Xenoestrogens are becoming an increasing concern to our health. In this post I wanted to share with you what they are, where they are found and what you can do to reduce you and your family’s exposure.
What are they?
Xenoestrogens (pronounced zen o es tro gens) are harming
chemicals present in many common items that we are in contact with on a daily
basis.
They enter the body through inhalation, ingestion and through our skin and act as estrogen mimickers.
To help me explain further, imagine that you have a bodyguard who is manning the 'hormone estrogen room'. The guards only allow access to the hormone estrogen VIP members. Unfortunately, when xenoestrogens try to enter this room, the bodyguards can’t establish if these chemicals are the real hormone estrogen or not and as a consequence the chemicals gain access to the blood stream.
Excess levels of estrogen can cause ‘Estrogen Dominance’ which is a hormonal imbalance and can cause a whole host of problems. Problems can range from female hormone issues such as excessive PMS symptoms; cramps, breast tenderness, mood swings to male symptoms such as breast formation.
These chemicals can also promote abnormal cell growth which we know is the basis of cancer formation.
How is Estrogen Dominance caused?
Estrogen is metabolized and excreted through the liver. We already know that our liver is one of the hardest working organs in the body; it continually has to detoxify toxins such as processed foods, junk foods, alcohol, smoke, medications and environmental pollution.
With such a heavy work load, when the estrogen or xenoestrogens make their pathway to the liver, the liver has to turn away the estrogen, as it ‘can’t make room’ to carry out the detoxification process. As a result the xenoestrogens have to re-circulate in the blood stream causing a higher level of estrogen in comparison to other hormones. This also allows them to cause the same damage that they originally did on their first journey. So it is bad enough that we allow xenoestrogens to enter the body but now we are finding that we cannot eliminate the dangerous chemicals.
Where can they be found?
Commercially raised animal meat and dairy contain xenoestrogens. Synthetic hormones are injected into these animals so that they grow bigger and produce more milk resulting in financial gain. They can also be found in pesticides on fruits and vegetables. One particular xenoestrogen is found in Styrofoam especially when hot food or drink is mixed with it such as coffee in a Styrofoam cup. The chemicals are leached from the plastic through to the liquid and then we ingest them as we drink our coffee.
Xenoestrogens can also be found in beauty care products such as hair dyes and aerosols that we can inhale.
Plastics are also a major contributor and xenoestrogens are found in plastic water bottles and Tupperware. In addition, mothers need to be aware that their babies are ingesting xenoestrogens through their heated up milk bottles.
How can we reduce our contact with these harmful chemicals?
· Eat organic meat and dairy as they have not been injected with growth hormones.
· Eat organic fruits and vegetables where pesticides have not been used.
· Use glass or stainless steel to drink your liquids.
· Purchase glass Tupperware for home use.
· Take a container to restaurants to use as a doggy bag rather than a plastic box.
· Don’t buy milk in plastic wax coated containers.
· Look for organic beauty care products.
-Breast feed your baby.
· Don’t microwave food in plastic containers.
Unfortunately, we can’t eliminate all contact with these harmful chemicals unless we lobby for major political change in favour of a greener planet. Unbeknown to us we regularly inhale toxic fumes that act as estrogen mimickers when we inhale the fumes given off by vehicle tires. However, we are in control of what we eat, drink and how we prepare our foods. Any small effort will contribute to a healthier you and our planet.
If you think you may be suffering from estrogen dominance or would like to find out more about your hormone levels; I run a series of diagnostic lab tests that can establish your personal levels of toxicity and hormone imbalance.
A hormone balancing treatment programme may last up to 6 months or longer depending on your current lifestyle habits.
Please feel free to contact me for more details.
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