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Xenoestrogens and their Role in Estrogen Dominance
September 26, 2009 by Dee
Filed under Estrogen Dominance Causes
Estrogen dominance is a growing problem in the 21st century. It affects both men and women, and sometimes even children are affected, causing them to 
experience and early onset of puberty. Estrogen dominance has been firmly linked to breast cancer, prostate cancer and other hormone sensitive cancers. Researchers are now determined that one of the primary causes of estrogen dominance is xenoestrogens.
What are Xenoestrogens?
Xenoestrogens are man-made substances that mimic the affects of natural estrogen. The name literally means ‘foreign estrogen’. These estrogen imitators are found in products all around us - in our drinking water, in our food, and in the products we use every day. The human body cannot tell the difference between natural estrogen and xenoestrogens, so absorption and consumption of them cause estrogen levels in our bodies to spiral upward. Constant exposure to these estrogen-like substances are believed to play a major role in causing estrogen dominance.
Where are Xenoestrogens Found?
Industrial, agricultural and chemical companies first introduced xenoestrogens into the environment. They are now prevalent in every day life. There are more than 100,000 registered chemicals in use that are known to have hormonal effects on the body and many of those have toxic and carcinogenic effects as well. Just a few of the many ways people are exposed to xenoestrogens include:
- Commercially raised meats (this livestock is often given hormone supplements to make them grow larger and more rapidly)
- Styrofoam cups and food containers
- Plastic bottles, plastic dishes and containers, plastic food wraps
- Pesticides and herbicides
- Cosmetics and personal care products (xenoestrogens absorbed through the skin are 10 times more potent than ones that are consumed)
- Birth control pills and spermicides
- Canned foods (80% of food cans contain a plastic lining to eliminate the taste of metal from the food it contains)
- All artificial scents (perfumes, air fresheners, etc.)
- Commercial dairy products
- Paints, solvents and lacquers
- Detergents and household cleaners
- Industrial wastes
What can you do to Avoid Xenoestrogens?
The fact that xenoestrogens are so commonplace can be a little overwhelming but there are steps you can take to avoid xenoestrogens. You may not be able to escape them altogether, but you can certainly reduce your exposure to estrogen imitators. Here are some simple ways to avoid xenoestrogens:
- Go Organic Whenever Possible. Choose meats that are labeled hormone-free or organic. Certified organic produce is free of the herbicides and pesticides found on other commercial produce. Even household cleaners of all types can be found that are all natural and free of xenoestrogens. Whenever possible use cleaners like baking soda, vinegar or other natural substances. Look for detergents that are scent and dye free.
- Choose Personal Care Products Carefully. For excellent information about choosing the least harmful cosmetics and other personal care products, visit the Environmental Working Group’s SKIN DEEP cosmetic safety database.
- Plastics Do not microwave or store food or water in plastic containers. Use DEHA free cling wrap. Do not cook with Teflon or other non-stick cookware. Cast iron is an alternative that is safe, affordable and long lasting.
- Limit or Eliminate your use of Commercial Dairy Products. Not only do cows often eat food that has xenoestrogens in it, they are frequently milked when they are pregnant and their estrogen levels are at their highest. This means that commercial dairy products are a prime source of outside estrogen that is getting into our bodies. Substitute rice or almond milk whenever possible.
- Safer Water At this time our water treatment plants do not filter out hormonal pollutants and bottled water is an unregulated source for drinking water. Instead, install a reverse osmosis filtration system under your sink or consider a system that filters water throughout the house.
Estrogen dominance is reaching epidemic levels and the finger of blame must point towards xenoestrogens as a clear contributor to the problem. The more you know about these potentially serious health hazards caused by xenoestrogens and how you can limit them in your life the better your odds of avoiding estrogen dominance.
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