Endocrine disruptors, the invisible chemicals that trigger disease
Humans are widely exposed to endocrine disruptors, compounds that can mimic the body’s natural hormones and impact health. These chemicals — which are invisible to the naked eye yet pervasive in the environment and everyday products — can interfere with the endocrine system from before birth, influencing reproductive health and contributing to various diseases, including cancer, diabetes, obesity, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Recent research suggests that early exposure to certain disruptors may lead to an earlier onset of puberty.
The scientific community is increasingly concerned about human exposure to these chemicals, particularly because they are ubiquitous — found in cosmetics, personal hygiene products, and food packaging — making it challenging to completely avoid them. “Research is focused on two key areas: the mechanisms by which these contaminants interfere with hormone receptors and the extent of human exposure to these compounds. The existing evidence is more than sufficient to warrant preventive intervention,” warns Nicolás Olea, a professor at the University of Granada in Spain and a physician at the city’s Clinical Hospital. Pesticides, heavy metals, bisphenol A, and parabens are among the most well-known and studied disruptors.
If natural hormones serve as messengers — substances that travel through the bloodstream to connect transmitters with receptors, such as the ovaries and breasts —endocrine disruptors interfere with this entire communication network. They mimic the role of natural molecules responsible for signaling and facilitating dialogue between cells and organs. These chemicals can disrupt any part of the communication process, whether by altering hormone transport, blocking receptors, or distorting the growth of hormone-producing cells. “They can affect hormone synthesis, transport, and binding to receptors, thereby increasing or decreasing hormonal activity. While the most common effect is interference with the receptor, they act like hackers of the messages [that hormones convey],” Olea explains.
