemicals. I also offer one of the highest quality organic skin care lines, shampoo and conditioner, and body butter that are completely natural and safe.

Replace feminine hygiene products like tampons and sanitary pads with safer alternatives.

Avoid artificial air fresheners, dryer sheets, fabric softeners, or other synthetic fragrances.

Look for products that are fragrance-free. One artificial fragrance can contain hundreds — even thousands — of potentially toxic chemicals.

Replace your vinyl shower curtain with one made of fabric.

The clock ticks faster.

Posted by zedie

APThe signs of physical and functional decline may take a few years to show

Early puberty, hypertension and diabetes in children, early menopause… The alarming issue of premature ageing points inescapably to our way of living, finds out Sudha Umashanker

Girls as young as seven or eight coming of age, young children being diagnosed with hypertension and diabetes, women with plummeting ovarian reserves in their late 20s or early 30s — the ageing clock seems to be ticking differently these days.

Kousalya Nathan, lifestyle and age management consultant, Nova Specialty Surgery, Chennai, points out, “More than ageing and its associated degenerative disorders, the alarming problem is premature ageing, which implies significant functional decline in various organs due to unmanaged lifestyle disorders.”

As the International Journal of Diabetes Care (1999) states, “Although Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus has historically been characterized as an adult onset of diabetes, it has been shown to be on the rise in young people in recent years, comprising some alarming 30 per cent of new cases of diabetes in the second decade of life. The mean age at diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes in young people is 12-14 years.” (Incidentally, Indian ethnicity is at higher risk.)

Listing out the factors suggestive of the prevalence of premature ageing, Dr. Nathan notes, “Early puberty is a pointer. We also live in an environment that favours unhealthy weight gain in children and adolescents. This has reached epidemic proportions in India, with consequences ranging from inability to play or climb stairs, to hypertension, dyslipidemia, back pain and psychosocial problems. Even greying and loss of skin tone, which are signs of middle age, are seen in 10- to 12-year-olds. In the worst-case scenario, deaths due to non-communicable diseases in those in their 30s and 40s are also happening.”

Nandita Palshetkar, infertility specialist, Lilavati Hospitals Mumbai and Fortis Bloom IVF Centres, says, “Nowadays, more and more girls are attaining early puberty. Earlier, puberty which was seen at age 12 is now seen at the age of seven to eight years, in approximately 15 per cent of the girls. There are several reasons for this — such as unhealthy weight gain, stress, estrogens-like hormones such as bisphenol A found in hard plastics, certain metals that act as metalloestrogens, (eg. tin, cadmium, mercury, lead and aluminium, copper), situations in which the father is absent or the child is living with the step-father, Vitamin D deficiency, early exposure to sex-related messages in the media etc. Higher body mass index is associated most often with lifestyle changes that have occurred in the last couple of decades in our society. Early puberty, in turn, is associated with repercussions such as increased risk of heart problem, osteoporosis and early menopause.”

Rapid depletion of ovarian reserves, and therefore early ovarian ageing in young women, is yet another cause of concern. While it could be due to polycystic ovaries, in several cases, the cause is unknown. “Measures must be taken to reduce contamination by Endocrine Disrupting Compounds (EDCs) if we want to take steps to decrease reproductive disorders in women of the next generation,” stresses Dr. Palshetkar. EDCs that affect the functioning of the thyroid and ovary are found in pesticides, dioxins (produced when plastic is burnt, certain industrial processes and from improper incineration of waste), bisphenols (found in hard plastics, some baby bottles, water bottles and the insides of some food and beverage cans.) Corroborating the incidence of diabetes in overweight young children, Vijay Viswanathan, head and chief diabetologist, M.V. Hospital for Diabetes, Chennai, says that a recent survey in Chennai done by his institution showed that “many children who were overweight had raised blood pressure levels. These children showed aspects of insulin resistance, which makes them prone to hypertension and also diabetes.”

Asked if this can be considered a form of ageing, Dr. Viswanathan affirms, “Yes, this is a type of ageing, since the blood vessels develop stiffness and lose their elasticity even by the age of 10 or 15 in children who are insulin-resistant. These early blood vessel changes make these children prone to developing hypertension at an early stage, and may also lead to heart blocks by the time they get into their 20s or 30s.”

What are the signs that should alert us before visible changes of ageing happen?

“Weight gain, skin discoloration in underarms, inner thighs, nape of the neck, frequent infections, tiredness, irregular periods in girls, rough skin, overeating and eating disorders, stress and sleeping difficulties in children,” should put us on the alert, says Dr. Nathan.

While there are molecular-level changes of ageing in children, to see the physical and functional decline, it might take a few years. “It is a complex and multi-factorial process. Lifestyle accelerates loss of genetic materials, causing premature ageing,” Dr. Nathan concludes.

Preventive steps

– Lifestyle modification is top priority.

– Opt for an anti-ageing diet — 60 per cent complex carbohydrates (legumes, cereals and vegetables), 20 per cent protein (white meat, dal, paneer, tofu, soy protein), 20 per cent fats (nuts, olives, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds)

– Undertake regular physical activity

– Avoid exposure to estrogens-like compounds and environmental toxins

– Consume organically-grown vegetables

– Teach children to bust emotional stress by taking up creative pursuits

The clock ticks faster.

Posted by zedie

AP The signs of physical and functional decline may take a few years to show

TOPICS

Early puberty, hypertension and diabetes in children, early menopause… The alarming issue of premature ageing points inescapably to our way of living, finds out Sudha Umashanker

What are the signs that should alert us before visible changes of ageing happen?

Preventive steps

– Lifestyle modification is top priority.

– Undertake regular physical activity

– Avoid exposure to estrogens-like compounds and environmental toxins

– Consume organically-grown vegetables

– Teach children to bust emotional stress by taking up creative pursuits

Testosterone Decline: How to Address This Challenge to ‘Manhood’.

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Story at-a-glance

Testosterone is an androgenic sex hormone produced by the testicles (and in smaller amounts in the ovaries of women), and is often associated with “manhood.” Testosterone levels in men naturally decline with age – beginning at age 30 – and continue to do so as men advance in years. Unfortunately, widespread chemical exposure is causing this decline to occur in men as early as childhood.
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) such as phthalates, BPA, PFOA, and metalloestrogens lurk inside your house, leaching from human products such as personal hygiene products, chemical cleansers, or contraceptive drugs. They may also end up in your food and drinking water.
To reduce your exposure to EDCs, replace chemical sources such as pots and pans, commercial cleansers, and processed foods with natural products and organic foods.
There are numerous options to deal with age-related testosterone decline. Hormone replacement therapy, saw palmetto and other supplements, weight management through diet, exercise, and stress management are some recommended strategies.

Testosterone is an androgenic sex hormone produced by the testicles (and in smaller amounts in women’s ovaries), and is often associated with “manhood.” Primarily, this hormone plays a great role in men’s sexual and reproductive function. It also contributes to their muscle mass, hair growth, maintaining bone density, red blood cell production, and emotional health.

Although testosterone is considered a male sex hormone, women, while having it at relatively low levels, are more sensitive to its effects.

While conventional medical thought stresses that testosterone is a catalyst for prostate cancer,¹ even employing castration (orchiectomy) as a form of treatment, recent findings have shown otherwise.

The prostate gland requires testosterone for it to remain at optimal condition

Testosterone levels in men naturally decline with age – beginning at age 30 – and continue to do so as men advance in years.

Aging-induced testosterone decline is associated with the overactivity of an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase, which converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This process simultaneously decreases the amount of testosterone in men, putting them at risk for prostate enlargement, androgenic alopecia (hair loss) and cancer.

Unfortunately, widespread chemical exposure is also causing this decline to occur in men as early as childhood, and is completely impacting their biology. Recently, for instance, both statin drugs and the active ingredient in Roundup herbicide were found to interfere with the testicle’s ability to produce testosterone.²

How Do Environmental Toxins Affect Your Testosterone Production?

What’s even more alarming is that many of these endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have “gender-bending” qualities.

EDCs are everywhere. They lurk inside your house, leaching from human products such as personal hygiene products, chemical cleansers, or contraceptive drugs. They also end up in your food and drinking water, causing you to unknowingly ingest them.

EDCs pose a threat to men’s health as they interfere with testosterone production, causing men to take on more feminine characteristics.

Here’s one proof: in a number of British rivers, 50 percent of male fish were found to produce eggs in their testes. According to EurekAlert,³ EDCs have been entering rivers and other waterways through sewage systems for years, altering the biology of male fish. It was also found that fish species affected by EDCs had 76 percent reduction in their reproductive function.

EDCs Can Affect Men’s Health as Early as Infancy

Sexual development in both girls and boys are occurring earlier than expected. In a study published in the journal Pediatrics,⁴boys are experiencing sexual development six months to two years earlier than the medically-accepted norm, due to exposure to hormone-disrupting chemicals.

Some boys even develop enlarged testicles and penis, armpit or pubic hair, as well as facial hair as early as age nine! Early puberty is not something to be taken lightly because it can significantly influence physical and psychological health, including an increased risk of hormone-related cancers. Precocious sexual development may also lead to emotional and behavioral issues, such as:

Low self-esteem

Depression

Eating disorders

Excessive alcohol consumption

Earlier loss of virginity and multiple sexual partners

Increased risk of sexually-transmitted diseases

Pregnant or nursing women who are exposed to EDCs can transfer these chemicals to their child. Exposure to EDCs during pregnancy affects the development of male fetuses. Fewer boys have been born in the United States and Japan in the last three decades. The more women are exposed to these hormone-disrupting substances, the greater the chance that their sons will have smaller genitals and incomplete testicular descent, leading to poor reproductive health in the long term. EDCs are also a threat to male fertility, as they contribute to testicular cancer and lower sperm count. All of these birth defects and abnormalities, collectively referred to as Testicular Dysgenesis Syndrome (TDS), are linked to the impaired production of testosterone.⁵

Phthalates and Other EDCs: A Pernicious Mix

Phthalates are another class of gender-bending chemicals that can “feminize” men. A chemical often added to plastics, these endocrine-disrupting chemicals have a disastrous effect on male hormones and reproductive health. They are linked to birth defects in male infants and appear to alter the genital tracts of boys to be more femalelike.

