Coronavirus and Hormones
Coronavirus and hormones – what’s the connection?
Hormones are chemical messengers that control all body functions including growth, energy production, blood sugar levels, brain development, and function of sex organs. It’s safe to say that our lives would be very different without hormones.
During the last several decades, scientists have shown that chemical exposures can disrupt hormones and lead to a variety of health problems. Some of these health problems, particularly obesity and diabetes, have become pressing global health care issues. Over 300 million people in the world have diabetes, and over 10% of the global population is obese.
As the coronavirus spread around the globe, physicians documented that people with diabetes or obesity are at higher risk of severe illness from the virus. Hormone disrupting chemicals linked to diabetes include bisphenol A, arsenic, phthalates, and PFAS (“forever chemicals”). Exposure to BPA, phthalates, pesticides, and PFAS has been linked to obesity.
CEH’s Toxics and Coronavirus factsheet has more detailed information about diabetes, obesity, and toxic exposures,
One solution to the coronavirus pandemic may be the development of effective vaccines. Vaccines depend on a strong healthy immune system in order to be effective, A series of scientific studies has shown that hormone disrupting PFAS reduce the effectiveness of vaccines.
CEH’s Toxics and Vaccine Effectiveness factsheet has more detailed information about PFAS exposure and vaccines.
Purchasing and using products free from these hormone disrupting chemicals helps to create a healthier future for all of us.
Fact Sheet
Toxics and Coronavirus Vaccine Effectiveness