Food Saboteurs of Endocrine Health

Endocrine disrupters and other toxic food additives in our foods and widespread in our environment have been the subject of my medical work and consumer health books since the 1990s, in particular It’s My Ovaries, Stupid! (Scribner, 2003). I have donated copies to the Foundation to make the paperback version available in our Truth for Health store so that profits from book sales benefit our charity.

Our Truth for Health team led the way in multiple Press conferences in 2021 warning about damage to the human endocrine system from the mRNA COVID-19 injections and lipid nanoparticle (LNP) toxicity. Now, we finally have multiple alarming new peer-reviewed published studies from several countries showing the COVID-19 “vaccine” injections correlated with a marked decline in live births, women’s ability to conceive, early miscarriages, sudden deaths of breast-feeding infants of vaccinated mothers, deaths of vaccinated infants, and declines in men’s sperm counts. This has profound implications for a catastrophic population collapse in the years ahead if we don’t act to stop these COVID-19 injections.

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Surgeon General nominee Casey Means has primarily focused on toxic food additives that must be banned. While I agree this is a crucial area to address, I hope that their focus on food additives and our diet is not just another diversion from the urgently needed efforts to STOP THE SHOTS.

In the meantime, what can you do to improve your diet and help to mitigate the damage from the COVID shots to improve the health of your endocrine system?

There is a direct relationship between chronic disease and the food we eat, the levels of inflammation in our body, the function of our entire endocrine system and production of our critical hormones. When your hormones are out of balance, it affects every other function in your body. So it becomes even more critical to pay attention to the endocrine disrupters in our foods that sabotage hormone health. Food contributors to disease are ones that each of us can choose to control.

Systemic Inflammation is a root cause of most chronic diseases; cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, dementia, hypogonadism, and obesity. It is estimated that 95% of all chronic disease is caused by food choice, toxic food ingredients (including common endocrine disrupters rarely discussed), nutritional deficiencies and lack of physical exercise. Our food choices play a major role in managing inflammation: either causing or reducing inflammation in the body, which in turn also affects our endocrine system and the all-important hormonal functions it regulates.

Chronic inflammation significantly impacts the endocrine system by interfering with hormone production, hormone signaling, and hormone regulation. This can cause dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis which impacts the stress hormone cortisol levels. Inflammation also disrupts hormone production and signaling in the thyroid, pancreas, adrenals and other glands which can affect metabolism, immune function, and stress response. Inflammation also disrupts insulin signaling and sensitivity which can lead to insulin resistance and risk of type 2 diabetes.

If you are eating the Standard American Diet (SAD) you are consuming 57% of your calories from processed food – foods that contain added fats, oils, sugars and refined grains. The macronutrients for the SAD in 2020 are 50% carbs – mostly refined “wrong carbs”, 15% protein – poor quality, and 35% fat – fried foods, omega 6s unhealthy fats. The trouble is less with the percentages but more with the food choices. In 2010 a USDA study found Americans only consumed 11% of their calories from plant foods (down from 12% in 2009); that includes vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts and seeds and whole grains. Fiber is only found in plant foods and not in processed foods which remove the nutrient dense, highly beneficial fiber. 15 years ago, this study concluded that “Nearly the entire US population consumes a diet that is not on par with recommendations and this is an emerging national crisis”. Unfortunately, I don’t think we have made many improvements since then.

We know that people living on the standard American diet have higher incidence of heart disease and cancers. Factory farmed and processed foods are more likely to cause illness than organically grown, unprocessed foods. Yet up to 90% of the American food budget is spent on processed and fast foods. Another major contributor is added sugars that make up 13% of total calories and mostly from soft drinks and refined baked goods.

If you look around the grocery store you can see that the American diet is designed and engineered for a shelf in a warehouse not in your gut. The standard American diet high in refined sugars and red meat, both of which severely acidify the body, and produce inflammation. This acidic diet is at the core of many symptoms such as fatigue, digestive imbalances, emotional imbalances and anxiety. Adding foods to our diet (like fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains) can help restore balance and gut balance and health again. Since the 1950s, calorically dense, nutrient poor foods and beverages started becoming standard fare in this country to the detriment of both our microbiota and our overall health.