Phthalates are found to cause poor testosterone synthesis by disrupting an enzyme required to create the male hormone. Women with high levels of DEHP and DBP (two types of phthalates) in their system during pregnancy were found to have sons that had feminine characteristics Phthalates are found in vinyl flooring, detergents, automotive plastics, soaps and shampoos, deodorants, perfumes, hair sprays, plastic bags and food packaging, among a long list of common products. Aside from phthalates, other chemicals that possess gender-bending traits are:

Bisphenol-A (BPA) – Common in plastic products such as reusable water bottles, food cans, and dental sealants. BPA can alter fetal development and heighten breast cancer risk in women.

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) – A potential carcinogen commonly used in water- and grease-resistant food coatings.

Methoxychlor (insecticide) and Vinclozin (fungicide) – Shown in studies to induce changes in four subsequent generations of male mice after initial exposure.

Nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs) – Potent endocrine-disruptors that can interfere with your gene expression and glandular system. They are also referred to as estrogen-mimicking chemicals that have been implicated in unnatural sex changes in male marine species.

Bovine growth hormones – Estrogen-mimicking and growth-promoting chemicals that are added to commercial dairy products.

Unfermented soy products – Contain antinutrients and hormone-like substances, and are NOT health foods (contrary to popular belief). Visit this page to learn more about the dangers of soy.

MSG – A food additive that can impact reproductive health and fertility.

Fluoride – A potent neurotoxin found in certain US water supplies and is linked to endocrine disruption, decreased fertility rates, and lower sperm counts.

Pharmaceuticals that provide synthetic hormones – Pharmaceuticals like contraceptives and provide you with synthetic hormones that your body isn’t designed to respond to and detoxify properly. Chronic illnesses may result from long-term use of these drugs.

Metalloestrogens – A class of cancer-causing estrogen-mimicking compounds that can be found in thousands of consumer products. Included in the list of potent metalloestrogens are aluminum, antimony, copper, lead, mercury, cadmium, and tin.

How to Limit Your Exposure to Gender-Bending Chemicals

It may be unlikely to completely eliminate products with EDCs, but there are a number of practical strategies that you can try to limit your exposure to these gender-bending substances. The first step would be to stop using Teflon cookware, as EDCs can leach out from contaminated cookware. Replace them with ceramic ones. Stop eating out of cans, as the sealant used for the can liner is almost always made from powerful endocrine-disrupting petrochemicals known as bisphenols, e.g. Bisphenol A,
Bisphenol S.

You should also get rid of cleaning products loaded with chemicals, artificial air fresheners, dryer sheets, fabric softeners, vinyl shower curtains, chemical-laden shampoos, and personal hygiene products. Replace them all with natural, toxin-free alternatives. Adjusting your diet can also help, since many processed foods contain gender-bending toxins. Switch to organic foods, which are cultivated without chemical interventions.

How to Address Aging-Related Testosterone Decline

As mentioned above, your testosterone stores also decline naturally as you age. However, there are methods that can help boost your levels. Below are some options you can consider:

The Hormone Replacement Method

If you suspect that you have insufficient testosterone stores, you should have your levels tested. Issues linked to testosterone decline include:

Decreased sex drive

Erectile dysfunction

Depressed mood

Memory problems

Impaired concentration

A blood test may not be enough to determine your levels, because testosterone levels can fluctuate during the day. Once you determine that you do have low levels, there are a number of options to take. There are synthetic and bioidentical testosterone products out on the market, but I advise using bioidentical hormones like DHEA. DHEA is a hormone secreted by your adrenal glands in your brain. This substance is the most abundant precursor hormone in the human body. It is crucial for the creation of vital hormones, including testosterone and other sex hormones.

The natural production of DHEA is also age-dependent. Prior to puberty, the body produces very little DHEA. Production of this prohormone peaks during your late 20’s or early 30’s. With age, DHEA production begins to decline. The adrenal glands also manufacture the stress hormone cortisol, which is in direct competition with DHEA for production because they use the same hormonal substrate known as pregnenolone. Chronic stress basically causes excessive cortisol levels and impairs DHEA production, which is why stress is another factor for low testosterone levels.

It is important not to use any DHEA product without the supervision of a professional. Find a qualified health care provider who will monitor your hormone levels and determine if you require supplementation. Rather than using an oral hormone supplementation, I recommend trans-mucosal (vagina or rectum) application. Skin application may not be wise, as it makes it difficult to measure the dosage you receive. This may cause you to end up receiving more than what your body requires.

I recommend using a trans-mucosal DHEA cream. Applying it to the rectum or if you are a a woman, your vagina, will allow the mucous epithelial membranes that line your mucosa to perform effective absorption. These membranes regulate absorption and inhibit the production of unwanted metabolites of DHEA. I personally apply 50 milligrams of trans-rectal DHEA cream twice a day – this has improved my own testosterone levels significantly. However, please note that I do NOT recommend prolonged supplementation of hormones. Doing so can trick your body into halting its own DHEA production and may cause your adrenals to become seriously impaired down.

Saw Palmetto and the Testosterone-Prostate Cancer Myth

Prostate hyperplasia (BPH), or simply an enlarged prostate, is a serious problem among men, especially those over age 60. As I’ve pointed out, high testosterone levels are not a precursor to an enlarged prostate or cancer; rather, excessive DHT and estrogen levels formed as metabolites of testosterone are. Conventional medicine uses two classes of drugs to treat BPH, each having a number of serious side effects. These are:

Alpha-blockers, such as Flomax, Hytrin, Cardura, and Rapaflo – These relax smooth muscles, including your bladder and prostate. They work to improve urine flow, but do NOT do anything to reduce the size of an enlarged prostate.

5-alpha reductase inhibitors, like Avodart and Proscar – The enzyme 5-alpha reductase converts testosterone to DHT, which stimulates the prostate. Although this class of drugs does limit the production of DHT and shrinks an enlarged prostate, it comes with a number of significant risks, including a higher chance of developing prostate cancer.

According to Dr. Rudi Moerck, an expert in chemistry and drug industry insider, men who have low levels of testosterone may experience the following problems:

Weight gain

Breast enlargement

Problems with urinating

Instead of turning to some drug that can only ameliorate symptoms and cause additional complications, I recommend using a natural saw palmetto supplement. Dr. Moerck says that there are about 100 clinical studies on the benefits of saw palmetto, one of them being a contributed to decreased prostate cancer risk. When choosing a saw palmetto supplement, you should be wary of the brand, as there are those that use an inactive form of the plant.

Saw palmetto is a very potent supplement, but only if a high-quality source is used. Dr. Moerck recommends using an organic supercritical CO2 extract of saw palmetto oil, which is dark green in color. Since saw palmetto is a fat-soluble supplement, taking it with eggs will enhance the absorption of its nutrients.
There is also solid research indicating that if you take astaxanthin in combination with saw palmetto, you may experience significant synergistic benefits. A 2009 study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition found that an optimal dose of saw palmetto and astaxanthin decreased both DHT and estrogen while simultaneously increasingtestosterone.⁶ Also, in order to block the synthesis of excess estrogen (estradiol) from testosterone there are excellent foods and plant extracts that may help to block the enzyme known as aromatase which is responsible producing estrogen. Some of these include white button mushrooms, grape seed extract and nettles.⁷

Nutrients That Can Help Boost Testosterone Levels

In addition to using bioidentical hormones or saw palmetto, there are two nutrients that have been found to be beneficial to testicular health and testosterone production.

Zinc

Zinc is an important mineral in testosterone production.⁸ Yet, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that about 45 percent of adults over 60 have low zinc levels due to insufficient intake. Regardless of supplementation, 20 to 25 percent of older adults still had inadequate levels.⁹

It was found that supplementing with zinc for as little as six weeks has been shown to improve testosterone in men with low levels. On the other hand, restricting zinc dietary sources yielded to a drop in the production of the male hormone.¹⁰ Excellent sources of zinc include:

Oysters

Protein-rich foods like meats and fish

Raw milk and raw cheese

Beans

Fermented foods, like yogurt and kefir

You may also take a zinc supplement to raise your levels. Just stick to a dosage of less than 40 milligrams a day. Overdosing on zinc may cause nausea or inhibit the absorption of essential minerals in your body, like copper.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D deficiency is a growing epidemic in the US, and is profoundly affecting men’s health. The cholesterol-derived steroid hormone vitamin D is crucial for men’s health. It plays a role in the development of the sperm cell nucleus, and helps maintain semen quality and sperm count. Vitamin D can also increase your testosterone level, helping improve your libido. Have your vitamin D levels tested using a 25(OH)D or a 25-hydroxyvitamin D test. The optimal level of vitamin D is around 50 to 70 ng/ml for adults. There are three effective sources of vitamin D:

Healthy sun exposure

Safe-tanning beds

Vitamin D3 supplementation

Learn more about how to optimize your vitamin D levels by watching my 1-hour lecture on vitamin D.

The Connection Between Weight and Low Testosterone Levels

Research presented at the Endocrine Society’s 2012 conference discussed the link between weight and testosterone levels. Overweight men were more prone to having low testosterone levels, and shedding excess pounds may alleviate this problem. Managing your weight means you have to manage your diet. Below are some ways to jumpstart a healthy diet:

Limit processed sugar in your diet, as excessive sugar consumption (mainly fructose) is the driving force of obesity. But this isn’t a license to useartificial sweeteners, because these also have their share of negative effects.

It is ideal to keep your total fructose consumption, including fructose from fruits, below 25 grams a day. If you have a chronic condition like diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol, it is wise to keep it below 15 grams per day.

Eliminate refined carbohydrates from processed foods, like cereals and soda, because they contribute to insulin resistance.

