Hormones are substances made by endocrine glands. These are chemical messengers that tell cells or organs what to do. Hormones act on the development or functioning of one or more organs.
What are hormones used for?
Very numerous, they all have a specific main function: to make us grow, to develop, to manage stress, to stay fit and in good health, to control metabolism, to act on sexuality, sleep, hunger, mood, to regulate glycemia…
What is an endocrine disease?
Endocrine diseases are characterized by too low or too high levels of one or more hormones.
A situation causing a pathology or disorder. Diabetes, thyroid disorders, osteoporosis, precocious puberty, fertility disorders, obesity, hypertension, growth disorders are linked (or sometimes linked) to the abnormal level of a hormone in the body and therefore to the dysfunction of a Endocrine gland.
Our environment in question
Our environment can be directly responsible for an endocrine disorder. According to the French Society of Endocrinology, more than 1,500 critical components in plastics contribute to the incidence of many endocrine cancers, obesity, diabetes, thyroid disease, osteoporosis and infertility.
More specifically regarding cancers, hormones play a role in the proliferation of cancer cells when the cancer is hormone dependent or hormone sensitive.
This is particularly the case for many breast and prostate cancers. This is also the case for endometrial cancer, thyroid cancer and neuroendocrine tumors. More than 400 rare diseases are linked to the endocrine system.
What are the 10 recommendations of the SFE?
1 – Exercise (1.5 to 2.5 hours per week)
2 – Eat healthily (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, reduction of processed foods)
3 – Get enough sleep (at least seven hours per night without interruption)
4 – Ensure your vitamin D intake (oily fish, possible supplementation in winter)
5 – Eat foods rich in iodine (seafood, seaweed, eggs, dairy products)
6 – Consume foods rich in calcium (yogurt, almonds, beans, dark leafy green vegetables)
7 – Avoid plastic packaging (glass or stainless steel containers, tap water, etc.)
8 – Improve air quality (vacuum, ventilate, dust against endocrine disruptors)
9 – Pay attention to cleaning products and cosmetics (avoid phthalates, parabens and triclosan)
10 – Consult your doctor in the event of: unexplained weight gain or loss, sensitivity to cold, change in appetite, brittle hair and nails, fatigue, scaly skin, onset of depression, excessive thirst, signs of early puberty, loss of libido, irregular menstrual cycles, infertility.
Source : French Society of Endocrinology, Arc Foundation, INRS