Just look at the ingredients and the side effects in sweetened carbonated beverages (soda):

• Phosphoric acid weakens bones and teeth

• Artificial sweeteners that make you crave more and more

• Caramel color, purely cosmetic and doesn't add flavor is tainted with carcinogens

• Formaldehyde, a carcinogen, is not added to soda but comes from aspartame when digested. Aspartame breaks down into two amino acids and a methanol making formic acid and formaldehyde.

• High fructose corn syrup is a concentrated form of sugar fructose derived from corn that increases body fat, cholesterol and triglycerides, and it increases your appetite.

• Potassium benzoate is a preservative that can be broken down to benzene in your body, another carcinogen.

• Food dyes which can cause impaired brain function, hyperactive behavior, difficulty focusing and the lack of impulse control.

Specific foods that may cause inflammation:

• Gluten is a common allergen and inflammatory food that can be found in wheat, barley and rye. Even is you are not allergic to gluten, try to eliminate all gluten for a few weeks and see if you feel a difference.

• Linoleic Acid is found in polyunsaturated seed and vegetable oils that contain Omega 6 fatty acids such as safflower, sunflower, soy, and corn. These are pro-inflammatory and drive oxidation in the body. This oxidation can cause mitochondrial dysfunction and disease processes. Studies have shown that soybean oil can affect the hypothalamus in brain which regulates metabolism and stress responses.

• Casein in meat, dairy and eggs can cause inflammation in some people

• Fried food and fast food due to the low-quality oils used and the high temperatures they are cooked at are highly inflammatory.

• Syrup and Soft drinks, and condiments can high fructose corn syrup. Read the labels carefully and try to buy organic, low added-sugar condiments or make your own, buy real maple syrup or raw local honey, and switch to sparkling waters.

• 80% of all processed foods in the United States contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs) that can cause allergic reactions. These are mostly plant products. Sugar beets, canola oil, soybean products, corn and cotton seed oil are 92-99.9% GMO in the U.S. So avoid these foods to avoid GMOs.

Foods that are effective in reducing inflammation include raw nuts, whole plant fats like olives, avocados, olive oil, low glycemic whole fruits-tart cherries, berries, orange-colored vegetables and fruits, pineapples (fresh, whole), dark leafy greens, onions and garlic, cold water fish and the Mediterranean diet.

Specific Endocrine Disrupting foods – Avoid or use with sparingly
While many of the foods listed below are not necessarily inflammatory, they do contain components that can block hormone receptor sites or lower important hormone levels.

• Phytoestrogens are plant compounds that have chemical structures similar to but weaker than the hormone estrogen. Phytoestrogens interact with the body’s estrogen receptors and can block the body’s own potent estrogen hormone from doing its job. Any woman with a menstrual cycle or taking estrogen replacement therapy should avoid these foods – Soybeans, Soybean oil, Soy lecithin, tofu, edamame, flaxseed, flaxseed oil, chia and pumpkin seeds.

• Weaker phytoestrogens include cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower. I do not recommend eliminating these foods, but this is an example of how a pure vegetarian diet can lower estrogen levels by up to 20%.

• Phytoestrogens can also lower testosterone levels in men and may impact sperm production. Excessive intake can lead to mild feminizing effects.

• Chrysin found in Royal jelly, honey and in passion flowers may have estrogen blocking properties.

• Mushrooms contain aromatase which converts androgens to estrogen, not good for men with low testosterone levels.

• Alcohol interferes with liver and kidney function which affects body’s ability to regulate estrogen.

• Nutraceuticals and herbs-supplements can block estrogen receptors that are promoted as over-the-counter menopause treatments but also for PMS, and PCOS in women with ovaries and still producing estradiol:

  • Black cohosh, Nigella sativa (black seed oil, black cumin seed) contain thymoquinone) and in same family as Black Cohosh

  • Turmeric, curcumin

  • Nettle Root

  • Diindolylmethane (DIM)

  • Indole-3 carbinol

  • Grape seed extract

  • Maca – Peruvian ginseng

• Pesticides and herbicides – The herbicide atrazine has been known for many years to cause decreased testosterone production, and blockage of the androgen receptors in the body. Other potent endocrine disrupters include glyphosate, a broad-spectrum herbicide, also used off-label as a desiccant that speeds ripening so may even be on non-GMO foods. Paraquat and diquat are registered desiccants, used in the United States since 1962, may be even worse than glyphosate, and have been approved by EPA in 2021 for another 15 years. This product has been used heavily on beans, so pressure cook your beans, and buy organic. These are some of the worst offender, but

• Environmental endocrine disruptors can also be found in tobacco smoke, plastics – food wraps and packaging, flame retardants, fragrances in lotions and toiletries and cleaning products.

