Puberty hits different now
Today, Explained
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Stress and Antibiotics Accelerate Puberty
Early puberty in children may be influenced by several factors. First, stress plays a crucial role by increasing cortisol levels, the stress hormone, which can trigger earlier onset of puberty. This stress can stem from various sources, including academic pressures, trauma, and food insecurity, leading to different manifestations in children. Second, exposure to antibiotics, particularly through animal agriculture, is significant, with 80% of antibiotics in the U.S. used in this sector. This chronic exposure may cause gut inflammation and is also linked to the onset of earlier puberty in children.
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