What are obesogens and how do they affect your health?

Have you heard of obesogens? You encounter these chemicals every day. Research shows that obesogens can potentially cause obesity in humans and animals.

So, it's not just too much and the wrong foods that can make us fat, but also substances in our environment. In this blog post, we'll delve deeper into what exactly obesogens are, where they're found, and their effects on health.

It's well known that more and more people are overweight (obese). The cause is usually attributed to diet. But in recent years, more research has also been conducted on the influence of the environment. Certain substances, such as obesogens, could also contribute to obesity.

Obesogens are chemicals found in all sorts of everyday objects, such as toys, cleaning products, personal care products, medications, cooking utensils, and storage containers.

Precisely because these substances occur in so many different types of objects, they can also end up in our drinking water, the air, and our food. This further increases our exposure to obesogens. And they disrupt important processes in our bodies.

Obesogens are considered chemicals that disrupt the endocrine system, i.e. the hormonal system, in the human body (these substances are abbreviated as EDCs).

The hormone system helps regulate digestion and therefore also influences your body weight. In addition, it plays an important role in maintaining your energy levels and fat storage [1] .

These EDCs can cause obesity by promoting fat storage. They do this by increasing the number of fat cells and also by stimulating fat storage in existing fat cells.

In addition, under the influence of these substances, your body prefers to store calories instead of using them. Even your microbiome, the beneficial bacteria in your intestines, prefers to store energy from food.

Obesogens alter your basic metabolic rate (BMR), which determines how many calories your body needs to function normally. They also affect your appetite by influencing the hormones that trigger feelings of hunger and fullness [2] .

Research shows that EDCs are already present in the placenta, umbilical cord blood, and amniotic fluid. Exposure to these substances early in development can increase babies' risk of obesity later in life, diabetes, and even cancer.

There are several types of obesogens. We discuss the five most common ones below. However, further research is needed on all of these substances to determine their precise role in the development of obesity. Most data has been obtained from animal studies, and much remains unclear about the effects of obesogens.

Atrazine is a herbicide still widely used in the United States. Fortunately, it has been banned in the European Union for over 15 years, which is a good thing, because it's a very harmful substance. It disrupts hormone balance in both humans and animals.

When you come into contact with atrazine, it stimulates the enzyme aromatase, which converts testosterone into estrogen. This disrupts the balance of sex hormones. It also reduces the production of luteinizing hormone, a hormone important for sexual development.

Research also shows that long-term exposure to this substance increases the risk of obesity and insulin resistance [3] . Furthermore, it appears that this obesogen increases the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer and diabetes, as well as the risk of birth defects.

• Disrupts the balance of sex hormones
• Reduces LH production
• Increases the risk of obesity and insulin resistance
• Increased risk of chronic diseases and birth defects

Organotins are substances used in various industrial processes. For example, they function as stabilizers in PVC and are used on ships to prevent marine life from growing on the hull. The latter substance (TBT) is known to end up in coastal waters, lakes, and sediments.

This substance can also disrupt sex hormones. Laboratory research shows that TBT stimulates the formation of fat cells.

The negative effects of TBT can even be felt across generations. Research was conducted on mice exposed to TBT during pregnancy and lactation. Male mice from the third and fourth generations were found to have more and larger fat cells.

In mammals (and also humans), the effects of organotins vary, ranging from obesity to damage to the heart, brain and immune system [4] .

• Stimulates the formation of fat cells
• Disruption of the sex hormones
• Over several generations, more and larger fat cells may occur in male animals
• May cause damage to heart, brain and immune system
• Increased risk of obesity

Phthalates are harmful substances used to make plastic durable yet flexible. They are commonly found in soaps, shampoos, food packaging, toys, and medical devices.

One of the most common phthalates is di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP). This chemical binds to the receptors of male sex hormones. This hinders the conversion of testosterone, preventing the hormone from working properly. One of the effects is that it can contribute to the development of obesity [5] .

Laboratory and animal studies suggest that phthalates may influence the development of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, research in children suggests a link between these substances and a higher BMI and increased risk of obesity.

You're most exposed to these obesogens through food and drinks that have come into contact with products containing phthalates. Phthalate particles in dust are also a source of contamination.

• Inhibits the conversion of testosterone
• May contribute to the development of obesity
• May increase the risk of type 2 diabetes
• May cause a higher BMI in children

Perfluorooctanoic acid is a surfactant, a compound with many applications. It's used to waterproof clothing, as a stain remover, and in microwaveable foods (like popcorn). It's also used in the non-stick coating of pans.

The question is whether it's harmful. The substance is found in the blood of virtually all Americans. The main source of contamination is through water. Once it's in your body, it can remain there for a long time.

PFOA, like some other obesogens, can activate the PPAR receptors in your body, which are involved in fat storage.

Studies have been conducted on mice. These show that mice exposed to PFOAs before birth were more likely to develop obesity as adults. They also had higher leptin and insulin levels, and higher body weight.

• Remains in the body for a long time
• Possibly activates PPAR receptors
• Increased risk of developing obesity
• Increased chance of a higher body weight

BPA is a chemical used to make plastics, primarily used as food packaging. It's also found in plastic cups, baby bottles, and canned food.

What makes BPA dangerous is that it is structurally similar to estradiol, a type of estrogen, the main female sex hormone. This allows it to bind to estrogen receptors in the body [6] .

Laboratory and animal studies show that this can potentially lead to insulin resistance and inflammation. It can also stimulate the body to produce more fat cells.

You're most likely to be exposed to BPA if you eat food stored or reheated in packaging containing BPA. It can easily leach into the food because it's not firmly anchored in the plastic.

Although research shows that high levels of BPA can be linked to an increase in obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure, the US FDA considers BPA a safe substance.

• Resembles estrogen and binds to estrogen receptors
• May cause insulin resistance and inflammation
• Stimulates the body to produce more fat cells

Not enough is actually known about the health risks of obesogens. Animal studies suggest that these substances can accumulate in tissues. Others could potentially increase the risk of obesity and other metabolic disorders in future generations.

It's probably not possible to completely avoid exposure to obesogens. But there are some things you can do to minimize your exposure:

• Eat as much organic vegetables, fruits, grains and rice as possible
• If you use cosmetics, choose organic products
• If you drink from water bottles, go for stainless steel or aluminum bottles
• Avoid pans with a non-stick coating, use cast iron or stainless steel pans
• Place your food for heating in the microwave on a plate or a glass dish
• Use glass bottles to feed your baby