Pollution: Obesity's Secret Dirty Cause

While we have been told the alarming amount of weight gain in the last couple decades is the direct correlation of eating too much and exercising too little, scientists are discovering that not everthing is what it seems. Pollution, they have discovered, may be one dirty culprit sabotaging our waistlines. Certain industrial chemicals act as endocrine disruptors, screwing around with the hormones that regulate metabolism and appetite control. These chemicals, largely found in pesticides, flame retardants, and phthalates--used to plasticize a wide range of everyday products, from water bottles to makeup—also are thought to cause cancer and developmental defects as well as obesity.

Different studies have found that different chemicals effect the body and its fat cells in different ways. At Laval University in Quebec, scientists discovered that pesticides such as DDT and organochlorines such as dioxin are stored in our fat cells. As we lose weight, those chemicals are released back into our bloodstream in alarming rates, disrupting our thyroid gland's ability to regulate our metabolism. Basically, the scientists found, these chemicals shut down our ability to burn fat.

Other chemicals, called organotins, are stabilizers used in products almost universally, from clothing to pesticides to plastics. Some findings show these chemicals to increase the amount of mature fat cells in the body, making it almost impossible to keep fat off and lose weight. Other researches hypothesize that these chemicals cause allergic reactions in our bodies, increasing inflammation which leads to obesity, heart disease, and cancer.

Of course, we still do tend to eat too much and exercise too little, but if we are committed to not just weight loss, but to health, here are some tips to avoid these pollutants:

Eat organic--It's not just more nutritious, it helps you avoid those pesticides that can disrupt the hormones in your body. They do cost more, but look at the big picture-the health problems caused by pesticides cost much more in the long run. To cut down on the costs-try to go local. Often, small organic farms near you are cheaper than what you find in grocery stores. Make a fun trip out of going and picking your own produce or sign up for a CSA (community supported agriculture) and have your produce delivered to you. Better yet, grow your own! A small veggie garden is a wonderful project for children and adults alike.

Store in Glass or Metal--Ditch those plastic water bottles, especially the disposable ones. These have been shown to break down in heat (such as the backseat of a car on a summer day) releasing chemicals into water whose origin is already iffy at best. Ditto plastic food storage containers. Glass is the way to go. If, like me, you can't necessarily afford to go out and buy a whole set of glassware to store leftovers, try reusing pasta sauce, salsa, and other glass jars. Many have lids wide enough to store just about anything. For water bottles, metal is the best choice. If you must use plastic, don't use hot water, microwave it, or leave it in the sun.

Go Natural--Many of these chemicals are found in everyday items that we never equate with dangerous pesticides or plastics-from clothing to cosmetics. Going all natural is the best way to be sure. Organic cotton and wool clothing is now widely available, and all natural cosmetics are beginning to become mainstream. While many products may seem to be chemical free, the only way to really know is to check your products out on a website such as the Cosmetic Database or the Household Products database.

Detox and Support--It's important to flush those chemicals out of your body when losing weight as well as supporting your thyroid with seaweeds--in the form of salad, sushi wraps, or supplements. Detoxing your body with food and increased water can help clean the chemicals.

Finally, a thought on what this all means to me--everywhere I look it seems that our current culture is too complex, to pollutant, to wasteful. We are polluting our environment, our bodies, our minds and our souls. While we can make little changes to ensure that we stop poisoning ourselves, it seems like a paradigm shift may be in order'starting to think locally, sustainably, and simply'getting back to what it means to live a healthy and joyful life. Let's take back control of our bodies, our food, the products we use in our everyday life--and demand that the corporations that create these products become accountable to the health of their consumers.