Endocrine Disruptors: Impact on Hormonal Axes and Nutritional Strategies. A Narrative Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54167/tch.v19i2.1796Keywords:
environmental-exposures, endocrine-disruptor, hormonal-axes, health-risks, nutritionAbstract
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are environmental contaminants that interfere with hormonal systems from the time of fetal development onward. This narrative review summarizes the mechanisms of action of EDC across key hormonal axes and explores nutritional interventions as preventive strategies. A comprehensive literature search in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and SciELO revealed that EDC exposure primarily occurs through contaminated food, either naturally or due to migration from packaging. Phthalates, bisphenol A, PCBs, food additives, and heavy metals interfere with hormone transport proteins and receptors, contributing to the development of developmental, metabolic, and reproductive disorders. Evidence suggests that a balanced diet may mitigate these adverse effects through three pathways: reducing EDC intake, limiting their accumulation in the body, and supplying essential nutrients and bioactive compounds, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, β-carotene, flavonoids, coenzyme Q-10, omega-3 fatty acids, and polyphenols, that combat oxidative stress and inflammation induced by EDCs. Incorporating EDC exposure assessment into clinical practice may improve early diagnostic and management of non-communicable diseases.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54167/tch.v19i2.1796
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