Xenoestrogens

Xeno literally means foreign, therefore xenoestrogens means foreign estrogens. Some of the 70,000 registered chemicals for use in the United States have hormonal effects in addition to toxic effects. The synergistic effects of exposure to many xenoestrogens are well documented, but largely unknown. These substances can increase the estrogen load in the body over time, and are difficult to detoxify through the liver. This further compounds the problem of estrogen dominance.

To gain a perspective on how much exposure of chemicals is occurring, the NIH's National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have launched a study of blood and urine samples to determine the amount of exposure that Americans have to environmental estrogens. The CDC will measure approximately 50 environmental estrogens in 200 persons to determine levels of exposure to the population.

Among the more familiar chemicals that will be tested for are: insecticides parathion and DDT and its metabolites; herbicides; fungicides; plant and fungal estrogens; and industrial chemicals such as cadmium, lead, mercury, PCBs and dioxins.

Byproducts of the plastic and pesticide industries—called organochlorines—are one of the largest sources of xenoestrogens. These compounds, also used in dry cleaning, the bleaching of feminine hygiene products and the manufacture of plastics ranging from yogurt containers to baby bottles, have been shown to exert hormone-disrupting effects. What's more, organochlorines are known to accumulate in fatty human tissue and fluid such as breasts and breast milk. Caution dictates that women should try to eliminate these external estrogen sources through diet, supplements and lifestyle changes.

Plastics in our lives also expose us to the chemical bisphenol A, a breakdown product of polycarbonate, widely used in many plastics. Bisphenol A, found in the lining of many food cans and juice containers, escapes when polycarbonate is subjected to high temperatures. The estrogenic effects of bisphenol A became clear when men working in the plastics industry developed breasts after chronically inhaling the chemical in dust.

Other bad news from scientists have suggested that environmental estrogens might be reducing sperm counts in men and causing breast cancer, fibroids and other reproductive diseases in women. Xenoestrogens can be found in many of our meats and dairy products in the form of chemicals and growth hormones that are given to the animals. These can be quite powerful, and should be avoided where possible.

The information below makes suggestions to avoid substances that contain xenoestrogens. We know that you can't live in a bubble however there are ways that you can reduce your exposure to substances that can increase the estrogen load in the body.

* Avoid all pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides. Wash your food well to rid the pesticides. Bathe the washed food in a produce wash or ozonated water for 20 minutes before cooking.
* Have a good water filter for your source of water.
* Use only organic based whole foods when you can. Buy hormone free meats and dairy products where possible.
* Avoid plastic goods - they leach into the environment.
* Do not microwave food in plastic containers, and especially avoid the use of plastic wrap to cover food for microwaving.
* Use glass or ceramics whenever possible to store food.
* Do not leave plastic containers, especially your drinking water, in the sun.
* If a plastic water container has heated up significantly, throw it away - do not drink the water either.
* Don't use fabric softeners as it puts petrochemicals right on your skin.
* Use a simple laundry and dish detergent with less chemicals.
* Use organic soaps and toothpastes. Avoid fluoride.
* Avoid creams and cosmetics that have toxic chemicals and estrogenic ingredients such as parabens and stearal konium chloride. Switch to more natural products. Read your labels because inexpensive as well as expensive brands can have toxic ingredients.
* Avoid nail polish and nail polish removers.
* Use only naturally based perfumes. Most perfumes are petrochemically based.
* Avoid surfactants found in many condoms and diaphragm gels.
* Avoid new carpet - it can give off noxious fumes.
* Avoid X-rays as much as possible.
* Be aware of noxious gas such as that from copiers and printers, carpets, fiberboards, etc. Computer monitors can emit a high level of electromagnetic force (EMF).