Eliminating Xenoestrogens

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While it is nice to think that everything available to consumers has gone through rigorous testing to ensure that it is 100% safe, unfortunately that is not the case, especially in America. Chemicals that are added to products for purposes like preservation and fragrance can accumulate in the body and influence health. Of these chemicals, one class in particular has been shown to have significant detrimental effects, impairing thyroid function, causing reproductive issues, decreasing fertility, and even contributing to certain types of cancer.

Xenoestrogens are a class of endocrine disruptors - substances that negatively impact the body's hormonal balance - and they are unfortunately very common. As their name implies, they are foreign ("xeno-") chemicals with estrogenic tendencies, which means they can clog estrogen receptor sites on cells so that the estrogen naturally produced in the body can't do its job. 

The best way to decrease xenoestrogen damage to the body is to avoid them as much as possible. This may seem overwhelming - it can seem like they're everywhere - but any small step taken to reduce exposure has a benefit.

Organic foods are raised without pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, or genetic modification, and the environment in which they are produced must meet strict guidelines as well. Choosing organic foods means steering clear of pesticides and other chemical residues that can be found in their non-organic counterparts.

Even if a product is organic, xenoestrogens in the linings of cans and other packages can leach into foods. Opting for ingredients that are whole and fresh instead of pre-packaged eliminates potential exposure.

Xenoestrogens in plastic and styrofoam can leach into food and beverages, especially when heated, so it's a good idea to limit their use as much as possible. Store and reheat food in glass containers, and use stainless steel or glass water bottles instead of plastic. 

Xenoestrogens aren't just ingested! Exposure can also happen through the skin and respiratory systems. Cleaners can be especially toxic and are often easy to replace. Choose eco-friendly brands or make simple ones at home using ingredients like apple cider vinegar - look through Pinterest account for ideas - and toss the poisons.

The poison symbols on cleaners are hard to miss, but unfortunately the xenoestrogens in beauty and personal care products aren't labeled in this way. Check the ingredients listed in shampoos, conditioner, deodorant, soap, makeup, lotion, etc. in the Environmental Working Group's free Skin Deep Cosmetics Database and replace everything with a scary rating with a natural alternative.

Xenoestrogens have a huge impact on hormonal health and fertility, but everyone can benefit from decreased exposure to them. While completely eliminating them may very well be impossible, following the tips in this post can significantly reduce their impact.  Decreasing the body's chemical load gives it more energy and resources to detoxify and rebuild within itself, which will lead to better overall health.