Skip to content
Call: 303-993-7910400 S. McCaslin Blvd, Suite 210, Louisville, Colorado 80027 | Get DirectionsFor Practitioners
Facebook page opens in new windowTwitter page opens in new windowPinterest page opens in new windowInstagram page opens in new windowYouTube page opens in new windowLinkedin page opens in new windowRss page opens in new window
Dr. Jill Carnahan, MD
Your Functional Medicine Expert!
Dr. Jill Carnahan, MDDr. Jill Carnahan, MD

Flatiron Functional Medicine Newsletter

Join Dr. Jills' health community today and receive health tips, recipes and recommended products for a healthier you!
Join today and get Dr. Jill's Paleo-licious Snack Ideas for free! We promise never to share your email with anyone.
  • HOME
  • MY STORY
  • ABOUT
    • About Us
    • What is Functional Medicine?
    • Mission Statement
    • Meet Dr. Jill C. Carnahan, MD, ABIHM, IFMCP
    • Meet Crystal Crowley, MS, PA-C, IFMCP
    • Meet The Team
    • Location
    • Fees
    • FAQs
    • Forms
    • Testimonials
    • For Practitioners
  • SERVICES
    • Services
    • Functional Medicine Consulting with Dr. Jill
    • Functional Medicine Consultation with Crystal Crowley, MS, PA-C, IFMCP
    • Naturopathic Consulting with Dr. Nicole
    • Massage Therapy with Rene
    • Nutritional Consulting with Judy
    • Nutritional Consulting with Megan
    • Chiropractic Care with Dr. JoEllen
    • Nutrition therapy and Private Yoga with Haley
    • Infrared Sauna Detox Therapy
    • IV Infusion Therapy
  • RECIPES
  • PRESS KIT
  • EVENTS
  • VIDEO/AUDIO
  • BLOG
    • Dr. Jill’s Blog
    • Dr. Jill’s Recipes
    • Dr. Jill’s Facebook
    • Dr. Jill’s Instagram
    • Dr. Jill on LinkedIn
    • Flatiron Functional Medicine on LinkedIn
  • ONLINE STORE
    • Online Store
    • Products We Love
  • CONTACT
  • HOME
  • MY STORY
  • ABOUT
    • About Us
    • What is Functional Medicine?
    • Mission Statement
    • Meet Dr. Jill C. Carnahan, MD, ABIHM, IFMCP
    • Meet Crystal Crowley, MS, PA-C, IFMCP
    • Meet The Team
    • Location
    • Fees
    • FAQs
    • Forms
    • Testimonials
    • For Practitioners
  • SERVICES
    • Services
    • Functional Medicine Consulting with Dr. Jill
    • Functional Medicine Consultation with Crystal Crowley, MS, PA-C, IFMCP
    • Naturopathic Consulting with Dr. Nicole
    • Massage Therapy with Rene
    • Nutritional Consulting with Judy
    • Nutritional Consulting with Megan
    • Chiropractic Care with Dr. JoEllen
    • Nutrition therapy and Private Yoga with Haley
    • Infrared Sauna Detox Therapy
    • IV Infusion Therapy
  • RECIPES
  • PRESS KIT
  • EVENTS
  • VIDEO/AUDIO
  • BLOG
    • Dr. Jill’s Blog
    • Dr. Jill’s Recipes
    • Dr. Jill’s Facebook
    • Dr. Jill’s Instagram
    • Dr. Jill on LinkedIn
    • Flatiron Functional Medicine on LinkedIn
  • ONLINE STORE
    • Online Store
    • Products We Love
  • CONTACT

Are Pollutants Causing Heart Disease and Type 2 Diabetes? The Link Between Persistent Organic Pollutants and Metabolic Syndrome

You are here:
  1. Home
  2. Adrenal Health
  3. Are Pollutants Causing Heart Disease…
Pollutants

The incidence of obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) have increased dramatically since the 1980s. In the United States, nearly 40 percent of the adult population is estimated to be obese,1 and 30 million Americans have diabetes, a vast majority (90 to 95 percent) of whom have type 2 diabetes.2 In addition to increasing the risk of premature death, obesity and type 2 diabetes can lead to major complications such as heart disease, asthma, and blindness. 

