Xenoestrogens – The Enemy of Weight Loss

Xeno = Foreign.

Xenoestrogens are “synthetic” estrogens. Substances that are close enough in molecular structure to estrogen that they bind to estrogen receptor sites in our body with potentially hazardous outcomes. Sources of Xenoestrogens include plastics, pesticides, chemicals, and preservatives.

Xenoestrogens are linked to breast cancer, endometriosis, precocious puberty (early onset of puberty), infertility, and miscarriages. In men, we are seeing decreased sperm counts and an increase in prostate and testicular cancers. Other health problems include thyroid disorders, diabetes, and behavioral disorders in children.

Many people that I see have hormone in-balance issues. Women and Men that have an excess of estrogen will present with varied symptoms such as sore breasts, irregular and painful periods, stubborn fat stores around the middle and decreased sex drive. Young males with enlarged nipples and Gynecomastia is now a common occurrence.

Estrogen – alongside other toxins – are stored in fat. Once we get the fat burning off, the hormonal imbalances level out as the body excretes the toxins and excess hormones. But I must stress it is important to support the elimination pathways as this clearing occurs. The liver, bowel and kidneys all need to be functioning correctly.

One of the ways that we can balance out hormones is to cut down on these “fake” estrogens that are entering our body via the environment and foods that we eat. I suggest you familiarize yourself with the basics and eliminate week by week, or as you replace skin care etc, rather than making drastic changes that could see you then dealing with mental health issues!

Begin by examining the products you use everyday. Check ingredients in shampoo, conditioner, facial care products, deodorant, etc. Each positive choice you make, no matter how small is a step in the right direction.

Now is the time to begin.

Reduce your exposure to xenoestrogens

• Choose chlorine-free products and unbleached paper products – toilet paper, paper towel, coffee filters etc.
• Do not microwave food in plastic containers! Use a china bowl with a plate over the top. Reduce microwave use. Use the stove with Stainless steel saucepans to reheat where possible.
• Reduce the use of plastics whenever possible.
• Avoid the use of plastic wrap to cover food for microwaving (plastic is made from petroleum!)
• Replace Teflon and Non stick saucepans and fry pans with stainless steel.
• Buy Organic personal products (tampons and pads) – better still buy a menstrual cup https://www.nourishedlife.com.au
• Avoid all pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides.
• Use filtered water to drink and bathe in to avoid chlorine.
• Buy food grown locally and in season. Whenever possible, choose organic foods. Look at this years dirty dozen for a list https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/dirty-dozen.php
• Buy free range meats and dairy products to avoid hormones and pesticides.
• Use glass or ceramics whenever possible to store food.
• Do not leave plastic containers, especially drinking water, in the sun. The heat on the plastic produces the xenoestrogens.
• If a plastic water container has heated up significantly, throw it away – do not drink the water. (You will taste it in the water).
• Don’t refill plastic water bottles. Avoid buying all together, Take your own glass bottle and coffee travel mug with you.
• Use chemical free, biodegradable laundry and household cleaning products whenever possible.
• Use chemical free soaps and toothpastes (choose fluoride free).
• Avoid creams and cosmetics that have toxic chemicals and estrogenic ingredients such as parabens and stearal konium chloride. See list below.
• Minimize your exposure to nail polish and nail polish removers.
• Use naturally based fragrances, such as essential oils. Perfumes are lovely but highly toxic!
• Read the labels on condoms and personal lubricants/gels.
• Minimize X-rays whenever possible.
• Be aware of gas from copiers, printers, carpets, fiber boards, and at the service station.

Estrogenic Chemicals

• Alkylphenol
• Atrazine (weedkiller)
• 4-Methylbenzylidene camphor (4-MBC) (sunscreen lotions)
• Butylated hydroxyanisole / BHA (food preservative)
• Bisphenol A (monomer for polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resin; antioxidant in plasticizers)
• Chlorine and chlorine by-products
• Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (one of the breakdown products of DDT)
• Dieldrin (insecticide)
• DDT (insecticide)
• Endosulfan (insecticide)
• Erythrosine / FD&C Red No. 3
• Ethinylestradiol (in the combined oral contraceptive pill!)
• Heptachlor (insecticide)
• Lindane / hexachlorocyclohexane (insecticide)
• Metalloestrogens (a class of inorganic xenoestrogens)
• Methoxychlor (insecticide)
• Nonylphenol and derivatives (industrial surfactants; emulsifiers for emulsion polymerization; laboratory detergents; pesticides)
• Pentachlorophenol (general biocide and wood preservative)
• Polychlorinated biphenyls / PCBs (in electrical oils, lubricants, adhesives, paints)
• Parabens (methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben and butylparaben commonly used as preservatives in personal care products)
• Phenosulfothiazine (a red dye)
• Phthalates (plasticizers)
• DEHP (plasticizer for PVC)
• Propyl gallate

I specialise in the low tox life plan and prescribe herbs and supplements to support the body to eliminate toxins while decreasing weight. If you would like some more information please contact me raquel@nurturer.com.au