Certain chemicals referred to as POPs (Persistent Organic Pollutants) get stored in fat tissue, and can cause hormonal problems. Many of these POPs are also “obesogens” and can increase the likelihood of a person being obese. Naturopathic Medical Doctors specializing in environmental medicine have known about this phenomenon for years, and it is finally hitting main stream medicine. Dr. Wdowin wrote an article in 2012 about environmental pollutants, obesogens and the endocrine system. [Read Here]
PCBs, found in high amounts in Atlantic Salmon, are a common POP, and while you believe you are eating healthily when you order a salmon salad, you may actually be increasing the amount of obesogens in your visceral fat tissue. POPs in your fat are associated with diseases related to obesity, and may also influence their development. Women were also more sensitive to these negative effects of PCBs.
If you are eating healthily, exercising, sleeping well and managing stress in a positive manner and STILL having trouble losing weight, obesogens may be the problem. Our naturopathic doctors can help you to understand what eating a healthy diet really means, and can guide you to make more informed choices. Shopping today can be overwhelming, especially with all the GMO, organic, gluten-free and paleo options out there. It can also be very expensive and we can help you make the best choices.
The Environmental Working Group also has great information about the most important foods to eat organic, as well as the best cosmetics to use in order to avoid toxic exposure. For example, long wear lipsticks often have lead in them, another obesogen and neurotoxic chemical.
References:
