Hormonal imbalances and disorders are becoming increasingly more common in our modern world with Xenoestrogens (pronounced zen-o-estrogens) suspected to be playing a contributing role in their development.
Xenoestrogens are chemicals that are found in a variety of everyday modern and commonly used items such as plastic, skincare, make up and household products which are harmful due to their ability to mimic estrogen via blocking or binding to hormone receptors and therefore disrupting our normal hormonal balance. Although Estrogen is a natural hormone that is essential for functions such as bone growth, blood clotting and reproduction, when xenoestrogens enter the body they increase the total amount of estrogen to harmful levels.
These chemicals are not biodegradable and so they are stored in our fat cells. A build up of xenoestrogens has been linked to many conditions including breast, prostate and testicular cancer, obesity, infertility, endometriosis, early onset puberty, miscarriages and diabetes.
Many of us don’t think twice about the products we use on a day to day basis. The make up we use, plastic drink bottles and containers or the chemicals we use to clean with. Unfortunately, all of the above may be altering the way our body naturally functions because they all contain Xenoestrogens which we now know, disrupt endocrine function and hormonal balance.
We are constantly exposed to these substances in the world we live in. Examples of everyday items that may include xenoestrogens are fruits and vegetables sprayed with pesticides, plastic water bottles and plastic tupperware, nail polish, makeup, birth control and even grocery receipts..crazy I know!
Below are some examples of products that contain Xenoestrogens...
Plastics - The most well known offender for containing Xenoestrogens is plastics including BPA (drink bottles, containers and receipt papers), Phthalates (skin care and cosmetics), PVC and PBDEs (flame retardants used in house hold furnishings and electronics)
Food and Water - Erythrosine and Phenosulfothiazine (food colorings), BHA (preservative), Insecticides and Herbacides, Drinking Tap Water.
Building Supplies - Pentachlorophenol (general biocide and wood preservative) and Polychlorinated biphenyls / PCBs (in electrical oils, lubricants, adhesives, paints)
Personal Products - The Oral Contraceptive Pill, Tampons, Pads, Nail Polish, Make Up, Skin and Hair Care products
Cleaning Products - Household Cleaning Products Such As Air Fresheners, Cleaning detergents and Washing liquids
So what can you do to avoid these common chemicals?
- Avoid the use of all pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides in your garden
- Choose organic, locally-grown and in-season foods where possible (even purchasing the dirty dozen is better than nothing)
- Peel non-organic fruits and vegetables.
- Buy hormone-free meats and dairy products to avoid hormones and pesticides.
- Reduce the use of plastics whenever possible and opt for stainless steel or glass containers
- Do not microwave food in plastic containers
- Avoid the use of plastic wrap to cover food (checkout beeswax or vegan wax wraps)
- Do not leave plastic containers, especially your drinking water, in the sun.
- Use chemical free, biodegradable laundry and household cleaning products.
- Choose chlorine-free products and unbleached paper products (i.e. tampons, menstrual pads, toilet paper, paper towel)
- Avoid skin care and cosmetics that have toxic chemicals and estrogenic ingredients such as parabens.
- Minimize your exposure to toxic nail polish and nail polish removers
- Opt for essential oils as perfume over synthetic fragrances
- Use chemical free soaps and toothpastes
- Only take your receipt if you really need it and try not to handle it too much
Now I know this list may be overwhelming but there really are so many easy alternatives these days when it comes to non toxic household and personal products so there really is no excuse for continuing to use these products when they are linked to hormonal disruption!
If you would like to know more about how to detox excess estrogen then grab my free guide 'Hormone Detox and Reset' here!