Are Obesogens Making You Fat? How to Avoid These Hidden Chemicals and Stay Healthy | Bathing Evolved

In this video, Will from Bathing Evolved and Evolved Elements discusses obesogens, which are chemicals or physical agents that disrupt the body's endocrine system, leading to metabolic changes that can result in weight gain or obesity. He cites the groundbreaking discovery of developmental biologist Bruce Blumberg at the University of California, Irvine, who linked exposure to the chemical tributyltin (TBT) with obesity. TBT, which was commonly used as a biocide to prevent the growth of barnacles and other marine organisms on ship hulls, would leech into the seawater and accumulate in the tissues of marine animals. Blumberg's experiments with mice found that exposure to low doses of TBT during gestation and lactation periods led to an increase in body fat and a potent activation of a nuclear receptor called PPAR gamma, which is involved in the differentiation of fat cells. The activation led to an increase in the number and size of fat cells, ultimately leading to obesity. Will also discusses other chemicals that are known to cause obesity, including BPA, phthalates, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and pesticides, and the importance of considering the role of environmental factors in addressing the obesity epidemic.

Transcript:

 Hey everyone. This is will from Bathing Evolved and Evolved Elements. In this video, I'm going to be diving into the topic of obesogens and how, in our opinion, It's fueling the obesity epidemic in the United States and the Western world.

So I hope this video is something very informative for you and your family, and let's get started.

So obesogens are chemicals or physical agents that disrupt the normal functioning of your body's endocrine system. Leading to metabolic changes  that can result in weight gain or obesity.

The substances can alter your body's metabolism, hormonal balance, and fat storage.

Bruce Blumberg and his team or the first. To identify the link between exposure to obesogens. And obesity in laboratory animals.

Since then researchers have identified several obesogens. That are commonly found in everyday products.  Such as plastics, food additives. And pesticides.

The accumulation of these chemicals in the body can have long-term effects. On health, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease.  So there's growing evidence that environmental factors play a significant role. In the development of obesity. Exposure to various chemicals, such as obesogens, pesticides and endocrine disruptors as well as physical agents, such as artificial light and noise pollution have been linked to weight, gain and obesity.

These environmental factors can disrupt the body's endocrine system, which is responsible for regulating metabolism, appetite, and energy balance. Furthermore, these factors can affect the development of adipose tissue leading to an increase in the number and size of fat cells.  Which can contribute to the development of obesity. The impact of environmental factors on obesity is especially significant during critical periods of development, such as in utero. Infancy and adolescence.

 It is therefore important to consider the role of environmental factors when addressing the obesity epidemic and to take steps to reduce the exposure to these factors in order to produce healthier lifestyles and to prevent obesity.

And to go over Bruce Blumberg in kind of a summarized fashion

he is wildly  recognized for discovering obesogens and how they disrupt the body's metabolism and contribute to the development of obesity.  So we're going to talk more in detail about his discoveries on the next slide.

So Bruce Blumberg, a developmental biologist at the University of California, Irvine made a groundbreaking discovery in the early two thousands that linked exposure to the chemical tributyltin, TBT with obesity. TBT was commonly used as a  biocide to prevent the growth of barnacles. And other Marine organisms on ship hulls.  As TBT was not tightly bound to the paint, it would leech into the seawater and accumulate in the tissues of Marine animals.

 Blumberg and his team conducted experiments with mice exposing them to low doses of TBT. During gestation and lactation periods. The mice that were exposed to TBT had significantly higher percentages of body fat compared to the unexposed mice.  Despite being fed the same diet.

Blumberg and his team also found that TBT. I was a potent activator of a nuclear receptor called PPAR gamma, which is involved in the differentiation of fat cells.

This activation led to an increase in a number of fat cells, ultimately leading to obesity. So Blumberg's discovery. Of this link between TBT and obesity was a significant breakthrough in the field of environmental health and it showed that exposure to certain chemicals can disrupt the endocrine system and contribute to the development of obesity.

So going into more detail on how tributyltin activates PPAR gamma. The master regulator of fat cell development. Basically TBT has been shown to activate a type of protein called peroxisome profit later, activated receptor gamma, or PPA, our gamma. Which is really the known master regulator of fat cell development, PPA. PPA our gamma is expressed in adipose tissue. Or a fat tissue and it plays a crucial role in regulating the differentiation of pre. Adipocytes amateur fat cells into a mature Oedipus. In to mature.

Adipocytes fat storing cells. When PPA our gamma is activated by TBT it enhances the expression of genes involved in adipocyte differentiation and fat storage. Leading to an increase in the number and size of fat cells. This results in an overall increase in body fat mass and contributes to the development

of obesity. More over PPA. R gamma is also involved in  regulating glucose and lipid metabolism and it's activation by TBT can disrupt these processes leading to insulin resistance and other metabolic disorders  associated with obesity so we can credit dr Blumberg who really change the science of endocrinology And environmental toxin research with his work

 So I wanted to go into detail on the general chemicals  that are known to cause obesity or obesogens and really the most well-known one that's pretty well talked about in society  is BPA is, are Bisphenol A 

per flouro, octane acid PFO AEs and pesticides. So with, by Bisphenol A's. It's basically a chemical used for the production of certain plastics and resins. So most plastics are going to have BPH and they're pretty commonly found in food containers. And beverage bottles.

So try to look for BPA free plastic when you can. Phthalates, a group of chemicals used as plasticizers in a wide range of consumer products, including food packaging, cosmetics and fragrances. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of synthetic chemicals. Using various industrial and consumer products, including non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing. And food packaging.