Consume vegetable carbohydrates and healthy fats. Your body requires the carbohydrates from fresh vegetables rather than grains and sugars. In addition to mono- or polyunsaturated fats found in avocados and raw nuts, saturated fats are also essential to building your testosterone production. According to research, there was a decrease in testosterone stores in people who consumed a diet low in animal-based fat.¹¹ Aside from avocados and raw nuts, ideal sources of healthy fat that can boost your testosterone levels include:

Olives and olive oil Coconuts and coconut oil Butter made from raw grass-fed organic milk

Raw nuts, such as almonds or pecans Organic pastured egg yolks Avocados

Grass-fed meats Palm oil Unheated organic nut oils

Consume organic dairy products, like high-quality cheeses and whey protein, to boost your branch chain amino acids (BCAA). According to research, BCAAs were found to raise testosterone levels, particularly when taken with strength training.¹² While there are supplements that provide BCAAs, I believe that leucine, found in dairy products, carries the highest concentrations of this beneficial amino acid.

For a more comprehensive look at what you should or shouldn’t eat, refer to my nutrition plan.

Exercise as a Testosterone Booster

Unlike aerobics or prolonged moderate exercise, short, intense exercise was found to be beneficial in increasing testosterone levels. The results are enhanced with the help of intermittent fasting. Intermittent fasting helps boost testosterone by improving the expression of satiety hormones, like insulin, leptin, adiponectin, glucacgon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), cholecystokinin (CKK), and melanocortins, which are linked to healthy testosterone function, increased libido, and the prevention of age-induced testosterone decline. When it comes to an exercise plan that will complement testosterone function and production (along with overall health), I recommend including not just aerobics in your routine, but also:

High-intensity interval training – Work out all your muscle fibers in under 20 to 30 minutes. Learn more about my Peak Fitness regimen.

Strength training – When you use strength training to raise your testosterone, you’ll want to increase the weight and lower your number of reps. Focus on doing exercises that work a wider number of muscles, such as squats or dead lifts. Take your workout to the next level by learning the principles of Super-Slow Weight Training.

Address Your Chronic Stress, Too

The production of the stress hormone cortisol blocks the production and effects of testosterone. From a biological perspective, cortisol increases your “fight or flight” response, thereby lowering testosterone-associated functions such as mating, competing, and aggression. Chronic stress can take a toll on testosterone production, as well as your overall health. Therefore, stress management is equally important to a healthy diet and regular exercise. Tools you can use to stay stress-free include prayer, meditation, laughter, and yoga. Relaxation skills, such as deep breathing and visualization, can also promote your emotional health.

Among my favorite stress management tools is the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), a method similar to acupuncture but without the use of needles. EFT is known to eliminate negative behavior and instill a positive mentality. Always bear in mind that your emotional health is strongly linked to your physical health, and you have to pay attention to your negative feelings as much as you do to the foods you eat.

References:

¹ LifeExtension Magazine, Destroying the Myth About Testosterone Replacement and Prostate Cancer, A. Morgentaler, M.D., 2008 December.
² GreenMedInfo.com, Low Testosterone: Causes and Solutions
³ EurekAlert!, Research proves ‘gender-bending’ chemicals affect reproduction, 2010 Oct 26.
⁴ Pediatrics. Secondary Sexual Characteristics in Boys: Data From the Pediatric Research in Office Settings Network. M.E. Herman Giddens, et. al., 2012 October 20, 10.1542/peds.2011.3291.
⁵ Zhonghua Nan Ke Xue. Testicular dysgenesis syndrome: an update. Xu ZM and Tang DX. 2010 December, 16(12:1113-6.
⁶ J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2008 Aug 12;5:12. doi: 10.1186/1550-2783-5-12.
⁷ GreenMedInfo.com, Natural Aromatase Inhibitors
⁸ Nutrition, Zinc status and serum testosterone levels of healthy adults, A.S. Prasad, et. al., 1996 May; 12(5):344-8.
⁹ Office of Dietary Supplements | National Institutes of Health, Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Zinc.
¹⁰ Office of Dietary Supplements | National Institutes of Health, Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Zinc.
¹¹ The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, Amino acid supplements and recovery from high-intensity resistance training, C.P. Sharp and Pearson DR, 2010 April, 24(4):1125-30.
¹² Journal of Steroid Biochemistry. Diet and serum sex hormones in healthy men, E. Hamalainen, 1984 January, 20(1):459-64.

Testosterone Decline: How to Address This Challenge to ‘Manhood’.

Posted by zedie

Story at-a-glance

Testosterone is an androgenic sex hormone produced by the testicles (and in smaller amounts in the ovaries of women), and is often associated with “manhood.” Testosterone levels in men naturally decline with age – beginning at age 30 – and continue to do so as men advance in years. Unfortunately, widespread chemical exposure is causing this decline to occur in men as early as childhood.
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) such as phthalates, BPA, PFOA, and metalloestrogens lurk inside your house, leaching from human products such as personal hygiene products, chemical cleansers, or contraceptive drugs. They may also end up in your food and drinking water.
To reduce your exposure to EDCs, replace chemical sources such as pots and pans, commercial cleansers, and processed foods with natural products and organic foods.
There are numerous options to deal with age-related testosterone decline. Hormone replacement therapy, saw palmetto and other supplements, weight management through diet, exercise, and stress management are some recommended strategies.

Testosterone is an androgenic sex hormone produced by the testicles (and in smaller amounts in women’s ovaries), and is often associated with “manhood.” Primarily, this hormone plays a great role in men’s sexual and reproductive function. It also contributes to their muscle mass, hair growth, maintaining bone density, red blood cell production, and emotional health.

Although testosterone is considered a male sex hormone, women, while having it at relatively low levels, are more sensitive to its effects.

While conventional medical thought stresses that testosterone is a catalyst for prostate cancer,¹ even employing castration (orchiectomy) as a form of treatment, recent findings have shown otherwise.

The prostate gland requires testosterone for it to remain at optimal condition

Testosterone levels in men naturally decline with age – beginning at age 30 – and continue to do so as men advance in years.

Aging-induced testosterone decline is associated with the overactivity of an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase, which converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This process simultaneously decreases the amount of testosterone in men, putting them at risk for prostate enlargement, androgenic alopecia (hair loss) and cancer.

Unfortunately, widespread chemical exposure is also causing this decline to occur in men as early as childhood, and is completely impacting their biology. Recently, for instance, both statin drugs and the active ingredient in Roundup herbicide were found to interfere with the testicle’s ability to produce testosterone.²

How Do Environmental Toxins Affect Your Testosterone Production?

The escalating amount of chemicals being released into the environment can no longer be ignored, as these toxins are disrupting animal and human endocrine systems.

What’s even more alarming is that many of these endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have “gender-bending” qualities.

EDCs are everywhere. They lurk inside your house, leaching from human products such as personal hygiene products, chemical cleansers, or contraceptive drugs. They also end up in your food and drinking water, causing you to unknowingly ingest them.

EDCs pose a threat to men’s health as they interfere with testosterone production, causing men to take on more feminine characteristics.

Here’s one proof: in a number of British rivers, 50 percent of male fish were found to produce eggs in their testes. According to EurekAlert,³ EDCs have been entering rivers and other waterways through sewage systems for years, altering the biology of male fish. It was also found that fish species affected by EDCs had 76 percent reduction in their reproductive function.

EDCs Can Affect Men’s Health as Early as Infancy

Sexual development in both girls and boys are occurring earlier than expected. In a study published in the journal Pediatrics,⁴boys are experiencing sexual development six months to two years earlier than the medically-accepted norm, due to exposure to hormone-disrupting chemicals.

Some boys even develop enlarged testicles and penis, armpit or pubic hair, as well as facial hair as early as age nine! Early puberty is not something to be taken lightly because it can significantly influence physical and psychological health, including an increased risk of hormone-related cancers. Precocious sexual development may also lead to emotional and behavioral issues, such as:

Low self-esteem
Depression
Eating disorders
Excessive alcohol consumption
Earlier loss of virginity and multiple sexual partners
Increased risk of sexually-transmitted diseases

Pregnant or nursing women who are exposed to EDCs can transfer these chemicals to their child. Exposure to EDCs during pregnancy affects the development of male fetuses. Fewer boys have been born in the United States and Japan in the last three decades. The more women are exposed to these hormone-disrupting substances, the greater the chance that their sons will have smaller genitals and incomplete testicular descent, leading to poor reproductive health in the long term. EDCs are also a threat to male fertility, as they contribute to testicular cancer and lower sperm count. All of these birth defects and abnormalities, collectively referred to as Testicular Dysgenesis Syndrome (TDS), are linked to the impaired production of testosterone.⁵

Phthalates and Other EDCs: A Pernicious Mix

Phthalates are another class of gender-bending chemicals that can “feminize” men. A chemical often added to plastics, these endocrine-disrupting chemicals have a disastrous effect on male hormones and reproductive health. They are linked to birth defects in male infants and appear to alter the genital tracts of boys to be more femalelike.