We’ve all been told that poor diet and lack of exercise are the major contributors to obesity and diabetes. But some researchers say they alone cannot explain the dramatic rise of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in the Western world, a cluster of risk factors — such as obesity and high blood pressure — that occur together and increase the risk of certain diseases like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, etc. 

So, if lack of exercise and unhealthy diet don’t explain the whole story, what does? In this article, we’ll find out why some researchers suggest that exposure to environmental pollutants are a major contributing factor to metabolic syndrome. 

 

What is Metabolic Syndrome?

You may have heard the term “metabolic syndrome” before and wondered, “What exactly is it, and is it a disease?” Before we go any further, let’s briefly discuss the differences between a disease and a syndrome. 

Generally, the term “disease” refers to a pathophysiological response to a causative agent(s) or process(es) that have been identified with a high degree of certainty. The course of a disease is usually well described as are its symptoms, treatment, prognosis.

A syndrome is less straightforward. A syndrome is a collection of on-going symptoms and physical findings that are often seen together and indicate a specific condition. However, a syndrome does not necessarily have an identified direct cause. For example, signs and symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) include irregular periods, excess facial and body hair, severe acne, and polycystic ovaries. Some women may only experience a couple of these symptoms, but they are all recognized as being associated with PCOS. 

When it comes to MetS, your doctor isn’t looking so much for visible signs and symptoms, as most metabolic risk factors (other than obesity) don’t have any. Instead, in addition to a large waistline, they look for:

  • A high level of triglycerides (a type of fat found in the blood)
  • A low level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (also known as the “good” cholesterol)
  • High blood pressure
  • High fasting blood sugar levels (an early sign of diabetes)

Looking at the list of risk factors for MetS, you may think that you can control some of its causes by eating healthy and exercising regularly. And genetics are certainly a contributing factor. But even with exercise, diet, and genetics considered, they still can’t explain the explosion in the incidence of obesity and metabolic diseases. 

This view is far too simplistic. 

But thanks to a growing body of research, there is now evidence that certain environmental pollutants — known as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) — contribute to the development of metabolic syndrome. 

 

Persistent Organic Pollutants

POPs are synthetic organic chemical substances that are mainly used as pesticides or created by industrial activities, either intentionally or as byproducts. Once released into the environment, they can:

  • Remain in the environment for long periods of time. It could take some of them decennia or centuries to be degraded.
  • Be widely distributed throughout the environment through natural processes involving soil, water, and air. This leads to global pollution. 
  • Have a tendency to accumulate in fatty tissue. This affinity means that POPs could eventually achieve toxic concentrations in the body. This property is also why POPs are found at higher concentrations as you go up the food chain. 
  • Be toxic to humans and wildlife.

The Stockholm Convention, a global environmental treaty signed in 2001 with the aim of protecting human health and the environment by eliminating or restricting the use of POPs, currently recognizes 26 of them:3

Aldrin Chlordane Chlordecone
Decabromodiphenyl ether Dieldrin Endrin
Heptachlor Hexabromobiphenyl Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD)
Hexabromodiphenyl ether Heptabromodiphenyl ether Hexachlorobenzene (HCB)
Hexachlorobutadiene Alpha hexachlorocyclohexane Beta hexachlorocyclohexane
Lindane Mirex Pentachlorobenzene
Pentachlorophenol and its salts and esters Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) Polychlorinated naphthalenes
Short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) Technical endosulfan and its related isomers Tetrabromodiphenyl ether
Pentabromodiphenyl ether Toxaphene

 

POPs are omnipresent in our food products, and naturally, they’ve been linked with serious health risks in humans and animals. They’ve also been measured in biological samples, such as blood, breast milk, and body fat in humans. Initially, it was thought that their negative effects were limited to reproductive function and carcinogenicity, but researchers are now finding that people with diabetes and other metabolic diseases commonly have increased body burden of POPs. 