Tributyltin TBTs, as we talked about earlier. An organic compound, that's used as a biocide in Marine paints. And as a stabilizer and PVC resin production.

Organotens .

A group of organic compounds used in various industrial and agricultural applications. Including as fungicides and pesticides. Polychlorinated by phenols PCBs. A group of chemicals that were widely used in industrial applications. Until their production was banned in the late 1970s. Dioxins. A group of toxic chemicals that are released as byproducts.

I have certain industrial processes and combustion.

And arsenic.

A toxic metal Lloyd that occurs naturally in the environment. And it's used in various industrial and agricultural applications. These chemicals or obesogens can cause weight gain through imbalancing and disrupting the endocrine system, inbalancing your hormones and interfering with the production and secretion of leptin.

So Bisphenol A is a commonly used chemical that can cause obesity. And it's widely used in a variety of products, including food and beverage containers, dental sealants and thermal paper receipts. And it's really classified as an obesogens due to its ability to disrupt the endocrine system and cause weight gain and research has shown that exposure to BPA can disrupt the balance of hormones in the body, particularly those involved in regulating metabolism and.

Appetite. BPA has been shown. To activate the estrogen receptors, which can lead to an increase in fat storage and a decrease in energy expenditure. Studies are also showing that prenatal and early life exposure to BPA can have long-term effects. On weight gain and your obesity risk. And in animal studies, pregnant mice exposed to BPA had offspring that were more likely to develop obesity.

Even if they were not exposed to BPA after birth.

Similarly human studies have found an association between prenatal BPA exposure. And an increased risk of obesity in your childhood. In addition to its effects on hormones and metabolism. BPA may also affect the gut microbiome, which has been implicated in weight regulation. Studies have found that exposure to BPA.

Can alter the composition of gut bacteria. And increase inflammation in the gut, which can contribute. Greatly to obesity.

So overall BPA is a commonly used chemical that can disrupt your endocrine system and contribute to weight gain, and Europy Citi risk. So it's important to limit exposure to bpa by choosing products that are bpa free and reducing the use of plastic containers And packaging



 Phthalates are chemicals that can affect your metabolism and they're commonly used as plasticizers, solvents, and additives in many consumer products, including food packaging, personal care products and medical devices.

These chemicals are known to disrupt your endocrine system, which can affect metabolism and lead to weight gain. The research has showing that exposure to Phthalates can lead to insulin resistance, the condition, which your body cells become less responsive to insulin, and which is extremely important because it's a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. Phthalates have also been shown to disrupt the functioning of mitochondria, the energy producing organelles and cells, which can further contribute to metabolic dysfunction. One study even showed, that higher levels of Pilates in urine were associated with a higher BMI or body mass index,  and waist circumference in children and adolescents. Another study showed that exposure to  Phthalates during fetal development can increase the number and size of fat cells. Which can predispose individuals to obesity.  Later in life.

Overall, the evidence suggests that Phthalates our obesogens, that can affect metabolism. And contribute to weight gain.

Perfluorooctanoic acid or PFOA is a synthetic chemical that has been widely used in consumer products such as nonstick, cookware, stain resistant carpets and water resistant clothing.

Studies have linked P F O H exposure to decreased thyroid function, which can lead to weight gain. Thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate metabolism and PFO exposure has been shown to interfere with this process. One study even found that PFI exposure was associated with increased levels of thyroid stimulating, hormone, TSH, and decreased levels of thyroxin T4.

 A thyroid hormone that helps regulate one's metabolism. Another study showed that PFO exposure was associated. With an increased risk of hypo thyroidism. It condition in which the thyroid gland doesn't produce enough hormones. Hypothyroidism can cause a range of symptoms, including fatigue, weight gain and difficulty in losing weight.

It also can lead to other health problems. Such as high cholesterol, heart disease and depression. While more research is needed to fully understand the link between PFO a exposure. And thyroid function.

It's clear that this chemical can have a negative impact on our health and wellbeing

Atrazine, a pesticide that slows down thyroid metabolism. Atrazine is a commonly used  herbicide that is wildly applied in agriculture to control broadleaf weeds. It's also used on golf courses and residential lawns.  Although Atrazine has been deemed safe for humans. 

Research has found that the chemical may have adverse effects on human health, including weight gain and metabolic disorders. One of the ways that Atrazine can affect your body is by disrupting the thyroid gland.

The thyroid gland produces hormones that control one's metabolism among other functions. And Atrazine and can interfere with the thyroid glands ability to produce hormones leading to hypo. Thyroidism a condition in which the thyroid gland

is underactive. This can result in a slower metabolism, which can lead to weight gain. Studies have also found that Atrazine exposure can lead to insulin resistance.

Moreover, some studies have suggested that Atrazine can disrupt your entire endocrine system.

So of course that leading to changes in appetite, energy, balance, and fat storage potentially contributing to obesity, not to mention mental health affects such as causing depression and other types of mood disorders.  So in summary while Atrazine is wildly used and considered safe by regulatory agencies research has suggested That it can have adverse effects on thyroid function and metabolism leading to weight gain and other health problems

So the impact of obesogens on our health is a serious concern. It's real, and it's crucial that we take action to reduce our exposure to these harmful chemicals. Support companies like ours and others that are obesogens free. And commit to using obesogens free products to help your health

and the best way that you can make a difference in your own health and with the health of our communities by choosing obesogen free products. Thank you all. And I hope this video helped you on your own unique wellness journey. My name is Will, co-founder of bathing evolved and evolved elements. And I hope you have a great day Thanks