Pollutants in the environment contribute to body weight gain
The relationship between pollution and obesity
There are chemicals that can alter our metabolic structures, causing weight problems.
The correlation between environmental health and human health is something that affects all people everywhere on earth.
Worldwide there are about 2 billion adults and 40 million children under the age of 5 who are obese or overweight. More and more studies are advancing the hypothesis that factors such as pollution and the presence of chemicals in the environment may also be among the causes of this condition.
The more unhealthy the air is, the more the concentration of obesogens seems relevant.
What can happen to our metabolism in the presence of pollutants?
Some indoor pollutants, especially those found in cleaning products, cosmetics and building materials, can act as endocrine disruptors. These substances can alter the normal functioning of hormones, affecting metabolism, appetite and body fat distribution.
Exposure to indoor pollutants, such as fine particles (PM2.5) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), can lead to chronic inflammation that has been linked to increased risk of obesity and metabolic diseases.
In addition, pollutants can generate oxidative stress by damaging cells, adversely affecting metabolism and contributing to weight gain.
Exposure to pollutants can also alter the composition of the gut microbiota, the microorganisms that live in our intestines and play a crucial role in metabolism and body weight regulation.
Numerous studies and research have been conducted to analyze this correlation.
The study published by Diabets Care
Research published by Diabetes Care analyzes the relationship between pollutants-such as high levels of particulate matter-and obesity in women.
According to this research by a group of researchers at the University of Michigan, women exposed to pollutants for a long time, especially high levels of particulate matter, would experience an increase in body weight and body composition measures.
The data come from a sample of 1,654 women of different nationalities included in the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation. The women, whose average age was 50 years, were followed between 2000 and 2008, and their annual exposure to environmental pollutants was assessed on the basis of their residential address.
The results showed that exposure to environmental pollutants could be linked to a higher amount of body fat and a lower amount of lean body mass.
The study published by Biochemical Pharmacology
A 2020 study compiled the results of 15 studies, finding a significant link between pollutant levels and obesity in 12 of them.
More than 40 scientists collected evidence related to 1,400 studies in which one aspect is clearly specified: these substances called obesogens can be anywhere.
n water, dust, food packaging, personal hygiene products and household cleaners, furniture, electronics, plastics, pesticides, paints.
Children are most at risk
The more polluted the air, the higher the concentration of these substances will be.
And while it is not good for anyone to ingest or come into contact with these substances, those who should be most protected from contact with obesogens are children.
In a study published in Biochemical Pharmacology, the focus is on the correlation between environmental pollutants and health in early childhood-a time of life when the body is most vulnerable and receptive.
The risk is to irreversibly alter certain functions of the metabolic system.
Radoff Solution
While research is still ongoing, there is sufficient evidence to suggest that indoor pollutants can have a negative impact on body weight and metabolic health. The first step in taking preventive measures is to start being concerned about the quality of the air we breathe in order to promote overall well-being and prevent unwanted weight gain.
Learn about the quality of the air you breathe in your daily living spaces together with Radoff products: