Xenoestrogens are found in feedlot beef and dairy that is pumped up with synthetic growth hormones, in household cleaners and personal care products that contain toxic chemicals, in plastics, acetones (e.g., fingernail polish and removers) and in pesticides, fungicides, herbicides and industrial pollutants. The xenoestrogens are ten to a hundred times more potent than hormones occurring naturally in the body. Like an unexpected guest that overstays its welcome, once xenoestrogens settle in, they are not easily removed.
Xenoestrogens tend to accumulate in body fat such as breast tissue, and play a dangerous role in the initiation and progression of breast cancer. They mimic the actions of estrogens by barging in and knocking naturally occurring estrogens right off the receptor sites of the cell. They are directly toxic to our DNA and are widely acknowledged to be contributing to the rising rate of breast cancer in western countries. After the 1976 banning of organochlorine pesticide use in Israel, breast cancer rates have come down.
To cut down your exposure to these toxins be sure to:
- Choose hormone-free, meat, dairy and wild caught fish vs. farmed varieties
- Avoid produce that has been sprayed with pesticides
- Use glass rather than plastic containers for food. Be sure not to heat or microwave food in plastic bags or containers
- Avoid herbicides and insecticides
- Avoid bleached paper such as coffee filters, tissue paper, napkins, etc.
- Avoid the use of household chlorine containing bleach or use disposable gloves and open all the windows if working with chemicals
- Switch to organic sanitary napkins and tampons
- Reduce use of solvents like nail polish, nail polish remover, etc.
Excerpt from the Women in Balance Institute at the National University of Natural Medicine blog: Causes of Hormone Imbalance.
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I am in my mid 30s, a wife to a Brazilian man, mother to a 6 year old daughter, and happy owner of a beautiful Australian Labradoodle named Bel. I am a Christian and profess Jesus Christ to be my Lord and Savior! My interests are sort of nerdy; I like to culture fruit, brew kombucha, use essential oils, do occasional fun runs, go saltwater fishing and I have over 16 fruit trees in my backyard.