Phthalates are found to cause poor testosterone synthesis by disrupting an enzyme required to create the male hormone. Women with high levels of DEHP and DBP (two types of phthalates) in their system during pregnancy were found to have sons that had feminine characteristics Phthalates are found in vinyl flooring, detergents, automotive plastics, soaps and shampoos, deodorants, perfumes, hair sprays, plastic bags and food packaging, among a long list of common products. Aside from phthalates, other chemicals that possess gender-bending traits are:

Bisphenol-A (BPA) – Common in plastic products such as reusable water bottles, food cans, and dental sealants. BPA can alter fetal development and heighten breast cancer risk in women.
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) – A potential carcinogen commonly used in water- and grease-resistant food coatings.
Methoxychlor (insecticide) and Vinclozin (fungicide) – Shown in studies to induce changes in four subsequent generations of male mice after initial exposure.
Nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs) – Potent endocrine-disruptors that can interfere with your gene expression and glandular system. They are also referred to as estrogen-mimicking chemicals that have been implicated in unnatural sex changes in male marine species.
Bovine growth hormones – Estrogen-mimicking and growth-promoting chemicals that are added to commercial dairy products.
Unfermented soy products – Contain antinutrients and hormone-like substances, and are NOT health foods (contrary to popular belief). Visit this page to learn more about the dangers of soy.
MSG – A food additive that can impact reproductive health and fertility.
Fluoride – A potent neurotoxin found in certain US water supplies and is linked to endocrine disruption, decreased fertility rates, and lower sperm counts.
Pharmaceuticals that provide synthetic hormones – Pharmaceuticals like contraceptives and provide you with synthetic hormones that your body isn’t designed to respond to and detoxify properly. Chronic illnesses may result from long-term use of these drugs.
Metalloestrogens – A class of cancer-causing estrogen-mimicking compounds that can be found in thousands of consumer products. Included in the list of potent metalloestrogens are aluminum, antimony, copper, lead, mercury, cadmium, and tin.

How to Limit Your Exposure to Gender-Bending Chemicals

It may be unlikely to completely eliminate products with EDCs, but there are a number of practical strategies that you can try to limit your exposure to these gender-bending substances. The first step would be to stop using Teflon cookware, as EDCs can leach out from contaminated cookware. Replace them with ceramic ones. Stop eating out of cans, as the sealant used for the can liner is almost always made from powerful endocrine-disrupting petrochemicals known as bisphenols, e.g. Bisphenol A,
Bisphenol S.

You should also get rid of cleaning products loaded with chemicals, artificial air fresheners, dryer sheets, fabric softeners, vinyl shower curtains, chemical-laden shampoos, and personal hygiene products. Replace them all with natural, toxin-free alternatives. Adjusting your diet can also help, since many processed foods contain gender-bending toxins. Switch to organic foods, which are cultivated without chemical interventions.

How to Address Aging-Related Testosterone Decline

As mentioned above, your testosterone stores also decline naturally as you age. However, there are methods that can help boost your levels. Below are some options you can consider:

The Hormone Replacement Method

If you suspect that you have insufficient testosterone stores, you should have your levels tested. Issues linked to testosterone decline include:

Decreased sex drive
Erectile dysfunction
Depressed mood
Memory problems
Impaired concentration

A blood test may not be enough to determine your levels, because testosterone levels can fluctuate during the day. Once you determine that you do have low levels, there are a number of options to take. There are synthetic and bioidentical testosterone products out on the market, but I advise using bioidentical hormones like DHEA. DHEA is a hormone secreted by your adrenal glands in your brain. This substance is the most abundant precursor hormone in the human body. It is crucial for the creation of vital hormones, including testosterone and other sex hormones.

The natural production of DHEA is also age-dependent. Prior to puberty, the body produces very little DHEA. Production of this prohormone peaks during your late 20’s or early 30’s. With age, DHEA production begins to decline. The adrenal glands also manufacture the stress hormone cortisol, which is in direct competition with DHEA for production because they use the same hormonal substrate known as pregnenolone. Chronic stress basically causes excessive cortisol levels and impairs DHEA production, which is why stress is another factor for low testosterone levels.

It is important not to use any DHEA product without the supervision of a professional. Find a qualified health care provider who will monitor your hormone levels and determine if you require supplementation. Rather than using an oral hormone supplementation, I recommend trans-mucosal (vagina or rectum) application. Skin application may not be wise, as it makes it difficult to measure the dosage you receive. This may cause you to end up receiving more than what your body requires.

I recommend using a trans-mucosal DHEA cream. Applying it to the rectum or if you are a a woman, your vagina, will allow the mucous epithelial membranes that line your mucosa to perform effective absorption. These membranes regulate absorption and inhibit the production of unwanted metabolites of DHEA. I personally apply 50 milligrams of trans-rectal DHEA cream twice a day – this has improved my own testosterone levels significantly. However, please note that I do NOT recommend prolonged supplementation of hormones. Doing so can trick your body into halting its own DHEA production and may cause your adrenals to become seriously impaired down.

Saw Palmetto and the Testosterone-Prostate Cancer Myth

Prostate hyperplasia (BPH), or simply an enlarged prostate, is a serious problem among men, especially those over age 60. As I’ve pointed out, high testosterone levels are not a precursor to an enlarged prostate or cancer; rather, excessive DHT and estrogen levels formed as metabolites of testosterone are. Conventional medicine uses two classes of drugs to treat BPH, each having a number of serious side effects. These are:

Alpha-blockers, such as Flomax, Hytrin, Cardura, and Rapaflo – These relax smooth muscles, including your bladder and prostate. They work to improve urine flow, but do NOT do anything to reduce the size of an enlarged prostate.
5-alpha reductase inhibitors, like Avodart and Proscar – The enzyme 5-alpha reductase converts testosterone to DHT, which stimulates the prostate. Although this class of drugs does limit the production of DHT and shrinks an enlarged prostate, it comes with a number of significant risks, including a higher chance of developing prostate cancer.

According to Dr. Rudi Moerck, an expert in chemistry and drug industry insider, men who have low levels of testosterone may experience the following problems:

Weight gain
Breast enlargement
Problems with urinating

Instead of turning to some drug that can only ameliorate symptoms and cause additional complications, I recommend using a natural saw palmetto supplement. Dr. Moerck says that there are about 100 clinical studies on the benefits of saw palmetto, one of them being a contributed to decreased prostate cancer risk. When choosing a saw palmetto supplement, you should be wary of the brand, as there are those that use an inactive form of the plant.

Saw palmetto is a very potent supplement, but only if a high-quality source is used. Dr. Moerck recommends using an organic supercritical CO2 extract of saw palmetto oil, which is dark green in color. Since saw palmetto is a fat-soluble supplement, taking it with eggs will enhance the absorption of its nutrients.

There is also solid research indicating that if you take astaxanthin in combination with saw palmetto, you may experience significant synergistic benefits. A 2009 study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition found that an optimal dose of saw palmetto and astaxanthin decreased both DHT and estrogen while simultaneously increasingtestosterone.⁶ Also, in order to block the synthesis of excess estrogen (estradiol) from testosterone there are excellent foods and plant extracts that may help to block the enzyme known as aromatase which is responsible producing estrogen. Some of these include white button mushrooms, grape seed extract and nettles.⁷

Nutrients That Can Help Boost Testosterone Levels

In addition to using bioidentical hormones or saw palmetto, there are two nutrients that have been found to be beneficial to testicular health and testosterone production.

Zinc

Zinc is an important mineral in testosterone production.⁸ Yet, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that about 45 percent of adults over 60 have low zinc levels due to insufficient intake. Regardless of supplementation, 20 to 25 percent of older adults still had inadequate levels.⁹

It was found that supplementing with zinc for as little as six weeks has been shown to improve testosterone in men with low levels. On the other hand, restricting zinc dietary sources yielded to a drop in the production of the male hormone.¹⁰ Excellent sources of zinc include:

Oysters
Protein-rich foods like meats and fish
Raw milk and raw cheese
Beans
Fermented foods, like yogurt and kefir

You may also take a zinc supplement to raise your levels. Just stick to a dosage of less than 40 milligrams a day. Overdosing on zinc may cause nausea or inhibit the absorption of essential minerals in your body, like copper.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D deficiency is a growing epidemic in the US, and is profoundly affecting men’s health. The cholesterol-derived steroid hormone vitamin D is crucial for men’s health. It plays a role in the development of the sperm cell nucleus, and helps maintain semen quality and sperm count. Vitamin D can also increase your testosterone level, helping improve your libido. Have your vitamin D levels tested using a 25(OH)D or a 25-hydroxyvitamin D test. The optimal level of vitamin D is around 50 to 70 ng/ml for adults. There are three effective sources of vitamin D:

Healthy sun exposure
Safe-tanning beds
Vitamin D3 supplementation

Learn more about how to optimize your vitamin D levels by watching my 1-hour lecture on vitamin D.

The Connection Between Weight and Low Testosterone Levels

Research presented at the Endocrine Society’s 2012 conference discussed the link between weight and testosterone levels. Overweight men were more prone to having low testosterone levels, and shedding excess pounds may alleviate this problem. Managing your weight means you have to manage your diet. Below are some ways to jumpstart a healthy diet:

Limit processed sugar in your diet, as excessive sugar consumption (mainly fructose) is the driving force of obesity. But this isn’t a license to useartificial sweeteners, because these also have their share of negative effects.

It is ideal to keep your total fructose consumption, including fructose from fruits, below 25 grams a day. If you have a chronic condition like diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol, it is wise to keep it below 15 grams per day.

Eliminate refined carbohydrates from processed foods, like cereals and soda, because they contribute to insulin resistance.
Consume vegetable carbohydrates and healthy fats. Your body requires the carbohydrates from fresh vegetables rather than grains and sugars. In addition to mono- or polyunsaturated fats found in avocados and raw nuts, saturated fats are also essential to building your testosterone production. According to research, there was a decrease in testosterone stores in people who consumed a diet low in animal-based fat.¹¹ Aside from avocados and raw nuts, ideal sources of healthy fat that can boost your testosterone levels include:

Olives and olive oil	Coconuts and coconut oil	Butter made from raw grass-fed organic milk
Raw nuts, such as almonds or pecans	Organic pastured egg yolks	Avocados
Grass-fed meats	Palm oil	Unheated organic nut oils

Consume organic dairy products, like high-quality cheeses and whey protein, to boost your branch chain amino acids (BCAA). According to research, BCAAs were found to raise testosterone levels, particularly when taken with strength training.¹² While there are supplements that provide BCAAs, I believe that leucine, found in dairy products, carries the highest concentrations of this beneficial amino acid.

For a more comprehensive look at what you should or shouldn’t eat, refer to my nutrition plan.

