Hormones
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Hormones are powerful
substances. They pack a big wallop considering the tiny amounts that are produced by the endocrine
glands. Most hormones, such as estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, insulin, and melatonin, are made in
parts per billion or parts per trillion. Even small hormonal fluctuations can create major physiological
changes. As profound orchestrators of all of life's processes, maintaining hormonal balance is imperative
for optimum health. When delicate hormonal balance and rhythms are altered, the body's ability to regulate
fundamental systems goes haywire. |
Hormone Disrupter Overlooked
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Our modern lifestyle
poses many threats to optimal endocrine function. Stress, toxicity, poor quality food, lack of sleep, and
pharmaceutical medications are all known hormone disruptors.
However, there is one particular kind of
hormone disruptor that is often the most overlooked: electromagnetic energy fields
generated from cellphones and a variety of electrical
sources and devices. |
Electromagnetic Fields - The 21st Century Smog
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Modern physics has confirmed what
Eastern philosophy has been based upon for thousands of years - the human body is fundamentally a coherent, highly
sensitive electrical system, emanating its own electromagnetic field, known as a biofield. All physical
matter, including the earth itself, radiates elec-tromagnetic energy. The electromagnetic frequencies (EMFs)
found within the natural world are harmonious with and supportive of life.
On the other hand, artificially
created EMFs are 100-200 million times greater than what existed just two generations ago. Every minute of
every day, whether we are awake or asleep, we are exposed to a constant barrage of man-made electromagnetic
frequencies. Constant interference with our natural energy fields from external sources of EMFs can
eventually damage our own fields, resulting in many physiological imbalances, most notably the hardening of the
cell membrane. When this happens, waste products can't get out and nutrients can't get in. This leads to
free radical damage that alters the DNA and causes cell mutation. |
Such serious imbalances will also
adversely impact hormone production and neurological processes. This massive infusion of artificial energy
overwhelms the system and leads to more rapid aging, elevated blood glucose levels, elevated lipid levels, high
blood pressure, increased neuro-regulatory disturbances, and it compromises the central nervous, cardiovascular
and immune systems.
Robert 0. Becker; M.D., researcher and
author of "Cross Currents: The Perils of Electropollution", explains that our bodies and immune systems
are being adversely affected by man-made electromagnetic fields from sources that include power lines, cellphones,
radar, microwaves, satellites, ham radios, computers, video display terminals, electric appliances, and Wi-Fi hot
spots. He believes that radiation, once considered safe, is now correlated with increases in cancer; birth
defects, depression, learning disabilities, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Alzheimer's disease. |
Melatonin, Cancers & EMFs
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Perhaps, one of the most serious
consequences of EMFs exposure is its effects on our hormonal systems. The pineal gland is a light-sensitive
gland about the size of a pea located deep within the center of the brain. Once dismissed as a useless
gland, it is now considered to be perhaps the most important gland in the body. The pineal gland produces
the hormone melatonin.
Researchers are increasingly
surprised at the extent of the physiological processes that are either controlled or influenced by melatonin: it
regulates our circadian rhythms (governing our waking/sleep cycle), and it is one of the most efficient destroyers
of free radicals, thereby allowing DNA synthesis and cell division to occur. Melatonin not only inhibits the
release of estrogen but also actually suppresses the development of breast cancer. Melatonin's other
anti-cancer property is its ability to increase the cytotoxicity of the immune system's killer lymphocytes.
It is even able to enhance the immune system and counteract stress-induced immunosuppression. |
In 2001, Masami Ishido, at Japan's
National Institute for Environmental Studies, showed that breast cancer cells treated with melatonin would resume
growing when exposed to power-frequency EMFs. He found that magnetic fields disrupt the cells' signaling
system, their internal communications network, which determines how they respond to their environment.
This mechanism has helped to explain
why reduced melatonin levels from EMFs have shown to cause a number of cancers, including breast cancer, prostate
cancer, melanoma, and ovarian malignancies.
It is now known that melatonin
suppression occurs at frequencies not far above those of the common household ranges of 50-60 Hz. If we
sleep next to a cordless phone base station or a digital clock, or we have faulty electrical wiring, enough
continuous EMF exposures are emitted to suppress nighttime melatonin production. |
Breast Cancer & EMFs
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The correlation between breast cancer
and EMFs continues to strengthen. Dr. Patricia Coogan, at the Boston University of Public Health, reported a
43 percent increased risk in women with a high likelihood of occupational exposure to magnetic fields such as
those given off by mainframe computers. In fact, women who work in electrical jobs, including electricians,
tele-phone installers, powerline workers, and electrical engineers, have a greater risk of dying from breast
cancer. |
This increased incidence has been
directly linked to the suppression of melatonin from EMFs.
