Let’s talk about how inflammation affects your endocrine system—this includes your thyroid and your hormones. When chronic inflammation disrupts this system, it can show up as headaches, low mood, low libido, irregular or heavy periods, or difficulty building muscle.
One of the biggest culprits? Plastics. Avoid drinking or eating out of plastic containers whenever possible. Plastics act as xenoestrogens, meaning they mimic estrogen in the body. This can throw off your hormone balance, often leading to estrogen dominance—conditions like PMDD, PCOS, and even increased risk for breast cancer.
Pesticide-laden, non-organic foods can have a similar effect, and your gut plays a role too. Certain gut bacteria produce an enzyme called beta-glucuronidase, which can drive up the production of a more inflammatory type of estrogen called estrone. I routinely test for this in my patients, and when needed, I use targeted supplements like calcium D-glucarate (by Designs for Health) to help rebalance things.