 

Type 2 Diabetes and Persistent Organic Pollutants

Type 2 diabetes (T2D), also commonly referred to as adult-onset diabetes, accounts for approximately 90 to 95 percent of people with diabetes.4 The disease is increasingly being recognized as a heterogeneous condition, ranging from predominantly insulin resistance with relative insulin deficiency to predominantly an insulin secretory defect with insulin resistance.4 And this could be an important distinction when evaluating the effect of POPs on patients with T2D.

While obesity is a major risk factor for insulin resistance-dominant subtype of T2D, this association is weak when the disease is preceded by beta-cell dysfunction, the cells in the pancreas responsible for insulin secretion.5 And while genetics play a key role in beta-cell function, environmental chemicals like POPs have been shown to impair metabolic homeostasis and decrease insulin secretion.6,7,8 POPs can also induce insulin resistance; however, in human studies, they were more strongly linked to beta-cell dysfunction even at very low doses such as 1 pmol/L.7 

But dealing with POPs is not so simple. Obesity can lead to the release POPs from fatty tissue into the bloodstream through uncontrolled breakdown of fat. Ironically, weight loss can also increase POPs concentrations in the blood.

This means that while weight loss could improve metabolic risks, the toxicity of POPs can have an adverse impact. Also, intensive lifestyle intervention focused on weight loss have not been shown to be effective at reducing the rate of heart disease in overweight or obese adults with T2D.9 Further complicating matters is the finding that weight gain can reduce the concentration of POPs in circulation by sequestering POPs into fatty tissue. 

Still, there is an important distinction to be made on this issue. The liberation of POPs through breakdown of fat in obese persons is chronic and subtle. On the other hand, their release during weight loss is temporary and large. In the long run, the chronic release in small amounts of toxicants can do more harm. Also, any possible negative effects of POPs could be mitigated by the increase in exercise and dietary changes that accompany intentional weight loss, both of which can increase elimination of POPs.10,11,12

 

How Worried Should You Be About Persistent Organic Pollutants?

It’s a well-known fact that we live in a highly toxic world. You may not have even been surprised to learn that exposure to toxic agents like certain pesticides could lead to T2D and other metabolic diseases. It’s highly recommended that you exercise caution and work with a functional medicine specialist when trying to detoxify your body of POPs. Your safety needs to be carefully evaluated prior to starting any type of treatment as the release of POPs into circulation can affect the brain. 

However, some researchers believe that healthy lifestyles can reverse functional damage caused by POPs. I’ve put together a thorough guideline with more detail to help you through the process of reducing your toxin exposure. You can find that here: Reduce Your Daily Toxin Exposure. I also highly recommend Metabolic Synergy, a supplement specially designed to help you gain control of your blood sugar and insulin levels to reduce your risk of developing metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. The ingredients in Metabolic Synergy provide nutrients for mitochondria, the powerhouse of the cell and a key player in the process of aging and development of many diseases.

 

Now it’s time to hear from you. Are you surprised to learn about the connection between POPs and metabolic syndrome? What steps do you take to detoxify your body of pollutants and other toxic substances? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!

 

References:

  1. https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html
  2. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/type2.html
  3. http://chm.pops.int/TheConvention/ThePOPs/ListingofPOPs/tabid/2509/Default.aspx
  4. https://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/37/Supplement_1/S81
  5. https://academic.oup.com/aje/article/177/12/1418/98885
  6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4255114/
  7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?Db=pubmed&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=18560802
  8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5132629/
  9. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa1212914
  10. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2018.00712/full
  11. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?Db=pubmed&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=27911986
  12. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?Db=pubmed&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=29126094

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The product mentioned in this article are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.   The information in this article is not intended to replace any recommendations or relationship with your physician.  Please review references sited at end of article for scientific support of any claims made.

