Endometriosis is a common medical condition affecting an estimated 89 million women of reproductive age around the world. In endometriosis, the tissue that lines the uterus(the endometrium, from endo, "inside", and metra, "womb") is found to be growing outside the uterus, on or in other areas of the body. Normally, the endometrium is shed each month during the menstrual cycle; however, in endometriosis, the misplaced endometrium is usually unable to exit the body. The endometriotic tissues still detach and bleed, but the result is far different: internal bleeding, degenerated blood and tissue shedding, inflammation of the surrounding areas, pain, and formation of scar tissue may result. In addition, depending on the location of the growths, interference with the normal function of the bowel, bladder, small intestines and other organs within the pelvic cavity can occur. In very rare cases, endometriosis has also been found in the skin, the lungs, the diaphragm, and the brain. It is also very painful. (Wikpedia – 2007)
There has been a massive increase in the number of women and young girls with endometriosis in recent years. It is an oestrogen –driven condition, and hormone disruptors such as soy, the pill, petrochemicals, toxins, hormones in our food, plastics and even chemicals in our washing powder can all play a part.
Fortunately Healthy Aging Formula helps to restore healthy hormone levels, and NCD captures these toxins so they can’t further harm our bodies and endocrine systems.
Toxic Link to Endo (from the Endometriosis Association USA)
ENDOMETRIOSIS and the TOXIC LINK Endometriosis is an endocrine and immune disease that affects an estimated 89 million women and girls around the world, regardless of ethnic or social origin.
The incidence of allergies, asthma, and chemical sensitivities in women with endometriosis is higher than in the general population. Women with endometriosis are also at higher risk for autoimmune diseases and certain types of cancers.
The connection with chemical toxinsDioxin is a toxic byproduct of industrial and consumer processes that involve chlorine or incineration of chlorine-containing substances, such as PVC (polyvinyl chloride, commonly known as “vinyl”) plastics.
The main sources of dioxins are medical waste incineration, municipal waste incineration, chemical and plastic manufacturing, some pesticides, and pulp and paper bleaching. PVC disposable medical devices, such as IV bags and tubing, are a major concern because they become medical waste, which is often incinerated.
Dioxins formed during incineration are released into the air and travel via air currents, contaminating fields and crops. Cattle and other livestock eat the crops and the dioxin enters their tissue.
Humans then eat the contaminated animal products.In the early 1990s, the Endometriosis Association found that 79% of a group of monkeys developed endometriosis after exposure to dioxin in their food during a research study over ten years earlier.
The severity of endometriosis found in the monkeys was directly related to the amount of TCDD (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin – the most toxic dioxin) to which they had been exposed .
Monkeys that were fed dioxin in amounts as small as five parts per trillion developed endometriosis. In addition, the dioxin-exposed monkeys showed immune abnormalities similar to those observed in women with endometriosis .
As explained in books including Our Stolen Future, Dying from Dioxin, and The Endometriosis Sourcebook, scientists have come to the realization that certain chemical compounds, such as dioxin, have profound immunological and reproductive impacts at exposures far below the level known to cause cancer.
These chemicals are known as endocrine disruptors and can mimic hormones and interfere with many physiological processes . Scientists are still researching the mechanisms that are used, but they already know that these man-made chemicals persist in the body for years.
PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) are a group of dioxin-like chemicals that were used in industry until they were banned in the 1970s. Some PCBs persist in the environment for more than one hundred years. According to Endometriosis Association research, certain PCBs appear to be linked with TCDD in endometriosis in the monkeys.
The severity of endometriosis correlated with the blood levels of a particular PCB .Based on animal studies and observation of wildlife, impaired fertility is a result of exposure to endocrine disruptors. Infertility affects approximately 40% of women with endometriosis.
The Endometriosis Association’s research registry provides data showing that endometriosis is starting at a younger age and is more severe than in the past. Could this be the result of a rising “body burden” level of dioxins and other endocrine disruptors?
