Introduction
Obesogen is a chemical that induces obesity in humans and animals. These chemicals are found everywhere and in everyday households, like food containers, toys, cleaning agents, personal care products, and medical supplies. They are present in a wide range and may contaminate food, water, or air through their routes of exposure. When these chemicals enter the body, they alter the energy balance and induce weight gain.
What Are the Functions of Obesogens?
Obesogens are endocrine-disrupting chemicals; they mimic and interfere with hormonal functions resulting in hormonal imbalance. There are about 1000 types of chemicals classified as endocrine-disrupting chemicals. The endocrine system plays a significant role in balancing energy and the storage of fat.
This chemical may induce obesity by
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Raising the number of fat cells.
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Enhancing the fat storage in the existing fat cells.
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Changes in the fat cell production and destruction of cells.
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Altering energy balancing to increase calorie storage.
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Altering the BMR (basal metabolic rate) is how many calories the body needs to fulfill basic needs.
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Changing gut microbiota to increase food storage.
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Changing hormonal control of appetite.
These endocrine-disruptor chemicals are also present in the placenta, amniotic fluid, and umbilical cord, showing exposure to endocrine-disruptor chemicals as early as in the womb of a mother. Exposure to these chemicals early in life may induce obesity in later life. It can also increase the risk of high sugar levels, cancer, and metabolic syndrome as the enzymes associated with their elimination are not completely functional. The impact of prenatal exposure to endocrine-disruptor chemicals on fetus metabolism may be carried to the future generation, which is called as transgenerational effects of endocrine-disruptor chemicals.
What Are the Five Common Types of Obesogens?
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Bisphenol A (BPA):
BPA is an artificial compound that produces polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins that form food and beverage cans. So these chemicals are seen in many food and beverage containers. It has a structure similar to estradiol, which is an important female sex hormone. As estradiol is a form of estrogen, BPA binds easily to estrogen-related receptors. Studies show that it induces insulin resistance and inflammation, increases the formation of fat cells, and causes oxidative stress. Therefore, humans are highly exposed to BPA when they consume stored food or reheated food stored in a BPA-coating container. These compounds can leach into the food products, contaminating them due to an altered pH and temperature.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers BPA safe, as the amount of these chemicals that transfer from the food packaging to the food and beverage are small amounts. However, BPA chemicals can increase the prevalence of weight gain, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
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Phthalates:
Phthalates are artificial chemicals used to increase the flexibility and durability of plastics. They are used in medical devices, toys, food packaging, detergents, shampoo, soap, lotions, perfumes, etc. The common phthalate is Di-2-Ethylhexyl-phthalates (DEHP). This chemical binds to the androgen receptor, an important sex hormone. This prevents testosterone production leading to the anti-androgen effect causing obesity.
These chemicals can affect hormone receptors and the cell signaling pathways regulating the metabolism. The primary exposure includes the intake of food and beverages stored in containers coated with phthalates, and these chemicals in the dust are also an important source of exposure. Regular exposure results in a risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and increased body mass index (BMI).
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Atrazine:
It is a commonly used herbicide. This chemical is seen in the surface and groundwater. Similar to BPA and Phthalate, Atrazine exhibits anti-androgenic and estrogenic effects. It also decreases the production of luteinizing hormone, which is important for sexual development and functions. Exposure to these chemicals raises the risk of obesity and insulin resistance associated with high-fat diets. Long-term exposure to these chemicals results in chronic conditions such as a rise in blood sugar, cancer, and birth disabilities. In pregnant women, the risk of gestational diabetes is high.
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Organotins:
These chemicals produce polyvinyl chloride stabilizers, pesticides, and anti-fouling paints. The main product is tributyltin (TBT), used in antifungal paints used in boats and ships as it restricts the growth of marine organisms on their body. These chemicals are released into the water and contaminate the water. In addition, it affects the sea animals as it induces imposex, where female snails develop male sex organs.
Studies show that exposure to TBT during pregnancy and lactation results in more and larger fat cells in the third and fourth male generation, which lead to the sex-specific risk of obesity. This chemical exposure occurs through seafood.
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Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA):
PFOA is a surfactant used in waterproofing clothing, non-stick cookware, microwaveable food items, etc. The source of exposure to this chemical is through water; once ingested, it lasts in the body for a long period. These chemicals also interfere with the metabolism of fat. Exposure to these chemicals before birth results in obesity when one reaches adulthood with raised insulin, leptin, and body weight.
What Are Anti-obesogenic?
In the present world, weight gain or obesity are common problems that can be treated with the help of anti-obesogenic compounds. Many extracts of plants show anti-obesogenic properties. This extract contains different agriceuticals like
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Fiber.
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Phenolic acid.
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Alkaloids.
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Lignans.
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Proteins.
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Flavonoids.
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Anthocyanins.
These anti-obesogenic suppress obesity by
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Suppressing appetite.
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Inhibiting digestive enzymes.
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Decrease adipogenesis and lipogenesis.
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Enhancing lipolysis and thermogenesis.
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Altering gut microbiota.
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Reduce inflammation caused by obesity.
The anti-obesogenic agriceuticals can be increased by applying required fertilization methods, enhancing the capacity to overcome obesity during cultivation. Biofertilization and nano fertilization are used, which are considered to be efficient, eco-friendly, and cost-effective. This method of fertilization is used as it increases the content of nutrients and bioactive compounds. Therefore, these plants help to overcome obesity as there is an increased content of bioactive compounds in anti-obesogenic plants grown with biofertilizers.
Conclusion
Obesogens are chemicals that induce obesity in humans and animals. These are chemicals everywhere and are seen in the products used today. These are chemicals usually used in producing plastics, medical equipment, bottles, cosmetics, cleaning agents, etc. This prolonged use of chemicals results in high blood pressure increased weight, and diabetes. On the other hand, anti-obesogenic compounds are present in plants grown through biofertilization, which contain a high amount of bioactive material that helps overcome obesity.
