Obesogens
Are obesogens wrecking your metabolism?
Most people have no idea that the chemicals in daily personal care products could be working against them, but scientists warn that obesogens are at least in part driving the obesity crisis. It may sound novel and new, but we’ve actually known about this for quite some time.
Why Endocrine Disruptors are Dangerous
The endocrine system controls all of our body’s functions by producing hormones that signal what to do. Think of your hormones as messengers sending instructions to your cells with EDCs as hormone hackers that intercept those messages. Chemicals that mess with our hormones are generally referred to as endocrine disrupting chemicals (“EDCs”). EDCs interfere with hormones by:
Mimicking hormones (tricking the body into a false response)
Blocking receptors (preventing real hormones from working)
Altering production or disrupting how hormones travel
EDCs can impact all sorts of bodily processes from reproduction and development, to metabolism, to our immune responses. They can cause systemic issues by either suppressing the immune system or triggering overactive responses like inflammation and allergies.
It’s no surprise, that EDC’s can affect our weight as well.
How Obesogens Affect Fat Storage
Chemicals referred to as obesogens are a subset of endocrine-disrupting chemicals that alter how your body creates and stores fat. Fat tissue (adipose tissue) is an endocrine organ that responds to hormones and is highly connected to hormones. This makes fat tissue uniquely susceptible to chemical interference.
Obesogens used in everyday products can actually affect body fat accumulation through the following:
Disrupting metabolic processes and fat cell development
Altering appetite and satiety signals (making you feel hungrier)
Damaging the gut microbiome
Examples of obesogens found in our everyday personal care products include:
Phthalates
Parabens
Per-and poly-fluoro alkyl substances (PFAS)
Chemical sunscreens
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
Other examples of obesogens outside of personal care products include flame retardants and bisphenol used in plastics and receipts.
The Obesogens Lurking in Your Routine
Phthalates & Parabens
Phthalates are typically found in fragranced products and nail polishes. Parabens are widely used in cosmetics (moisturizers, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, makeup) and personal care products as a preservatives.
A study from 1999-2002 revealed significant correlations between phthalates and waist circumference and insulin resistance in U.S. adult males. Prenatal exposure to phthalates and parabens (specifically diethyl phthalate, di-isodecyl phthalate, and propylparaben) was linked to an increase the risk of childhood obesity.
Adipose tissue is developed in the 14th week of gestation and continues, therefore an increase during this time establishes an elevated number of fat cells into adulthood.
Per-and poly-fluoryl alkyl substances (PFAS)
PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals” are found in cosmetics and even more likely in those with water resistant and long-wear claims. They are also used in non-stick cookware and water resistant apparel. PFAS permeate the skin barrier and can enter the bloodstream. PFAS are known as "forever chemicals" because they contain a carbon-fluorine bond, which is one of the strongest in nature, making them extremely difficult for your body to break down.
PFAS have been found to adversely affect the thyroid, which acts as the master switch for your metabolism. Two types of PFAS (PFOA and PFOS) were correlated with increased cholesterol levels and obesity. Exposure to PFAs during pregnancy is associated with higher BMI and risk of childhood obesity.
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are contaminants in petroleum-derived cosmetic ingredients such as petrolatum and carbon black.
Studies indicate that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons mimic hormones and could increase the risk of obesity.
Chemical Sunscreens
Most sunscreens on the market contain chemical UV filters, which absorb into the bloodstream at levels exceeding the FDA’s threshold for requiring further safety testing.
Certain commonly used chemical UV filters in sunscreens are obesogens such as avobenzone, benzophenone 3 and benzophenone 8 which are metabolism disrupting obesogens. Octocrylene is also a suspected metabolic disruptor, as it degrades into benzophenone inside the bottle, which is a known carcinogen and metabolism disruptor.
Beyond the Bathroom
While our personal care routine is a major source of exposure, obesogens aren't limited to the bathroom cabinet. To truly lower your toxic load, it's important to look at the silent disruptors in the rest of your home.
Bisphenols
Bisphenols, which we are largely exposed through food packaging, is associated with obesity and metabolic disorders. Epidemiological studies have found a positive association between urinary BPA levels and obesity and diabetes. Animal studies show BPA exposure effects adiposity and elements of metabolic disease.
Flame Retardants
Animals studies indicate that exposure to organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) may exacerbate the effects of diet-induced obesity.
Why Midlife Makes It Worse
We are especially vulnerable to EDCs during critical periods of development such as in utero, infancy, puberty, pregnancy, and menopause.
While obesogens affect everyone, midlife women are especially vulnerable. Your endocrine system is already going through massive changes during perimenopause and menopause. When you add obesogens to the mix, you’re layering chemical hormone disruption on top of natural hormonal fluctuations.
Phthalate metabolites in women were associated with associated with accelerated body fat gain in midlife. The Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (a study of a diverse group of midlife women followed for almost 20 years) found that phthalates were associated with faster increases in fat mass and body fat percentage. Shockingly, research has found that women with higher exposure to the phthalates commonly found in personal care products have 47% higher odds of experiencing daily hot flashes and significantly more severe menopausal symptoms.
If midlife weight gain feels stubborn or menopausal symptoms are severe, it might not just be aging or changing hormones. It may also be the increased insulin resistance from phthalates, thyroid disruption from PFAS, and or gut microbiome damage from multiple obesogen exposures.
Put simply, obesogens amplify the midlife challenges women face.
How to Reduce Exposure to Obesogens
There are simple steps you can take in everyday life to reduce exposure to obesogens such as:
Avoid fragranced products
Do not use products containing phthalates and parabens
Avoid water-resistant cosmetics
Choose mineral only sunscreens, avoid those with any chemical uv filters
Dust frequently as indoor dust is a reservoir for phthalates and PFAS
Avoid plastic food storage and canned foods
Swap PVC shower curtains for non-PVC options (PVC is a major source of di-isodecyl phthalate)
Do not use non-stick pans, opt for stainless steel or cast iron
Limit handling of receipts
Filter drinking water
Avoid clothing & furniture with flame retardants.
Take the Guesswork Out
You shouldn't need a chemistry degree to know what you're putting on your body. That’s exactly why I built the Switch Natural App. You can scan any product's ingredient list and instantly see if it contains obesogens or other toxins—taking the guesswork out of protecting your metabolic health.
