Toxic chemicals found in common household products can affect every system in the body.

When the immune system is affected, it shows up as illnesses such as multiple chemical sensitivities and cancer.

When the endocrine system is affected, the results include thyroid dysfunction, reproductive problems (including infertility, low sex drive, impotence, and cancer of the reproductive organs), prostate enlargement, bladder incontinence, high blood pressure, inability to lose weight, gallbladder problems, hair loss, fatigue, insomnia, depression, and constipation. If you have any of these symptoms, Body Restoration Technique (BRT) may be able to help you.

The endocrine system

The endocrine system consists of hormones and glands.

The hormones are the body's chemical messengers. They transfer information and instructions from one set of cells to another. Many different hormones circulate throughout the bloodstream, each one communicating only the specific cells that are genetically programmed to receive and respond to its message. It's like a "purple" hormone will only communicate with "purple" cells.

Glands are groups of cells that produce and secrete chemicals to be used somewhere in the body. In order for a gland to secrete its chemicals, a hormone needs to come along and tell it that it's time for the release.

Glands have what are called "receptor sites." These are like locks; hormones and other molecules are like keys. The "keys" circulate through the body until they find the right "locks." When a hormone key is inserted into its correct receptor lock, a communication is made that regulates an essential body function.

Most of the functions of the body are triggered by the interaction between hormones and their receptor sites in the endocrine glands. All of the endocrine glands interact in chain reactions to make body functions happen. So if one is impaired, the entire system can be affected.

[For more on the endocrine system, see the simple version or the more detailed version.]

Endocrine disruptors

Endocrine disruptors are a specific group of chemicals--found in many common consumer products--that can mimic our natural hormones. These mimics are similar enough to our natural hormones that when they come circulating by, our receptor sites will allow them in. The problem is that the chemicals have the wrong message, or no message, and if they are already filling the receptor sites, the correct hormones can't connect and deliver their messages.

Though scientists have known about endocrine disruptors for more than a decade, only recently are the connections being made between these chemicals and their human health effects. Though I recovered from multiple chemical sensitivities many years ago, they were followed by ongoing thyroid problems, infertility, insomnia, fatigue, and problems losing weight. Attempts to improve these conditions by standard medical and alternative means were to no avail. Endocrine disruptors explain this whole constellation of symptoms.

These endocrine disruptors are some of the same chemicals that cause other health problems: pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, plastics, detergents, perfume, heavy metals (lead, mercury, cadmium), preservatives (including BHA, widely used because it doesn't have many known acute toxic effects), and others. Hormones in birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy, in our food supply, and even in natural foods such as soy* and other legumes can also alter our hormone connections.

Body Restoration Technique

Basically, BRT releases the specific toxic endocrine disruptors that are lodged in the endocrine glands, opening the receptor sites so that the hormone can once again communicate with the glands.

Treatments are simple, non-invasive procedures that change the body's energy field, like homeopathy or acupuncture.

I personally have been receiving BRT treatments. I am not yet through with the series, but have noticed significant improvement. Moreover, the whole concept of opening up the channels of communication in your body makes sense to me.

For more information, or to find a BRT practitioner, visit the Body Restoration Technique website.

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* I'm not saying here that one shouldn't eat a moderate amount of soy. However, excessive amounts of soy could disrupt hormones. Soy is being used in more and more products, however, and is a primary ingredient in the new low-carb foods. Read labels carefully and be aware of how much soy you consume.

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