Exercise as a Testosterone Booster

Unlike aerobics or prolonged moderate exercise, short, intense exercise was found to be beneficial in increasing testosterone levels. The results are enhanced with the help of intermittent fasting. Intermittent fasting helps boost testosterone by improving the expression of satiety hormones, like insulin, leptin, adiponectin, glucacgon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), cholecystokinin (CKK), and melanocortins, which are linked to healthy testosterone function, increased libido, and the prevention of age-induced testosterone decline. When it comes to an exercise plan that will complement testosterone function and production (along with overall health), I recommend including not just aerobics in your routine, but also:

High-intensity interval training – Work out all your muscle fibers in under 20 to 30 minutes. Learn more about my Peak Fitness regimen.
Strength training – When you use strength training to raise your testosterone, you’ll want to increase the weight and lower your number of reps. Focus on doing exercises that work a wider number of muscles, such as squats or dead lifts. Take your workout to the next level by learning the principles of Super-Slow Weight Training.

For more information on how exercise can be used as a natural testosterone booster, read my article “Testosterone Surge After Exercise May Help Remodel the Mind.”

Address Your Chronic Stress, Too

The production of the stress hormone cortisol blocks the production and effects of testosterone. From a biological perspective, cortisol increases your “fight or flight” response, thereby lowering testosterone-associated functions such as mating, competing, and aggression. Chronic stress can take a toll on testosterone production, as well as your overall health. Therefore, stress management is equally important to a healthy diet and regular exercise. Tools you can use to stay stress-free include prayer, meditation, laughter, and yoga. Relaxation skills, such as deep breathing and visualization, can also promote your emotional health.

Among my favorite stress management tools is the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), a method similar to acupuncture but without the use of needles. EFT is known to eliminate negative behavior and instill a positive mentality. Always bear in mind that your emotional health is strongly linked to your physical health, and you have to pay attention to your negative feelings as much as you do to the foods you eat.

References:

¹ LifeExtension Magazine, Destroying the Myth About Testosterone Replacement and Prostate Cancer, A. Morgentaler, M.D., 2008 December.
² GreenMedInfo.com, Low Testosterone: Causes and Solutions
³ EurekAlert!, Research proves ‘gender-bending’ chemicals affect reproduction, 2010 Oct 26.
⁴ Pediatrics. Secondary Sexual Characteristics in Boys: Data From the Pediatric Research in Office Settings Network. M.E. Herman Giddens, et. al., 2012 October 20, 10.1542/peds.2011.3291.
⁵ Zhonghua Nan Ke Xue. Testicular dysgenesis syndrome: an update. Xu ZM and Tang DX. 2010 December, 16(12:1113-6.
⁶ J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2008 Aug 12;5:12. doi: 10.1186/1550-2783-5-12.
⁷ GreenMedInfo.com, Natural Aromatase Inhibitors
⁸ Nutrition, Zinc status and serum testosterone levels of healthy adults, A.S. Prasad, et. al., 1996 May; 12(5):344-8.
⁹ Office of Dietary Supplements | National Institutes of Health, Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Zinc.
¹⁰ Office of Dietary Supplements | National Institutes of Health, Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Zinc.
¹¹ The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, Amino acid supplements and recovery from high-intensity resistance training, C.P. Sharp and Pearson DR, 2010 April, 24(4):1125-30.
¹² Journal of Steroid Biochemistry. Diet and serum sex hormones in healthy men, E. Hamalainen, 1984 January, 20(1):459-64.

Source: mercola.com

Perfluorinated chemicals linked to mild hypothyroidism in women.

Posted by zedie

Higher serum concentrations of perfluorinated chemicals are associated with an increase in total triiodothyronine, total thyroxine and free thyroxine among women, according to researchers from Taiwan.

“Our study is the first to link perfluorinated chemical (PFC) levels in the blood with changes in thyroid function using a nationally representative survey of American adults,” researcher Chien-Yu Lin, MD, PhD, of En Chu Kong Hospital in Taiwan, said in a press release.

Researchers included data for 1,181 patients aged older than 20 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2007-2008 and 2009-2010 to determine the relationship between serum PFCs and thyroid function.

Of 672 men and 509 women included in the study, men demonstrated a higher average concentration of PFC compounds compared with women. Furthermore, older age was associated with a greater concentration of perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS). Mexican Americans displayed lower mean serum concentrations of PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) compared with Hispanic whites and non-Hispanic blacks, according to researchers.

Data indicate the mean concentrations of PCFs were 4.15 ng/mL (95% CI, 4.02-4.29) for PFOA, 14.2 ng/mL (95% CI, 13.59-14.86) for PFOS, 1.54 ng/mL (95% CI, 1.48-1.59) for PFNA and 2 ng/mL (95% CI, 1.89-2.11) for PFHxS.

Based on these correlating concentrations of four PFCs, researchers decided to weigh data for sampling strategies and determined that a 1-unit increase in natural log-serum PFO was associated with an increase in serum T₃ concentrations (6.628 ng/dL; 95% CI, 0.545-12.712) in women. A 1-unit increase in natural log-PFHxS also was associated with an increase in total T₄(0.26 mcg/mL; 95% CI, 0.108-0.413) and total T₃(4.074 ng/dL; 95% CI, 2.32-5.916) in women, suggesting risk for mild hypothyroidism. However, natural log-free T₄ decreased in men (0.016 ng/dL; 95% CI, –0.029 to −0.003), they wrote.

“Although some PFCs such as PFOS have been phased out of production by major manufacturers, these endocrine-disrupting chemicals remain a concern because they linger in the body for extended periods,” Lin said. “Too little information is available about the possible long-term effects these chemicals could have on human health.”

PERSPECTIVE

R. Thomas Zoeller

The study by Wen et al to be published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism explores the statistical relationship between several perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) and measures of thyroid function in the human population, as revealed in the NHANES dataset. Several features of this work are important. First, it is important to recognize that PFCs are employed in the production of many products that people use — from fabrics and furniture to some food wrappings. Second, these chemicals are very stable in the environment and are persistent.

Therefore, it is important to study the potential relationship between the ubiquitous exposure to these chemicals and endocrine effects such as altering thyroid function or thyroid hormone action. In this case, the reader may be somewhat perplexed by the findings. Serum total T₄ and total T₃ was higher in women with elevated PFCs but serum free T₄ was lower in men with elevated PFCs. However, PFCs were not associated with serum TSH in men or women.

So, what does this mean and why is it important? Animal studies have demonstrated clearly that some chemicals — PFCs among them — appear to disconnect serum T₄ from TSH. We do not know how this happens, but we need to be careful about ignoring data that currently don’t make sense to us, especially in the case of the thyroid because the regulation of thyroid hormone delivery to target cells and activation of the receptor is highly complex, requiring specific transporters, metabolic enzymes and transcriptional machinery. We are also finding in animal studies that various environmental chemicals can have very unexpected effects on thyroid hormone regulation and action.

Finally, the United States’ EPA’s Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program requires only that thyroid histology be performed — blood levels of hormones are not required, nor are endpoints of thyroid hormone action. This NHANES dataset provides a very small glimpse into the potential impacts of environmental chemicals on thyroid hormones and we know very little about how this may contribute to thyroid disease.

R. Thomas Zoeller, MS, PhD
Department of Biology
University of Massachusetts – Amherst

Source: Endocrine Today

Food Contaminants Worsen Metabolic Problems in Obese Mice.

Posted by zedie

Story at-a-glance

Mice fed low doses of food contaminants like dioxin, PCB, bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates over the course of a lifetime experienced significant negative metabolic changes
The study suggests low doses of contaminants, even at levels normally considered to be without health impacts in humans, do in fact affect humans over the long term
When it comes to staying healthy, avoiding processed foods and replacing them with fresh, whole foods is important, as is sourcing your fresh foods from sustainable, responsible growers.

What happens when you eat low doses of food contaminants like dioxin, PCB, bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates over the course of a lifetime, starting in utero via your mother’s consumption?

This is what French researchers recently set out to determine, albeit via a study on mice instead of humans.

“Mice were challenged from preconception throughout life with a high-fat diet containing pollutants commonly present in food… added at low doses in the tolerable daily intake range,” the study, published in the FASEB Journal reported.¹

Both male and female mice were affected by the contaminants, in quite different but equally disturbing ways. And considering that low doses of these same contaminants are pervasive in the food supply, it’s not a stretch to think of yourself as just another lab rat…

Common Food Contaminants Lead to Potentially Dangerous Metabolic Changes

For the study, mice were fed a high-fat diet to which low doses of dioxin, PCB, BPA and phthalates were added (the mice were also born to mothers fed this diet). Compared to a control group of mice fed a contaminant-free high-fat diet, the contaminant group experienced significant metabolic changes. Specifically:

In females, glucose intolerance worsened and their estrogen pathway was altered
In males, both cholesterol and lipid metabolism were altered

The researchers noted:

“In males, pollutants increased the expression of hepatic [liver-related] genes (from 36 to 88%) encoding proteins related to cholesterol biosynthesis and decreased (40%) hepatic total cholesterol levels.

In females, there was a marked deterioration of glucose tolerance, which may be related to the 2-fold induction of estrogen sulfotransferase and reduced expression of estrogen receptor α (25%) and estrogen target genes (>34%).

Because of the very low doses of pollutants used in the mixture, these findings may have strong implications in terms of understanding the potential role of environmental contaminants in food in the development of metabolic diseases.”

Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals Likely to Cause Harm Even at Low ‘Safe’ Doses

The chemical contaminants used in the study were chosen not only because they’re pervasive in the food supply, but also because they’re known endocrine disruptors. The glands of your endocrine system and the hormones they release influence almost every cell, organ, and function of your body. It is instrumental in regulating mood, growth and development, tissue function, metabolism, as well as sexual function and reproductive processes.

