An alarming recent study found a 50-60% decline in sperm count among men from North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand between 1973 and 2011. More research is urgently needed to find out the cause as soon as possible. What is causing this dramatic change and how will it impact men’s future longevity?
We can speculate on some of the possible environmental factors contributing to the decline. In today’s world, our population is exposed to estrogenic compounds that may disrupt functioning of normal hormones. Studies have shown an increase in male gynecomastia, where prepubescent boys develop slightly larger than normal breasts when they are exposed to compounds commonly seen in natural laundry cleaning products like tea tree oil and lavender essential oils. Simple products like these may contain endocrine disruptors that mimic the effects of estrogen in the body. Certain pesticides in farming have also been shown to be estrogenic and accumulate in plants and animals working their way into our diet. Natural estrogens are also present in some foods like soy.
The FDA has approved the use of use of hormones in cows raised for beef and sheep for lamb. Farmers and big meat companies may use growth-promoting estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone to increase weight of muscle, fat, and overall tissue. Organic meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones with reduced exposure to pesticide residues.
The FDA does not allow hormones to be used in poultry, veal calves, or pigs so next time you are at a restaurant, the chicken dish may be the best choice.
Even if you eat organic foods, many household products may expose you to estrogenic compounds like BPA, found in many plastic products, such as food containers, medical equipment and furnishings. BPA was banned in baby bottles by the FDA in 2012 and is being phased out of plastic packaging, but according to some experts the replacement for it may be just as harmful.
In view of this, it may be wise to limit use of plastic containers for your food and beverages, especially for heating which can cause more of the dangerous compounds to seep inside. It also makes sense to throw away water bottles that have been left in the heat of a car.
References
https://academic.oup.com/humupd/article-abstract/23/6/646/4035689?redirectedFrom=fulltext
http://www.businessinsider.com/no-hormones-chicken-poultry-usda-fda-2016-3
