With Father’s Day just around the corner I thought this is the perfect time to share some vital information about men’s health so that you can give your fathers, brothers and sons the gift of health this Father’s Day.

There is a lot of talk at the moment in relation to the topic of endocrine disrupting chemicals. More and more research is being released as to the harmful effects of these chemicals.

To understand the implications of using products that contain endocrine disrupting chemicals we first need to understand what the endocrine system is and why it is so important to healthy functioning of the body.

What is the endocrine system and why is it so important?

The endocrine system is one of the body’s main communication networks and is responsible for coordinating numerous body functions.

Hormones are first produced by the endocrine tissues, such as the ovaries, testes, adrenal, pituitary, thyroid, and pancreas, and then secreted into the blood to act as the body’s chemical messengers where they direct communication and coordination among other tissues throughout the body.

For example, hormones work with the nervous system, reproductive system, kidneys, gut, liver, and fat to help maintain and control:

• Body energy levels
• Reproduction
• Growth and development
• Internal balance of body systems, or homeostasis
• Response to surroundings, stress, and injury

Research is now showing that endocrine disrupting chemicals are interfering with the body’s own hormone signals because of their structure and activity and they are interfering in particular in men in the following way:

• Reduction in male fertility and decline in the number of males being born. Large proportions (up to 40%) of young men in some countries have low semen quality, which reduces their ability to father children
• The incidence of genital malformations, such as non-descending testes (cryptorchidisms) and penile malformations (hypospadias), in baby boys has increased over time or levelled off at unfavourably high rates
• Neurobehavioural disorders associated with thyroid disruption affect a high proportion of society
• Global rates of endocrine-related cancers (breast, endometrial, ovarian, prostate, testicular and thyroid) have been increasing over the past 40–50 years
• Increase in male breast growth

One of the main culprits is the additive to most conventional products; this additive is called “fragrance”.

Fragrance is what we call a “cluster” ingredient and by that we mean it is a group of chemicals and according to the EWG (Environmental Working Group) “fragrance” as listed on conventional products can contain up to 4000 chemicals just in that one ingredient, yet those individual chemicals are not required to be listed on the labels.

Dr Carole Hungerford who spoke at the Gawler Institute in Melbourne 2013 stated, “Fragrance is the number one gender bender”.

The phthalates among other ingredients are known endocrine disruptors and mimic our hormones and the challenge is that our delicate hormonal system is drastically impacted by even the smallest amount of these chemicals.

Endocrine disrupting chemicals are found in almost all conventional products (deodorants, shampoos, conditioners, body wash, toothpastes, mouthwash, shaving gel, body cream, hair styling creams and gels, etc).

It is as equally important for men not to use products containing these nasty ingredients as it is for women as per the reasons above.

The only way to avoid endocrine disrupting chemicals as well as obesogens and absorption enhancers that are also commonly found in conventional products is to use only certified organic products.

Certified organic is your only guarantee that a product or food product is safe.

At Divine By Therese Kerr we have a deodorant that is unisex and certified through Australian Certified Organic (ACO) and is 95% certified organic (it would be higher except some of the ingredients like water, Celtic sea salt, bi-carb aren’t able to be certified organic).

We are releasing a personal care pack especially for men and it will contain a certified organic Shaving Gel, a Male specific deodorant (not antiperspirant as no one should ever use an antiperspirant) and a certified organic cake of soap and we can’t wait to share it with the males of this world.

All of the other Divine By Therese Kerr products (Moisturising Hand Wash, Moisturising Hand and Body Lotion, Tooth Mousse, Mouth Rinse, Fresh Breath, Sanitising Hand Gel and Deodorant) are non gender specific and we recommend men change over to them sooner than later if they wish to avoid the aforementioned challenges in their health. We also have a Special Father’s Day Gift Pack to help get the chemical out of your man’s life.

To find out more click here and join our Educated, Empowered and Chemical-Free and VIP Programs. We share the most up to date research with you from experts around the world and we look forward to sharing some more information with you through Mouths of Mums.