Categories: Adrenal Health, Allergies, Autoimmune Health, Brain Health, Environmental Toxicity, Gut Health, Heart Health, Hormones, Mold ExposureBy Dr. Jill C. Carnahan, MD, ABIHM, IFMCPOctober 25, 20193 Comments
Tags: detox your bodydiabetesheart diseasemetabolic syndromeOrganic PollutantsPersistent Organic PollutantspollutantsPOPPOPs and metabolic syndrometoxinstype 2 diabetes
Share this post
Share on FacebookShare on Facebook TweetShare on Twitter Pin itShare on Pinterest Share on WhatsAppShare on WhatsApp Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

Author: Dr. Jill C. Carnahan, MD, ABIHM, IFMCP

https://www.jillcarnahan.com/

Dr. Jill is Your Functional Medicine Expert! She uses functional medicine to help you find answers to the cause of your illness and addresses the biochemical imbalances that may be making you feel ill. She'll help you search for underlying triggers contributing to your illness through cutting edge lab testing and tailor the intervention to your specific needs as an individual. She may use diet, supplements, lifestyle changes or medication to treat your illness but will seek the most gentle way to help your body restore balance along with the least invasive treatment possible. Dr. Jill is a functional medicine expert consultant and treats environmental and mold-related illness as well

Post navigation

PreviousPrevious post:Quinoa Chili In A Pumpkin CauldronNextNext post:Is IV Vitamin Therapy Simply a Fad? Or is It Here to Stay?

Related posts

Butyrate
Butyrate: The Health Benefits of This Mighty Molecule and How to Get More of It
May 20, 2022
coffee
Can Coffee Help You Live Longer? The Remarkable Health Benefits of Coffee
May 12, 2022
Autism
Mycotoxins and Mold: Could this be A Missing Puzzle Piece in Understanding Autism?
April 28, 2022
Trimethylamine
Trimethylamine N-Oxide (TMAO): How Does This Molecule Fit Into Your Health and Diet?
April 1, 2022
alkaline phosphatase, liver enzymes
Low Alkaline Phosphatase? What Causes This Deficiency and How to Restore Balance
March 31, 2022
PFAS
PFAS: Why They’ve Been Dubbed “Forever Chemicals” and How You Can Protect Yourself
March 24, 2022

3 Comments

  1. Cassandra Hope says:
    October 26, 2019 at 7:18 pm

    i’m not surprised but i am feeling like i need to find an FMP in my area who can help my clients assess and detox POPs. i’m a nutritionist and personal trainer in toronto and specialize in gut/brain health and holistic weight loss. i’ve drained handful of clients who would plateau at a weight that was still u healthy for them; they felt they still had far to go yet their bodies wouldn’t budge/let go. i’d love to know how i can possibly assess my clients so to show them data and explain some options for them. thanks for the article dr jill, i love your blog!

    Reply
  2. Pingback: Traveling Across the Country? Here are 6 Ways to Hack Jet Lag - Jill Carnahan, MD
  3. Pingback: 6 Ways to Hack Jet Lag |

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Post comment

Search
Dr. Jill
Dr. Jill will help you search for underlying triggers contributing to your illness through cutting edge lab testing and tailor the intervention to your specific needs as an individual.
  • Address:
    400 S. McCaslin Blvd, Suite 210, Louisville, Colorado 80027
  • Get Directions
  • Phone:
    (303) 993-7910
  • Fax:
    (303) 993-4674
  • Specialty
    Functional Medicine Expert Trained in Family Medicine Board Certified Trained in Integrative Holistic Medicine

Find us on:

Facebook page opens in new windowTwitter page opens in new windowYouTube page opens in new windowRss page opens in new windowLinkedin page opens in new windowPinterest page opens in new windowInstagram page opens in new window
Testimonials

I certainly understand how Dr. Jill got so popular! Love watching her very interesting videos on the site and have signed up for the newsletter. She exudes such an air of competence, authenticity, intelligence and humility!

Karin
Karin

Good day Jill, you Motivated me very much. In the Last years, I prepared to become a registered German Naturopath (Heilpraktiker). The webinars of Functional Medicine Practitioners I attended as often as I could. Best wishes from Europe.

Norbert
Norbert

In my many years and many experiences with doctors… you guys have them beat, hands down. You guys are great.