Endocrine disrupters are substances or mixtures that alter the functions of your endocrine system and consequently cause adverse health effects, either in your body or in your offspring. These types of chemicals can exert their effects by:

Mimicking the biological activity of your hormones by binding to a cellular receptor. This can initiate your cell’s normal response to the naturally-occurring hormone at the wrong time or to an excessive extent (agonistic effect).
Binding to the receptor but not activating it. Instead the presence of the chemical on the receptor prevents binding of the natural hormone (antagonistic effect).
Binding to transport proteins in your blood, thus altering the amounts of natural hormones that are present in your blood circulation.
Interfering with the metabolic processes in your body, affecting the synthesis or breakdown rates of your natural hormones.

The strongest evidence showing that exposure to these types of environmental chemicals can lead to disruption of endocrine function comes from the bizarre changes seen in a number of wildlife species, such as male fish transforming into females, frogs developing a variety of defects like multiple testes or ovaries, and hermaphrodite bears, just to name a few.

Yet, it’s commonly stated that these chemicals are not dangerous to humans because they exist at such low levels, even as research suggests otherwise. For instance, of 115 published animal studies, 81 percent found significant effects from even low-level exposure to BPA.

And the latest study only adds to this undeniable knowledge:

“With this study, we have succeeded in providing proof-of-concept that low doses of contaminants, even at levels normally considered to be without health impacts in humans, do in fact affect humans when subjected to chronic exposure, and when the contaminants are combined with a high-calorie diet,” the researchers said.²

What Are the Long-Term Health Risks from Exposure to Common Food Contaminants?

A typical American comes in regular contact with some 6,000 chemicals and an untold number of potentially toxic substances on a less frequent basis. There are about 75,000 chemicals regularly manufactured and imported by US industries, so you could be exposed to any number of them. Disturbingly, many of them have never been fully tested for safety, and virtually none have been studied in combination with one another, which is how real-world exposure occurs and where their toxicities can be amplified exponentially.

Upwards of 20 environmental chemicals, most of them endocrine-disrupting chemicals, have been shown to cause weight gain when exposure occurs during fetal and infant development, although some are also linked to adult exposures. Others, including BPA, PCBs, phthalates and agricultural pesticides can lead to health problems including:

Non-descended testes in young males	Breast cancer in women	Prostate cancer in men
Developmental effects on the nervous system in children	Attention deficit hyperactivity in children	Thyroid cancer

According to a World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) report:³

“The diverse systems affected by endocrine-disrupting chemicals likely include all hormonal systems and range from those controlling development and function of reproductive organs to the tissues and organs regulating metabolism and satiety. Effects on these systems can lead to obesity, infertility or reduced fertility, learning and memory difficulties, adult-onset diabetes or cardiovascular disease, as well as a variety of other diseases.”

Specifically, health problems linked to some of the most common food contaminants include:

BPA: Plasticizing chemicals like BPA, found in plastics and canned food linings, disrupt embryonic development and are linked to heart disease and cancer. Beware that many manufacturers of ‘BPA-free’ products have simply replaced BPA with bisphenol-S (BPS), an equally toxic chemical. More recently, research has found that other bisphenols used in the production of consumer products, namely, bisphenols M, AP and P, are actually more toxic to DNA than BPA.⁴
Phthalates: Phthalates dysregulate gene expression and cause genital anomalies, especially in baby boys, that may pass down several generations. Phthalates are found in vinyl flooring, detergents, automotive plastics, soap, shampoo, deodorants, fragrances, hair spray, nail polish, plastic bags, food packaging, garden hoses, inflatable toys, blood-storage bags, and intravenous medical tubing.
Dioxins: Dioxins are a byproduct of industrial processes, such as chlorine bleaching of paper products and the manufacturing of some pesticides. Because they are persistent environmental pollutants, they accumulate in the food chain and more than 90 percent of human exposure is through foods like meat, dairy products and fish. According to WHO, “Dioxins are highly toxic and can cause reproductive and developmental problems, damage the immune system, interfere with hormones and also cause cancer.”⁵
PCBs: Like dioxins, PCBs are persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that persist in the environment and resist breaking down, accumulating in the food chain and posing serious risks to human health and the environment. For instance, even though PCBs have been banned in the US for decades, they are still present in your environment. PCBs and other POPs have caused birth defects and other abnormalities among wildlife, along with damage to virtually every human bodily system.

Tips for Finding the Purest Foods Possible

When it comes to staying healthy, avoiding processed foods and replacing them with fresh, whole foods is the “secret” you’ve been looking for. The more steps your food goes through before it reaches your plate, the greater your chances of contamination becomes. If you are able to get your food locally, you eliminate numerous routes that could expose your food to contamination with not only disease-causing pathogens but also with the chemical contaminants noted above, which often exist in food packaging.

It’s also important to choose your fresh foods wisely, as you’ll want to focus on those grown in non-polluted areas using organic farming methods. Whatever food you’re looking to eat, whether organic or locally grown, from either your local supermarket or a farmer’s market, the following are signs of a high-quality, healthy food. Most often, the best place to find these foods is from asustainable agricultural group in your area. You can also review my free nutrition plan to get started on a healthy eating program today:

It’s grown without pesticides and chemical fertilizers (organic foods fit this description, but so do some non-organic foods)	It’s not genetically engineered	It contains no added growth hormones, antibiotics, or other drugs
It does not contain artificial anything, nor any preservatives	It is fresh (if you have to choose between wilted organic produce or fresh conventional produce, the latter may still be the better option as freshness is important for optimal nutrient content)	It was not grown in a concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO)
It is grown with the laws of nature in mind (meaning animals are fed their native diets, not a mix of grains and animal byproducts, and have free-range access to the outdoors)	It is grown in a sustainable way (using minimal amounts of water, protecting the soil from burnout, and turning animal wastes into natural fertilizers instead of environmental pollutants)

Source: mercola.com

The PD-1 Immune Checkpoint Emerges as a Promising Therapeutic Target in NSCLC.

Posted by zedie

Several new studies presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2013 annual meeting provide additional support for the growing interest in programmed cell death 1 (PD-1), a key immune-checkpoint receptor, as a therapeutic target in NSCLC and other tumor types.

“We now have a new pillar of treatment for cancer patients,” said Padmanee Sharma, MD, PhD, of the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, a discussant in the session on developmental immunotherapy. “We have standard chemotherapy, targeted therapies, radiation therapy, surgery—and I propose now that immune-checkpoint therapy is really here.”

Under normal physiologic conditions, immune checkpoints such as PD-1 maintain self-tolerance and prevent autoimmunity by limiting T cell effector functions within tissues. Tumor cells can upregulate various ligands for PD-1, including PD-L1 and PD-L2, as a mechanism of evading antitumor immune responses in the tumor microenvironment. Therapeutic strategies for targeting the PD-1 pathway to restore tumor-specific T cell immunity include direct inhibition of the PD-1 receptor and PD-L1 blockade.

Nivolumab is an anti-PD-1 antibody with activity in advanced solid tumors, including melanoma, NSCLC, and renal cell carcinoma (RCC). In a phase I study, treatment with intravenous nivolumab induced an overall response rate of 16% in 122 patients with heavily pretreated, advanced NSCLC, and was associated with a median overall survival of 9.6 months (Topalian SL et al.). In the total study population of 304 patients with melanoma, NSCLC, and RCC, 10 patients (3%) developed drug-related pneumonitis, resulting in 3 deaths. Additional grade 3-4 adverse events were reported in 15% of patients.

Additional phase I trials demonstrated the utility of nivolumab in previously treated patients with advanced NSCLC (Brahmer JR et al.) and in combination with platinum-based doublet chemotherapy in chemotherapy-naïve patients with stage IIIB/IV NSCLC (Rizvi NA et al.). Based on these promising results, nivolumab is currently being evaluated in two phase III trials versus docetaxel for the second-line treatment of NSCLC, as well as a phase II trial of third-line therapy in patients with squamous cell histology.

MPDL32802 is a human monoclonal anti-PD-L1 antibody that contains an engineered Fc-domain designed to optimize efficacy and safety. Treatment with MPDL32802 yielded a 21% response rate in a phase I study of 171 patients with locally advanced or metastatic tumors, including NSCLC, melanoma, colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, and RCC (Herbst RS et al.). The highest response rates were in patients with NSCLC and melanoma. Intravenous treatment with MPDL32802 every 3 weeks was well tolerated, with no dose-limiting toxicities and no pneumonitis-related deaths.

Biomarker studies show that higher levels of PD-L1 tumor expression predict better response rates to PD-1 checkpoint inhibitors (Herbst RS et al.; Powderly JD et al.). The investigational PD-1 checkpoint inhibitors are being developed with companion diagnostic assays to measure tumor PD-L1 expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Each agent, however, uses a different antibody to detect PD-L1 expression and a different IHC staining threshold to define PD-L1 positivity. Although some ongoing trials will include patients with any PD-L1 IHC status, others will require PD-L1 positivity for enrollment.

“Selection by PD-L1 expression may enhance response, but there is activity seen in PD-L1-negative tumors,” saidNatasha B. Leighl, MD, MMSc, of the University of Toronto, Canada, a discussant in the session on new agents for metastatic NSCLC. “I think it is far too early to close the door on this group.”

Several other agents targeting the PD-1 checkpoint are currently under development. Other direct inhibitors of PD-1 include the humanized monoclonal antibodies pidilizumab (CT-011) and lembrolizumab (MK-3475), and AMP-224, a recombinant fusion protein. Investigational monoclonal antibodies targeting PD-L1 include BMS-936559, Medl-4736, and MPDL-3280A

Source: The oncologist

ght:1K�p;#0d:white’>Because of the very low doses of pollutants used in the mixture, these findings may have strong implications in terms of understanding the potential role of environmental contaminants in food in the development of metabolic diseases.”

Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals Likely to Cause Harm Even at Low ‘Safe’ Doses

Mimicking the biological activity of your hormones by binding to a cellular receptor. This can initiate your cell’s normal response to the naturally-occurring hormone at the wrong time or to an excessive extent (agonistic effect).
Binding to the receptor but not activating it. Instead the presence of the chemical on the receptor prevents binding of the natural hormone (antagonistic effect).
Binding to transport proteins in your blood, thus altering the amounts of natural hormones that are present in your blood circulation.
Interfering with the metabolic processes in your body, affecting the synthesis or breakdown rates of your natural hormones.

