What Are Xenoestrogens & How Do You Avoid Them?

Xenoestrogens, also known as endocrine disruptors are xenohormones – synthetic or natural compounds that mimic the actions of hormones naturally produced by the body.

Xenoestrogens mimic the effects of estrogen, a natural hormone found in women and men, and responsible for processes like secondary sex characteristics, the menstrual cycle, and pregnancy.

I wish I could say there was a way to totally avoid these mimickers, however, there isn’t. They are everywhere. You’d have to live in a bubble to avoid toxic exposure. You can, however, reduce your exposure, and in doing so, keep the body from being bombarded by the copycats.

that’s taking up residence in my uterus is disintegrating. That’s progress, largely because of the efforts I put in to limit xenoestrogens, optimize gut health and support my liver function.

Effects of xenoestrogen

Xenoestrogens bind to estrogen receptors, which alters the response. Effects on the body include:

• contributio to obesity
• early onset of menstruation
• disruption in the onset of puberty
• inhibit the creation of testesterone
• disruption of cholesterol conversion
• estrogen dominance
• disrupt immune, bone function

Xenoestrogens can be found in:

• soil
• water
• food
• plastics
• pesticides
• cosmetic ingredients
• household cleaning ingredients

Reducing exposure to xenoestrogens

Beauty Products

• Avoid cosmetics with endocrine disruptors (ex. preservatives like, (methyl, propyl, poly, butyl parabens), phthalates, benzophenone. )
• Get acquainted with xenoestrogens found in beauty and wellness products
• Avoid UV filters found in sunscreens, i.e oxybenzone, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide
• ead product labels
• Use non-bleached pads and tampons
• Avoid DDT (found in insect repellent)
• Consider using oils instead of fragrances that can be contaminated with phthalates

Food

• Avoid pesticides, fungicide, herbicides
• Eat organic foods as much as possible
• Wash fruits and vegetables with vinegar and water
• Peel fruits that are not organic
• Avoid artificial food coloring
• Eat meats that have been grass fed and free of hormones and antibiotics
• **phytoestrogens: foods that contain low doses of estrogen, i.e. soy. Limit or avoid these if you have estrogen dominance.
  

Plastics

• Get rid of plastics in the home
• Avoid microwaving in plastics
• Use stainless steel water bottles
• Avoid BPA (Bisphenol A) and BPS (Bisphenol S)
• Ditch that cling wrap. Sorry. It’s made of PVC, which is said to be one of the most dangerous xenoestrogens. Opt for beeswax wrap, glass containers or soy paper wax.

Household

• Use fabric shower curtain in lieu of vinyl
• Avoid non-stick Teflon pans
• Install a filter on your tap
• Use laundry detergent without SLS and other harmful additives
• Use wool dryer balls and add essential oils instead of fragranced dryer sheets