Humanity at risk?

Sounds pretty dramatic, but the fact is that if a species loses the ability to reproduce, it won’t last long. That’s what’s happening with the human species.

Male sperm counts across the developed world dropped by 50% during the period 1973 to 2011. The problem has most likely gotten worse since then. Human-made chemicals that disrupt our endocrine systems are to blame, writes Shana Swan, PhD, in her recent book “Count Down: How Our Modern World Is Threatening Sperm Counts, Altering Male and Female Reproductive Development, and Imperiling the Future of the Human Race.” She’s an environmental and reproductive epidemiologist who blames plastics, pesticides, stain repellents, personal hygiene products, and other chemicals for the decades-long decline in fertility.  Female reproductive capacity is also under assault.

Fertility issues can pass to the next generation, too. If your mother was exposed to pesticides while she was pregnant with you, you could have reduced fertility too.

Even if you have no plans to procreate, these chemicals cause deep harm to your health. The disruption of endocrine signaling that results from toxic environmental load inevitably affects all body systems.

What can you do about it?

• Buy organic produce.
• Microwave food in glass containers.
• Don’t store food in plastic.
• Check out the safety of your skin care and cosmetic products here.
• A systematic functional medicine analysis of your health will give you a plan to clean out some of the accumulated toxins in your body and build your body’s resilience to chemical assault.

Dr. Lavine has been an innovator in the use of movement and touch to promote health since 1981. He practices in New York City and Princeton, NJ.