And the latest study only adds to this undeniable knowledge:

What Are the Long-Term Health Risks from Exposure to Common Food Contaminants?

Non-descended testes in young males	Breast cancer in women	Prostate cancer in men
Developmental effects on the nervous system in children	Attention deficit hyperactivity in children	Thyroid cancer

According to a World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) report:³

Specifically, health problems linked to some of the most common food contaminants include:

BPA: Plasticizing chemicals like BPA, found in plastics and canned food linings, disrupt embryonic development and are linked to heart disease and cancer. Beware that many manufacturers of ‘BPA-free’ products have simply replaced BPA with bisphenol-S (BPS), an equally toxic chemical. More recently, research has found that other bisphenols used in the production of consumer products, namely, bisphenols M, AP and P, are actually more toxic to DNA than BPA.⁴
Phthalates: Phthalates dysregulate gene expression and cause genital anomalies, especially in baby boys, that may pass down several generations. Phthalates are found in vinyl flooring, detergents, automotive plastics, soap, shampoo, deodorants, fragrances, hair spray, nail polish, plastic bags, food packaging, garden hoses, inflatable toys, blood-storage bags, and intravenous medical tubing.
Dioxins: Dioxins are a byproduct of industrial processes, such as chlorine bleaching of paper products and the manufacturing of some pesticides. Because they are persistent environmental pollutants, they accumulate in the food chain and more than 90 percent of human exposure is through foods like meat, dairy products and fish. According to WHO, “Dioxins are highly toxic and can cause reproductive and developmental problems, damage the immune system, interfere with hormones and also cause cancer.”⁵
PCBs: Like dioxins, PCBs are persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that persist in the environment and resist breaking down, accumulating in the food chain and posing serious risks to human health and the environment. For instance, even though PCBs have been banned in the US for decades, they are still present in your environment. PCBs and other POPs have caused birth defects and other abnormalities among wildlife, along with damage to virtually every human bodily system.

Tips for Finding the Purest Foods Possible

It’s grown without pesticides and chemical fertilizers (organic foods fit this description, but so do some non-organic foods)	It’s not genetically engineered	It contains no added growth hormones, antibiotics, or other drugs
It does not contain artificial anything, nor any preservatives	It is fresh (if you have to choose between wilted organic produce or fresh conventional produce, the latter may still be the better option as freshness is important for optimal nutrient content)	It was not grown in a concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO)
It is grown with the laws of nature in mind (meaning animals are fed their native diets, not a mix of grains and animal byproducts, and have free-range access to the outdoors)	It is grown in a sustainable way (using minimal amounts of water, protecting the soil from burnout, and turning animal wastes into natural fertilizers instead of environmental pollutants)

Source: mercola.com

Treatment With a Next-Generation ALK Inhibitor Results in High Response Rates Following Crizotinib Failure in Advanced, ALK-Positive NSCLC.

Posted by zedie

A majority of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors harbor mutations in the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene responded to treatment with a novel ALK inhibitor despite progressing on earlier ALK inhibitor therapy, according to new results from a phase I study (Shaw AT et al.). The trial highlights the potential role of second-line ALK-targeted therapy in the treatment of ALK-positive NSCLC.

Approximately 3% to 7% of patients with NSCLC have ALK rearrangements, which occur more commonly in nonsmokers, younger patients, and adenocarcinomas. ALK-mutated tumors become dependent on ALK signaling, and as a result, are highly susceptible to ALK inhibition. Crizotinib, a first-generation ALK inhibitor, can induce response rates of 60% in patients with advanced ALK-positive NSCLC, but most patients develop resistance to crizotinib within one to two years.

In general, ALK rearrangements do not overlap with other oncogenic drivers such as EGFR and KRAS mutations in patients with NSCLC (Gainor JF et al.). New options for ALK-targeted therapy, therefore, expand treatment options for patients who are not candidates for other targeted therapies, and for those who progress on current ALK inhibitor therapy.

Alice T. Shaw, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School in Boston, presented findings from a multicenter, open-label, single-arm study of 122 patients with locally advanced or metastatic ALK-positive NSCLC. Of these, 63% had progressed on prior crizotinib therapy, and 31% were ALK-inhibitor naïve. All patients received LDK378, an oral next-generation ALK inhibitor that has shown 20-fold greater potency against ALK compared with crizotinib.

Response rates to LDK378 400-750 mg once daily were high in 114 evaluable patients, with 75% demonstrating some degree of tumor regression. The complete response rate was 58% for all patients, with no apparent differences between those with crizotinib resistance (57%) and those with no prior exposure to an ALK inhibitor (60%). Responses were durable, with a prolonged median duration of response (8.2 months) and median progression-free survival (8.6 months). Imaging studies also demonstrated the activity of LDK378 against central nervous system (CNS) metastases.

“CNS relapses are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients treated with crizotinib, so establishing the CNS activity of LDK378 is extremely important,” Dr. Shaw said.

Treatment with LDK378 was generally well tolerated. The most common adverse events included mild gastrointestinal symptoms in 58%-73% of patients. Grade ≥3 adverse events included elevated ALT (19%), elevated AST (10%), diarrhea (8%), and elevated lipase, hypokalemia, and nausea in 5% of patients. Three patients (2%) discontinued LDK378 due to adverse events. No treatment-related deaths were reported.

The current gold standard for detecting ALK rearrangements is fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Many institutions, however, are exploring the use of immunohistochemistry screening with ALK-specific antibodies, reserving ALK FISH to confirm ALK positivity (Tsao MS et al.; Lantuejoul S et al.).

Based on early findings from this trial, the FDA recently designated LDK378 as a breakthrough therapy, a designation intended to expedite the development and review of new therapies for serious or life-threatening conditions. LDK378 is currently under evaluation in phase II and III trials of patients with advanced NSCLC who have received prior chemotherapy and crizotinib and in patients who are crizotinib-naïve.

Another investigational ALK inhibitor, CH5424802, showed antitumor activity in in a phase I/II study of patients with ALK-positive NSCLC and no prior exposure to ALK-inhibitor therapy (Nakagawa K et al.). AP26113, a dual inhibitor of ALK and EGFR, is also under development for the treatment of ALK-positive NSCLC.

Source: The oncologist

ine-hei�j1.#0ground:white’>In females, there was a marked deterioration of glucose tolerance, which may be related to the 2-fold induction of estrogen sulfotransferase and reduced expression of estrogen receptor α (25%) and estrogen target genes (>34%).

Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals Likely to Cause Harm Even at Low ‘Safe’ Doses

Mimicking the biological activity of your hormones by binding to a cellular receptor. This can initiate your cell’s normal response to the naturally-occurring hormone at the wrong time or to an excessive extent (agonistic effect).
Binding to the receptor but not activating it. Instead the presence of the chemical on the receptor prevents binding of the natural hormone (antagonistic effect).
Binding to transport proteins in your blood, thus altering the amounts of natural hormones that are present in your blood circulation.
Interfering with the metabolic processes in your body, affecting the synthesis or breakdown rates of your natural hormones.

And the latest study only adds to this undeniable knowledge:

What Are the Long-Term Health Risks from Exposure to Common Food Contaminants?

Non-descended testes in young males	Breast cancer in women	Prostate cancer in men
Developmental effects on the nervous system in children	Attention deficit hyperactivity in children	Thyroid cancer

According to a World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) report:³

Specifically, health problems linked to some of the most common food contaminants include:

BPA: Plasticizing chemicals like BPA, found in plastics and canned food linings, disrupt embryonic development and are linked to heart disease and cancer. Beware that many manufacturers of ‘BPA-free’ products have simply replaced BPA with bisphenol-S (BPS), an equally toxic chemical. More recently, research has found that other bisphenols used in the production of consumer products, namely, bisphenols M, AP and P, are actually more toxic to DNA than BPA.⁴
Phthalates: Phthalates dysregulate gene expression and cause genital anomalies, especially in baby boys, that may pass down several generations. Phthalates are found in vinyl flooring, detergents, automotive plastics, soap, shampoo, deodorants, fragrances, hair spray, nail polish, plastic bags, food packaging, garden hoses, inflatable toys, blood-storage bags, and intravenous medical tubing.
Dioxins: Dioxins are a byproduct of industrial processes, such as chlorine bleaching of paper products and the manufacturing of some pesticides. Because they are persistent environmental pollutants, they accumulate in the food chain and more than 90 percent of human exposure is through foods like meat, dairy products and fish. According to WHO, “Dioxins are highly toxic and can cause reproductive and developmental problems, damage the immune system, interfere with hormones and also cause cancer.”⁵
PCBs: Like dioxins, PCBs are persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that persist in the environment and resist breaking down, accumulating in the food chain and posing serious risks to human health and the environment. For instance, even though PCBs have been banned in the US for decades, they are still present in your environment. PCBs and other POPs have caused birth defects and other abnormalities among wildlife, along with damage to virtually every human bodily system.

Tips for Finding the Purest Foods Possible

It’s grown without pesticides and chemical fertilizers (organic foods fit this description, but so do some non-organic foods)	It’s not genetically engineered	It contains no added growth hormones, antibiotics, or other drugs
It does not contain artificial anything, nor any preservatives	It is fresh (if you have to choose between wilted organic produce or fresh conventional produce, the latter may still be the better option as freshness is important for optimal nutrient content)	It was not grown in a concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO)
It is grown with the laws of nature in mind (meaning animals are fed their native diets, not a mix of grains and animal byproducts, and have free-range access to the outdoors)	It is grown in a sustainable way (using minimal amounts of water, protecting the soil from burnout, and turning animal wastes into natural fertilizers instead of environmental pollutants)

Source: mercola.com

Floors that Can Make You and Your Children SickFloors that Can Make You and Your Children Sick.

Posted by zedie

You’ve probably given careful consideration to the food your children consume on a daily basis. But what about the other environmental influences they’re exposed to on a near 24/7 basis, such as the materials in their living space and, more specifically, your flooring?

It is likely no one in your home is more familiar with your floor than young children or toddlers living there, as this is where they spend a good deal of time – exploring, playing and learning the ropes of life.

As they crawl, their hands (that will later end up in their mouths) sweep across the surface, and their faces are in close proximity to the material itself, and any emissions that have accumulated in household dust.

Toxic chemicals, including some that are so dangerous to children they have been banned from toys, are widely used in popular flooring materials, and new research shows that these chemicals can be taken up by infants’ bodies as they crawl along on the floor.

Serious Risks from PVC Flooring Revealed

If your home contains soft, flexible plastic flooring, such as vinyl or those padded play-mat floors for kids (often used in day cares and kindergartens, too), there’s a good chance it is made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC). One of the main problems with PVC is that it contains phthalates, or “plasticizers,” which are a group of industrial chemicals used to make plastics like PVC more flexible and resilient.

They’re also one of the most pervasive endocrine disrupters so far discovered. A new study conducted by Swedish researchers found levels of certain phthalates were higher in the urine of babies that had PVC flooring on their bedroom floor.¹

Researchers concluded:

“The findings indicate that the use of soft PVC as flooring material may increase the human uptake of phthalates in infants. Urinary levels of phthalate metabolites during early life are associated with the use of PVC flooring in the bedroom, body area, and the use of infant formula.

This study shows that the uptake of phthalates is not only related to oral uptake from, for example, food but also to environmental factors such as building materials. This new information should be considered when designing indoor environments, especially for children.”

This is not the first time PVC flooring has made headlines. Past research has linked it to increased levels of phthalates in household dust, which in turn is linked to chronic health conditions like allergies and asthma. One study also found that infants who lived in bedrooms with vinyl floors were twice as likely to have autism as infants with wood flooring.²

What You Need to Know About PVC Flooring Chemicals

Along with common uses in PVC flooring, phthalates are also commonly found in toys, food packaging, shower curtains, plastic medical equipment, household cleaners, cosmetics and personal care products.

According to a report by Environment and Human Health, Inc. (EHHI), studies have shown women of childbearing age have significantly higher phthalate exposures than other adults (could this be because they also use the most cosmetics?), and the chemical has been detected in 100 percent of pregnant women tested.³ It’s known that fetal exposure to phthalates is closely related to maternal exposure, so many, if not all, babies are starting out with exposure in the womb.

In childhood, children are further exposed to phthalates in consumer products ranging from toys, pacifiers and food packaging to personal care products and crawling on vinyl flooring. The chemicals are known to be a major source of indoor air pollution as well, as they are emitted from numerous household goods, including not only flooring but also furniture, upholstery, mattresses and wall coverings.

Phthalates have even been detected in infant formula and baby food, likely because they migrated from the packaging materials. This likely explains why the Swedish researchers found that certain phthalate levels were lower in 2-month-old babies if they were exclusively breastfed, with no supplements.

It’s alarming that children are being exposed to so many phthalates, from so many sources, as these are endocrine-disrupting chemicals that have been linked to a wide range of developmental and reproductive “gender-bending” effects, including:

Disturbed lactation	Decreased dysgenesis syndrome: A syndrome involving cryptorchidism (undescended testicles), hypospadias (birth defect in which opening of urethra is on the underside of the penis instead of at the end), and oligospermia (low sperm count), and testicular cancer
Interference with sexual differentiation in utero	Enlarged prostate glands
Impaired ovulatory cycles and polycystic ovary disease (PCOS)	Numerous hormonal disruptions
Early or delayed puberty	Breast cancer and uterine fibroids

Why Premature Babies May be Most at Risk

The sad truth is that most babies are likely starting off with a toxic chemical load due to their mom’s chemical burden. However, premature babies get a particularly rough start due to the high concentrations of phthalates they’re exposed to in the plastic medical equipment used during neonatal intensive care. With each plastic tube that a newborn is hooked up to, the rate of phthalate exposure increases. And for those premature infants who spend weeks and months in the neonatal intensive care unit, the exposure levels can be extraordinary.

As the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned, DEHP can be found in:⁴

IV tubing and IV bags	Nasogastric tubes
Umbilical artery catheters	Tubing used in cardiopulmonary bypass procedures (CPB)
Blood bags and infusion tubing	Ventilator tubing
Enteral nutrition feeding bags	Tubing used during hemodialysis

In fact, these medical devices can contain 20 to 40 percent Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP, a type of phthalate) by weight – and IV tubing can contain up to 80 percent! DEHP is not bound to the vinyl. It readily leaches out of these medical devices (the tubing or bag) into the solutions that come into contact with the plastic, where it then goes directly into you or your child.

The degree of this leaching depends on the temperature, the lipid content of the solution, agitation of the solution, and the duration of its contact with the plastic (i.e., storage time). Of course, the more medical procedures your child requires, the higher the exposure to this chemical. So, babies who are seriously ill and hospitalized have the greatest risk of exposure, as well as being the most vulnerable to its effects.

EHHI found that male infants exposed to phthalates through medical procedures are most at risk of suffering health effects,⁵ which include excessive inflammation.

Inflammation is known to trigger a number of diseases in premature babies, including a chronic lung disorder known as bronchopulmonary dysplasia and necrotizing enterocolitis, a serious intestinal condition. After their initial onslaught with chemicals in the hospital, they will then go home, where, unfortunately, the chemical exposure often continues.

12 Tips for Reducing Your Phthalate/PVC Exposure

Anything you can do to lower your, and your children’s, exposure to plasticizing chemicals like phthalates is a step in the right direction. Among them:

Choose toys made from natural materials (or at least only buying those made from phthalate-free plastic).
When redoing your home, look for “green,” toxin-free alternatives in lieu of regular paint and vinyl floor coverings.
Replace your vinyl shower curtain with one made of fabric or better yet install glass shower doors.
Switch over to natural brands of toiletries such as shampoo, toothpaste, and cosmetics.
Check your home’s tap water for contaminants and filter the water if necessary. You may also want to use an alternative to PVC pipes for your water supply.
Avoid using artificial air fresheners, dryer sheets, fabric softeners, scented candles or other synthetic fragrances and perfumes.
Store your food and beverages in glass rather than plastic, and avoid using plastic wrap.
Avoid processed foods (many are packaged in phthalate-containing packaging) and instead focus your diet on fresh, organic and locally grown whole foods.
Breastfeed your baby exclusively if possible, for at least the first six months (as you will avoid phthalates exposure from infant formula packaging and plastic bottles/nipples).
If you use baby bottles, use glass, not plastic.
Use only natural cleaning products in your home.
Teach your children not to drink water from the garden hose, as many are made with phthalate-containing plastics.

Source: Dr. Mercola

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Bisphenol-A (BPA)	Dioxin	Atrazine	Phthalates
Perchlorate	Fire retardants	Lead	Mercury
Arsenic	Perfluorinated chemicals(PFCs)	Organophosphate pesticides	Glycol ethers

Story at-a-glance

Cash-Register Receipts Are an Overlooked Source of BPA Exposure

Handling Receipts Increases Your Levels of BPA

BPA May Transfer to Your Skin After Holding a Receipt for Just 5 Seconds

Eating Canned Foods Is an Even Greater BPA Threat

‘ADA’ Plastics Chemical Found in Hundreds of US Foods

The ‘Dirty Dozen’ Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals

19 Tips to Reduce Your Chemical Exposure

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Early puberty, hypertension and diabetes in children, early menopause… The alarming issue of premature ageing points inescapably to our way of living, finds out Sudha Umashanker

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Story at-a-glance

How Do Environmental Toxins Affect Your Testosterone Production?

EDCs Can Affect Men’s Health as Early as Infancy

Phthalates and Other EDCs: A Pernicious Mix

How to Limit Your Exposure to Gender-Bending Chemicals

How to Address Aging-Related Testosterone Decline

The Hormone Replacement Method

Saw Palmetto and the Testosterone-Prostate Cancer Myth

Nutrients That Can Help Boost Testosterone Levels

The Connection Between Weight and Low Testosterone Levels

Exercise as a Testosterone Booster

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Story at-a-glance

How Do Environmental Toxins Affect Your Testosterone Production?

EDCs Can Affect Men’s Health as Early as Infancy

Phthalates and Other EDCs: A Pernicious Mix

How to Limit Your Exposure to Gender-Bending Chemicals

How to Address Aging-Related Testosterone Decline

The Hormone Replacement Method

Saw Palmetto and the Testosterone-Prostate Cancer Myth

Nutrients That Can Help Boost Testosterone Levels

The Connection Between Weight and Low Testosterone Levels

Exercise as a Testosterone Booster

Address Your Chronic Stress, Too

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Higher serum concentrations of perfluorinated chemicals are associated with an increase in total triiodothyronine, total thyroxine and free thyroxine among women, according to researchers from Taiwan.

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Story at-a-glance

Common Food Contaminants Lead to Potentially Dangerous Metabolic Changes

Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals Likely to Cause Harm Even at Low ‘Safe’ Doses

What Are the Long-Term Health Risks from Exposure to Common Food Contaminants?

Tips for Finding the Purest Foods Possible

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Several new studies presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2013 annual meeting provide additional support for the growing interest in programmed cell death 1 (PD-1), a key immune-checkpoint receptor, as a therapeutic target in NSCLC and other tumor types.

Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals Likely to Cause Harm Even at Low ‘Safe’ Doses

What Are the Long-Term Health Risks from Exposure to Common Food Contaminants?

Tips for Finding the Purest Foods Possible

Share this:

Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals Likely to Cause Harm Even at Low ‘Safe’ Doses

What Are the Long-Term Health Risks from Exposure to Common Food Contaminants?

Tips for Finding the Purest Foods Possible

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