For men there are toxins that affect testosterone levels and can make it into our food supply and are contributors to decreased testosterone levels through endocrine disruption:

• Phlatates (DEHP) are chemicals used to increase flexibility in plastics and act as endocrine disruptors, interfering with testosterone synthesis by blocking androgen receptor activity. Reduced testosterone can lead to decreased libido, fatigue and reproductive issues. Phlatates are found in plastics, personal care products, and flexible PVC products. Try to remove all plastic from your kitchen, use glass and stainless-steel containers and cook ware.

• Bisphenol A or BPA is found in food containers, baby bottles, water pipes, canned food linings, and thermal paper receipts. BPA has been shown to mimic estrogen and block testosterone’s normal effects. BPA can also lower sperm count and impact fertility.

• Xenoestrogens are synthetic compounds that mimic estrogen and disrupt testosterone-estrogen balance. These are found in plastics, personal care products, and food additives in processed foods. This imbalance can lead to symptoms like reduced libido and fatigue.

• Organophosphates, a class of pesticides, interferes with hormone regulation. Other pesticides also reduce sperm motility and lower testosterone levels. Try to buy organic and wash foods carefully

• Molybdenum a heavy metal found in soil and water, has an inverse association with testosterone levels. This affects men with low zinc and can lower testosterone by 37%.

There are several nutrients involved in the production of testosterone: zinc, vitamin D, cholesterol, magnesium. Deficiency in any of these can negatively impact testosterone levels. Zinc deficiency has been linked with hypogonadism (low testosterone levels), impacting sperm production and sexual function. If you have symptoms of, or suspect you have low testosterone, my suggestion would be to get tested – but not only your testosterone levels but also get your zinc, vitamin D and magnesium levels tested as well. If these levels are low, talk with your physician as supplementation may be appropriate. Men on statin medication typically have very low cholesterol and do not have the building block to make testosterone,

We can control what we eat. We choose where we eat, what we buy, how we cook our food and the ingredients we use. It is a matter of being informed and conscious every step of the way. It is not always easy. We all get fooled; packaging is clever and designed to sell not inform.

Read the labels carefully look for clues: Beware of “natural flavoring”, added sugars and artificial sweeteners. If you can’t pronounce an ingredient – it probably doesn’t belong in your food. I always try to buy low or no sodium or no salt canned foods and organic. I look for real ingredients and I wind up making a lot of my meals from scratch at home. We don’t have to be perfect but the more we can eat real food, whole foods that appear as they do in nature the better. Buy the highest quality foods you can afford, sacrifice the “junk” food (have you seen the price of a bag of chips!) to buy organic fruits and vegetables. You will feel better; your body will thank you and your hormones will thank you!

And to insure optimal health, I encourage you to turn to our natural medicines with our top quality, cGMP-compliant professional formulas for TruImmune™Boost, TruNAC™, TruImmunoglobulin,™ TruC with BioFlav™ (Vitamin C with complete Bioflavonoids), Tru BioD3™, TruZinc™, TruMitochondrial ™Boost and TruProBiotic™ Daily to replenish critical bifidobacteria depleted by COVID shots, viral illnesses, and antibiotic therapy.

God’s design of our bodies and his creation in nature has given us the basic tools: Sunlight. Clean water. Whole foods. Deep sleep. Daily movement. Prayer and communion with our Creator. But in today’s toxic world, we need more than these tools, which is our mission to help teach you and provide additional medical, psychological, spiritual and nutritional resources.

Yet, God’s design and nature hold the key — we just have to return to it and commit to using these gifts every day! This is particularly true since we are in the battle against the evil forces have sought to destroy our God-given freedom and our way of life. Put on the full armor of God. STAND STRONG! Take care of your body, the Temple of the Holy Spirit through which we serve Him in this world.

In His Service,
Elizabeth Lee Vliet, M.D.
President and CEO

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