But it's not just women who should be
concerned about EMFs' causal link to breast cancer. In five studies, elevated EMFs have been implicated in
an increased incidence of male breast cancer. Men who worked as telephone linemen, in switching stations, or
in the utilities industry were found to have as much as a sixfold increase in breast cancer. |
More Hormone Disruption
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Experimental physiologist, Charles
Graham conducted research that found that magnetic fields had an effect on two other hormones: they increased
estrogen levels and reduced testosterone, a risk factor for testicular and prostate cancer. He also believes
that EMFs may actually fit the definition of an endocrine disrupter better than many hormone-mimicking
environmental pollutants because magnetic fields appear to elicit their effects by acting on and through hormones
rather than as hormones.
Tamoxifen, the most popular drug
given to prevent recurrence of breast cancer, lost its ability to halt the proliferation of cancer cells when
exposed to EMFs. The level of EMFs that produced this effect (12mG) is found in common sources, including
hair dryers, vacuum cleaners, or appliances with large motors, such as refrigerators. |
Neurotransmitters, a special
class of hormones, include serotonin and dopamine. Neurotransmitters play a major role in moods, especially
depression. Evidence has now shown a link between EMF exposure and altered serotonin and dopamine levels.
EMFs also increase the levels of
adrenaline, the flight or fight hormone, released from the adrenal glands. B. Blake Levitt, author of
"Electrical Fields", states: "Prolonged chronic stress is detrimental to every anatomical system,
including the reproductive one. Subliminal stress may affect fertility and elevate blood pressure, which can
lead to heart disease and strokes, as well as suppressed immune function. … Even short EMF exposures, like the
use of a cordless phone on and off throughout the day, could cause spikes in such hormone levels." |
What About Cellphones?
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Cellphones present a double whammy to
our body.
The microwave energy which radiates
in a circular plume about 6-8 inches from the cellphone's antenna, penetrates directly into our brain, breaking
down the protective blood brain barrier and causing DNA damage, free radical production and even brain tumors.
Since the master glands of the body
are located in our brain, massive disturbances to the hormonal signaling capacities may be generated from
continual cellphone use.
Then there's the electrical circuitry
from cellphones, which generates a competing energy that interferes with one's own biofield, or energy
field. This kind of pervasive, or ambient, EMF compromises many physiological processes. |
When a cellphone is clipped onto the
belt or kept in a pant pocket, this ambient field most powerfully affects the tissues and organs it is closest to,
particularly the pelvic area.
One study has already shown a 30%
reduction in sperm count of mobile phone users.
As more women clip their cellphone to
their belts, female reproductive organs may also be at risk.
A word of caution also needs to be
mentioned about the dangers caused by ambient radiation from headsets. It is now acknowledged that headsets,
far from being protective, can actually increase radiation exposure into the brain by as much as 300%.
Bluetooth technology is especially dangerous. |
Solutions --- One, Two, Three
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Protection from EMFs, whatever the
source, involves a three-tiered approach. Ideally, all three layers of prevention should be utilized.
The primary intervention is to reduce
exposure as much as possible. One excellent alternative is to use a safe, hollow air-tube headset when using
a cellphone.
The secondary intervention is to
minimize the effect of radiation. Biopro Technology is a company with proprietary proven technologies to
address EMF pollution. One solution, the BioPro Harmonization chip, effectively "harmonizes" the
stressful EMFs from cellphones. The BioPro Biolife pendant is also recommended to balance or strengthen
one's biofield. |
The third intervention is directed at
strengthening the body systems. This is where a healthy, organic diet and balanced lifestyle is imperative.
In addition, antioxidant supplements
improve the immune system and fight against free radical damage. Some of the most effective include
melatonin, N-Acetylcysteine (NAc), SAMe, lipoic acid, green tea, lycopene, coenzyme Qio, acetyl-L-carnitine,
selenium, and vitamins A, C and E. Ginkgo biloba is the first supplement to be tested against cellphone
radiation. Pretreatment with this brain-protective supplement reversed cellphone-induced oxidative stress
and depletion of antioxidant enzymes in rodents. Resveratrol and grape seed extract both protect against the
type of oxidative stress induced by cellphones. |
Our responsibility in an electronic age
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Love them or hate them, cellphones, and the ever expanding and
intrusive EMF world are here to stay. The responsibility lies with each of us to take proactive steps that
will protect us, our family and future generations. |
About the author
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| Sherrill Sellman, ND, is a naturopath, psychotherapist,
international lecturer and women's health advocate, as well as the author of "Hormone Heresy: What Women MUST
Know About Their Hormones". |
Her website www.ssellman.com. |
For a PDF file version of this article to print and show or send to others
click - Hormones_BreastCancer_Cellphones_EMF.pdf
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