Jessica Hull
Jessica Hull

I just wanted to thank Dr. Carnahan and all the staff for a wonderful visit. What a great experience from start to finish. Of course, Dr. Carnahan is the icing on the cake! (Hmmm …need a healthier analogy) Anyway, I’m feeling excited optimistic, and hopeful after all these years of being sick. Again my thanks and blessings to you all. Warmly, Roberta

Roberta
Roberta

I just wanted to send a quick thank you for your time and advice today. I am so appreciative and I feel hopeful that the plan we have can really help me. I’ve been sick for a long time and recently I’ve been rather discouraged with where I’m at with my health. I believe that God has allowed our paths to cross and that He is going to use you help restore my body to health. Thank you for giving me hope. Blessings, Kara

Kara
Kara

I wanted to let you know you did an outstanding job at this past weekend at the IFM {Reversing Cognitive Decline} conference. I appreciate you sharing your personal health journey. You are a true inspiration!

Ronald Grisanti
Dr. Ronald GrisantiBoard Certified Chiropractic Orthopedist
Facebook
Jill Carnahan, MD
Functional Medicine Newsletter
Join Dr. Jills' health community today and receive health tips, recipes and recommended products for a healthier you!
Join today and get Dr. Jill's Paleo-licious Snack Ideas for free! We promise never to share your email with anyone.
Dr. Jill
Dr. Jill will help you search for underlying triggers contributing to your illness through cutting edge lab testing and tailor the intervention to your specific needs as an individual.
  • Address:
    400 S. McCaslin Blvd, Suite 210, Louisville, Colorado 80027
  • Phone:
    (303) 993-7910
  • Fax:
    (303) 993-4674

Find us on:

Facebook page opens in new windowTwitter page opens in new windowYouTube page opens in new windowRss page opens in new windowLinkedin page opens in new windowPinterest page opens in new windowInstagram page opens in new window
Latest Tweets
  • Jim LaValle : Dr. Jill LIVE! Interview https://t.co/6FlSnwwKiD via @FacebookWatch8 days ago
  • Erin Pheil: Dr. Jill LIVE! Interview https://t.co/tIh4qer14V via @FacebookWatch8 days ago
  • Hope for MOLD: Dr. Jill LIVE! Interview https://t.co/2mvyZeC0o4 via @FacebookWatch13 days ago
Facebook
Jill Carnahan, MD
Dr. Jill Carnahan, MD

© 2022 Jill Carnahan. All Rights Reserved | Site by Yakadanda  | FAQS | Disclaimer | Financial Policy | Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions

| Dr. Jill works as a functional medicine consultant in conjunction with your current health care team and is not considered a replacement for your primary care physician. She requires all new patients to have a primary care physician to cover emergencies and routine care and screening.

Go to Top
Flatiron Functional Medicine Newsletter
Join Dr. Jills' health community today and receive health tips, recipes and recommended products for a healthier you!
Join today and get Dr. Jill's Paleo-licious Snack Ideas for free! We promise never to share your email with anyone.
Flatiron Functional Medicine Newsletter
Thanks for Joining Me in the Microbiome Summit. Get Your Free Download Here
Join new and get your free copy of Paleolicious Snack Ideas. We promise never to share your email with anyone.
Flatiron Functional Medicine Newsletter
Join Dr. Jills' health community today and get SEVEN FREE health downloads
Join today and get Dr. Jill's Paleo-licious Snack Ideas for free! We promise never to share your email with anyone.
Functional Medicine Newsletter
Join Dr. Jills' health community today and receive health tips, recipes and recommended products for a healthier you!
Join today and get Dr. Jill's Paleo-licious Snack Ideas for free! We promise never to share your email with anyone.
Flatiron Functional Medicine Newsletter
Join Dr. Jills' health community today and receive health tips, recipes and recommended products for a healthier you!
Join today and get Dr. Jill's Paleo-licious Snack Ideas for free! We promise never to share your email with anyone.
Flatiron Functional Medicine Holiday Giveaway
Enter now to win your free Berkey Water Filtration Sysyem (my personal favorite).
We promise never to share your email with anyone.
RESOLVE YOUR MOLD EXPOSURE SYMPTOMS
Dr. Jill's long-awaited Miracle Mold Detox Box is finally here. This handcrafted and researched bundle includes all of the crucial pieces you need to release and flush out toxins in 30 days.
SHOP NOW