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Endocrine Disruptors

Definition

Endocrine disruptors are chemicals or substances that interfere with the normal functioning of the endocrine system, which regulates hormones in the body. These disruptors can mimic or block hormones, leading to various health effects.

Analogy

Imagine your body as a symphony orchestra, and the endocrine system is the conductor. Endocrine disruptors are like rogue musicians who play out of tune or at the wrong time, disrupting the harmony and causing chaos in the performance.

Related terms

Hormones: Hormones are chemical messengers produced by glands in our bodies that regulate various bodily functions.

Estrogen Mimics: Estrogen mimics are endocrine disruptors that imitate estrogen, a hormone responsible for reproductive development and other physiological processes.

Developmental Disorders: Exposure to endocrine disruptors during critical periods of development can lead to developmental disorders such as impaired growth, cognitive deficits, and reproductive abnormalities.