What’s Really Behind South Asian Hormone Issues?
They’re in your food, your skincare, your air — new research shows that endocrine disruptors might be affecting the community more than we thought.
When Sneha* (name anonymized), 30, first moved from India to Canada in 2021, she expected to feel healthier. Toronto promised better healthcare, cleaner air, and an improved standard of living. But then, something strange happened. The health issues she had been managing since a 2019 diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and thyroid dysfunction actually worsened. Her heart palpitations were more frequent, the weight gain more stubborn. And she felt more unwell than she’d ever been.
In India, Sneha’s* days revolved around home-cooked meals, fresh produce, and long walks in the sun. A sudden move to Toronto in the middle of the pandemic upended that. Gone were the morning fruit markets — instead, she found herself grabbing processed meals to keep up with a hectic work schedule. “The change in environment, plus the new country, your hormones go awry,” she told The Juggernaut.
Sneha* soon realized she was being exposed to endocrine disruptors — natural or human-made chemicals that block or interfere with your hormones. They’re everywhere, from your sunscreen to even the pots and pans you cook with. Researchers are now noting that endocrine disorders, however, are disproportionately affecting millions of South Asians worldwide. Why?