Food, like anything else, can become an addiction. After all, what can you do if the manufacturers of the foods you consume every day make them as addictive as heroin? The large companies that provide you with your favorite treats work very hard to make them addictive. That’s why potato chips, for example, taste like airy pieces of heaven. Why would food companies purposely want you to consume a carbonated soft drink that tastes like the nectar of the gods, but is causing your body to slow down and get fat? The bottom line, profit, is the answer: Companies want you to become repeat customers. So, if you suffer from extreme personal weight gain and obesity, they are okay with that, as long as you continue to purchase their products.

The question of whether obesity is a matter of personal responsibility has long been debated. It may not be your fault that you are fat. People are programmed as consumers to eat what is quick, easy, and tastes good, but it is your responsibility to rework your way of thinking and make better choices. Doctors have said that you need to work off as many calories as you take in to maintain a healthy weight, but how many times have you failed using that system? There is a reason for that, and it has to do with hormones.

Hormone Disruptors: How They Affect Your Body

How many times have you heard your wife or daughter talk about their hormones being out of control? Chances are they are probably right. We’re continually exposed to chemicals that disrupt the hormonal system, but if you know how to protect yourself, you can stay ahead of the game.

Hormones are produced by the endocrine system, and once released from a specific gland, they act as messengers in the body. If your system is exposed to a hormone disruptor, in the food you eat or the products you use on your body or in your home, these disruptors “impersonate” the actions of natural hormones. The response these endocrine manipulators elicit can be extreme, and in some cases, they can create a completely different chemical response than the original hormone.

This means that hormone disruptors can alter the creation, binding, breakdown, and transport of your hormones. Even minuscule quantities can have a major effect. These chemicals do not break down quickly, which is precisely why companies put them in their products. Consequently, the compounds stay in your body and the environment for a long time. 

Your health and bodily functions are reliant on your endocrine system and the hormones it produces. If they are altered, you could face advancing obesity and dramatic personal weight gain. Hormone manipulators are stored in your fat cells, so the more fat you carry, the more endocrine disruptors you have stored. Hormone manipulators can be found not only in our food, but in soil, water, pesticides, plastics, personal care products, and pharmaceuticals. That’s why it’s important to know which hormones are naturally occurring and which are intentionally added to items that can make you fat.

The answer to avoiding hormone manipulators is to eat the highest quality, freshest food you can get. Organic foods may not be an option for everyone, but they are a good choice if they are within your budget. If you are staying active and working up a sweat daily, you are already on your way to ridding your body of these harmful substances. Your liver is responsible for filtering out toxins, so it’s imperative that you take care of it and make sure it’s functioning well. If you are unsure, it is always best to consult a physician. A doctor of osteopathic medicine, or DO, can help you understand what needs to be done to start a detoxification regime.

Once your hormones begin to re-balance, your cells can start healing by removing toxins. Your body will then be able to burn fat like never before. And you’ll finally be on your way to controlling your weight and achieving wellness.

For more information on Dr. David Rendelstein of NutriMost NJ, in Cranford, visit Diet-nj.com. To view his video on this topic, visit youtu.be/H3EUh5Hr5kc.