is also chock full of protein, artificial sweeteners, salt, dairy products, and
chemicals galore. And let’s not forget that there is too much processed food in
our diet. This food is unrecognizable to our bodies and it is toxic to our
endocrine systems.
Many think they eat healthfully, but in reality, they do not, since they eat
processed food. Yes, processed food will fatten you up. Look at the ingredients
in the salad dressing in the following box and ask yourself why on earth you
would put this poison in your mouth. Do you think your body is going to say,
“Great, I love artificial colors.” Of course not. Your body can’t recognize this
food. Instead, it will secrete leptin, the hormone that controls satiety, to let you
know you still need to eat. You’ll feel hungry, and you’ll overeat.
Figure 1.6: Ingredients of a Low-Fat Salad Dressing
Partially hydrogenated soybean oil, dye #5, high-fructose corn syrup,
spices, xanthan gum, salt, natural and artificial flavors, preservatives to
maintain freshness.
Contains trace soy ingredients
Gender Benders
However, eating real food isn’t the only answer to turn your health around and
help you escape low-fat and lowcarb hormonal horror. Our hormones are also
negatively affected by gender benders. Gender benders are hormone
impersonators that we’re exposed to. Gender benders highjack your metabolism
and negatively affect your natural hormonal balance.
For the most part, our bodies are amazingly resilient. But what our bodies are
not designed for is exposure to the many endocrine disrupters found in the
environment. These substances mimic our hormones. As result, they build up
and interfere with the way our natural endocrine system works. These endocrine
disrupters are known as gender benders, since they are causing males in many
species to become feminized.
Pesticides, hormones found in nonorganic meat, and pollutants around us all
act as gender benders. Did you know that handlers who spray insecticides over
vegetables and fruits wear protective goggles and special gear to prevent any
exposure since it can be life threatening? And we eat this food! What is this
doing to us? Pesticides have been linked to insulin resistance and were found at
higher levels in many diabetics. So when I tell my patients to eat a balanced diet
with lots of organic food, some laugh and say, “Is this really important? And
what does this have to do with my irregular periods or diabetes, Doc?” “It has a
lot to do with your disturbed hormones,” I reply as I show them their test results.