DIET CHAT USA

Xenoestrogen and Estrogen Dominance

Xenoestrogens are manufactured products that mimic natural estrogen and can contribute to several diseases such as estrogen dominance, fibroids, polycystic ovaries, prostate cancer, breast cancer, cancer of the womb and other hormone sensitive cancers.

Xenoestrogens are found all around us, in our food, in our water, in various plastic food and water storage products, pesticides and other chemicals produced by the agricultural and chemical companies. Xenoestrogens are everywhere. The most common are:

• Commercially raised chicken, beef and pork, due to hormones given to the animals in order to produce rapid growth. These hormones are also given to dairy cows in order to increase milk production.

• Canned food (if the internal lining of the can is plastic – which most are.)

• Food additives and preservatives (Propyl gallate and 4-hexyl resorcinol.) These can be found in baked goods, dried meat, dried milk, mayonnaise, shortening, candy, fresh pork sausage and shellfish.

• Styrofoam food containers and cups.

• Garden pesticides and herbicides.

• Plastic bottles, containers, dishes, and food wrap.

• Paints, lacquers and solvents.

• Birth control pills and spermicides.

• Cosmetics (xenoestrogens are ten-times more potent when absorbed through the skin than the ones ingested.)

• Perfumes and air fresheners.

• Personal care products.

• Detergents and cleaning products.

• Industrial waste

• Carpets, fiberboard and processed wood.

 

The human body can’t tell the difference between xenoestrogens and natural estrogens, so when we consume them our body metabolizes them and our estrogen levels skyrocket. Constant exposure to xenoestrogens is believed to play a major role in a society overwhelmed by estrogen dominance and the potentially serious health hazards caused by it.

What can you do to limit your exposure to Xenoestrogens?

Because xenoestrogens are so common-place you may not be able to escape them altogether, but you can reduce your exposure to them.

• Avoid buying food, water, and drinks in plastic or Styrofoam containers.

• Never heat food in plastic containers or covered with plastic wrap.

• Buy DEHA free plastic wrap

• Use glass or ceramic containers for food storage.

• Do not wrap food in plastic wrap.

• Do not cook with Teflon or other non-stick cookware.

• Use natural cleaning products, like baking soda and vinegar.

• Buy detergents that are dye and scent free.

• Buy organic meat—free of hormones.

• Limit or eliminate your milk consumption—or substitute rice or almond milk. Soy contains phytoestrogens.

• Do not eat the fat on meat—the xenoestrogens are stored in fat.

• Avoid food and drinks with artificial additives.

• Purchase organic vegetables and fruit.

• Use chemical free (natural) cosmetics.

• Consume whole foods, fresh vegetables and fruit and minimize your intake of processed food.

• Use natural pest control

• Install a reverse osmosis water filtration system under your sink or consider a filtration system for your house.

Ways you can reduce your estrogen levels

• Exercise: A study conducted by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center provided convincing evidence that high intensity exercise that gets your heart pumping for at least 5 times a week could lower estrogen levels by as much as 7%. 

• Consume Cruciferous Vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower and brussel sprouts.

• Choose organic foods.

• Limit your consumption of dairy products. According to a study by the Harvard School of Public Health, milk is responsible for up to 80% of the estrogens we consume.

• Cut down on alcohol consumption. Estrogen is metabolized in the liver and alcohol can impair the liver’s function causing a build up of estrogen in the body.