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Endocrine-disrupting chemicals, also known as EDCs, are natural or human-made substances that interfere with the healthy functioning of the body’s endocrine system. The endocrine system is made up of glands throughout the body, along with the hormones that these glands produce and receptors that respond to the hormones. Endocrine glands include the pituitary, thymus, pancreas and adrenals. Hormones act like messengers, traveling through the body to deliver instructions that control biological processes ranging from growth and development to sleep, digestion and childbirth. Humans have more than 50 hormones. These include estrogen and testosterone, which help to control sexual development, as...

Prostaglandin, a potent bone-resorbing agent, is synthesized in osteoblast-like cells. Since vitamin K reportedly plays an important role in (viscosity, clotting &) bone metabolism, we investigated the effects of vitamin K2 (menatetrenone) on PGE2 production by human osteoblast-like periosteal cells. In cells incubated with menatetrenone (1 microgram/mL = 2.25 x 10(-6) M) for 2 days, PGE2 production was reduced to 50% of that in untreated control cells. In one of these menatetrenone at doses of 0.5-10 micrograms/mL dose dependently inhibited the calcium ionophore A23187-induced release of arachidonic acid (AA) from membrane phospholipids, and in the other the conversion of AA...

Exposures of pregnant women and children to common thyroid-hormone-disrupting toxins may be linked to the increased incidence of brain development disorders, according to a review published in Endocrine Connections. The review describes how numerous, common chemicals can interfere with normal thyroid hormone actions, which are essential for normal brain development in foetuses and young children, and suggests a need for greater public health intervention. We have reviewed the documented exposures of pregnant women and children to mixtures of thyroid-hormone-disrupting chemicals and propose that the data sets provide a plausible link to the recent increased incidence of neurodevelopmental conditions, including autism...

Endocrine System Evolution: A Textbook Example? by Frank Sherwin, M.A. * A student of zoology would be surprised to learn that, although researchers know much about the function of our endocrine system, they know essentially nothing about its supposed evolution.1 The creationist sees the incredible detail of the living world as part of God’s plan, purpose, and special design. Indeed, the various systems (e.g., digestive, muscular, circulatory, endocrine, etc.) of the human body working together is called homoeostasis, meaning the body is designed to maintain itself in a state of stable, healthy equilibrium. The endocrine system is a complex arrangement...

Sorry to bother everyone with vanity post. Two weeks ago I started on Metformin, a drug used to control sugar. My doctor told me I am close to having diabetes, if I do not already have it. I wanted to hear about your experiences when you found out you had diabetes, the symptoms and how you live your life now. (diet, exercise, drinking) I appreciate your input. I have no clue what to do, what to eat,when to eat. Going to endocrinologist next week. Thanks

Scientists have linked exposure to small levels of a chemical found in public drinking water supplies in 26 states to suppressed thyroid function in more than a third of women and girls 12 and older.     The exposure to perchlorate, a study showed, was most acute in women with low levels of iodine in their systems, said Dr. James L. Pirkle, director of sciences in the federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention's Environmental Health laboratory and the study's author.     "It's already been known that high levels of exposure to perchlorate [reduce] thyroid function, but this large study of more...