Note: These chemicals are harmful to men too, even though this article focuses on the harm being done to women’s metabolism.
by Nick Garcia, Certified Nutrition Specialist and Author of The 3-Week Metabolism Diet
Recent research indicate that the metabolic rate of the average woman today is 25% less than it was in the early 1990s (comparing women of the same ages). Meanwhile, the average female 
thyroid hormone levels have decreased by an alarming 20%during the same time period. The studies also show that female BMI (body mass index) has increased 8 pounds in that same time period.
What this means is that the average female in today’s over-stressed, unhealthy society is significantly more overweight, depressed, fatigued, and “clogged up” than their counterparts of the same age just a couple of decades ago.
Why is This Strange Slowing of Metabolism Happening With Decreased Thyroid Hormone and Higher Body Fat Percentage?
Well, toxins, chemicals, pesticides, and “fake foods”. If you wondered why metabolic rates are down over 20%, stress hormones are elevated (cortisol, estrogen, and insulin), and body fat percentages are higher, you need not look any further than your fork. By the way, common household products, beauty products, and plastics contribute to this too, but nearly as much as our food.
These toxic chemicals are found virtually in everything we eat, lurking in your “fresh fruits and vegetables”, frozen dinners, cake mix, coffee creamers, drinking water, and much more…
Our environment and food supply are overrun with hidden chemicals. Herbicides and pesticides are sprayed on farms, orchards, gardens, and literally on some foods after harvest. Industries are dumping their waste into the water supply, polluting the water you drink. Tons of pharmaceutical drugs and other hormone-altering substances pollute our water supply.
And it doesn’t stop there….
The air you are breathing right now is carrying hormone-mimicking chemicals in the form of smoke, smog, and exhaust vapors. The commercial meat, dairy, and poultry you eat every day is full of hormones, antibiotics, and additives that are high in estrogen, synthetic hormones, and healthy bacteria killing medicines.
The foreign xenoestrogens found in plastics and pesticides disrupt the natural hormonal cycles of human and animal life. The widespread use of genetically-modified foods has made this problem worse. Glycophosphate (the active ingredient in the most common pesticide) often leaves a residue on the crops it is used on. And the artificial gene, which has been inserted into every genetically-altered seed, is absorbed by your gastrointestinal tract if you eat GM foods.
During the course of your daily life, you are exposed to a variety of environmental chemicals. It is important to be aware of the most common and most toxic ones, which I’ll describe below”
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
GMOs are foods that have insecticide genes implanted into their DNA, which in many cases is intended to allow them to be resistant to dying from pesticides. This allows farmers to use more
pesticides without killing the crop.
This may seem harmless, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
The list of genetically-modified foods is growing but primarily includes corn, soy, canola, cottonseed oil, and sugar beets as the main enemies to avoid.
The most common problem associated with consumption of GMO foods is decreased digestive system function. The regular consumption of GMO foods has been linked to Leaky Gut Syndrome, lowered immunity, and gastrointestinal inflammation. Recent laboratory studies have proven that rats fed a genetically-modified diet lose their fertility and have decreased thyroid health.
Bishenol-A (BPA)
BPA is a common ingredient in many plastics including those in reusable water bottles and the linings of most food cans. BPA is mostly used to prevent preserved or canned foods from developing a metalic or plastic taste. In addition to being used as an inner lining in most canned goods, it can be found in plastic
baby bottles and food storage containers. Remember, almost all canned foods contain BPA.
This toxin is now so pervasive it can be detected in the umbilical cord blood of 90% of all newborn infants. Once BPA is in your body, it mimics estrogen causing an imbalanced progesterone:estrogen ratio, along with a decreased liver function and lowered thyroid.
BPA has also been linked to cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and metabolic syndrome.
Parabens
Parabens are used as preservatives by cosmetic and pharmaceutical companies. Similar to BPA, parabens have hormone-disrupting properties that lead to imbalances and decreased thyroid function.
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
PFOA is a chemical that makes things resistant to grease and water. It is used to keep grease from leaking through fast food wrappers, microwave popcorn bags, and other packaged foods. It’s also found in non-stick coatings liks Teflon. PFOA is a highly-estrogenic compound that can disrupt your hormones. It has also been linked to hypothyroidism, cancer, decreased immunity, and increased LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. To make things worse, PFOA stays in the body for many years attaching itself to your fat cells. Yet, another reason to lower your body-fat percentage.
If you are using non-stick pans on a daily basis, you may be exposing yourself and your family to PFOAs and other potentially harmful substances. In less than five minutes at high temperatures, the coating of a non-stick pan also breaks off into a chemical called PFIB, a close-relative to the nerve gas using in World War II. Scary, huh?
Fluoride
Fluoride is a toxic waste product, yet it is added to our water supply to apparently make our teeth stronger and less susceptible to cavities. While topical fluoride will have this effect, drinking fluoride is similar to eating lipstick to make your lips pretty.
Fluoride exposure can lead to many health complications including bone and joint pain, immune disorders, lower fertility, hormonal imbalances, and decreased metabolic rate.
With all of these negative effects of fluoride, it’s important to make sure you’re using a water filter that removes fluoride if you have city water.
Bovine growth hormones (rBGH or rBST)
Bovine growth hormones are genetically engineered and given to commercially-raised cattle, pigs, poultry, and goats to increase their growth and fat content. The concentration of bovine growth hormones is highest in non-organic animal meats and dairy products. A causal link between their consumption and the onset of both premature puberty and prostate cancer has been scientifically established.
MSG
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is an excitotoxin and food additive commonly used to enhance flavor. MSG itself is not frequently found on food labels because it is often disguised as “natural flavor” or “natural spices” or hydrolyzed yeast extract, and other deceptive ingredient names. The consumption of MSG has been linked to various neurological disorders, digestive complications, and decreased thyroid function.
Needless to say, if you want to protect your metabolism and your overall health, you should do everything you possibly can to minimize your exposure and consumption of these 7 chemicals I talked about in this article.
On the next page, I’ll show you 7 MORE foods that are KILLING your metabolic rate, and making you sick, tired, and sluggish. This includes some of the foods you’re eating, and even some of the exercises you’re probably doing too.
You’ll also discover some powerful superfoods, herbs, and other tips to turbocharge your metabolism, boost your ability to burn stubborn body fat, gain more confidence, and balance your hormones…
