Xenoestrogens are oestrogen-like chemicals found in plastics, some chemicals and pesticides that can affect hormone balance. We have seen evidence of this in the wild, for example some fish are growing both male and female sex organs. Xenoestrogens have a lot to answer for, especially when many women are already oestrogen dominant. Getting extra chemical oestrogens is something that should be avoided if at all possible. Xenoestrogens are stored in body fat so overweight people tend to store more of them.
How can you avoid them?
Eat organic when you can to avoid consuming pesticides.
Don’t heat food in plastic containers, especially in a microwave oven.
When you can avoid storing food wrapped in plastic, especially fatty foods such as cheese and meat as xenoestrogens tend to migrate into foods which have a high fat content. If you buy foods wrapped in plastic, remove it from the packaging when you get home. I use glass containers which are great because you can freeze things in them and cook with them in the oven.
Increase your fibre intake through eating plenty of wholegrains, fruit and vegetables, especially cruciferous vegetables, as fibre can help to eliminate xenoestrogens.
Include plenty of foods containing phytoestrogens in your diet such as fruit and vegetables, soya beans, tofu, miso, soya milk, lentils, beans, chickpeas, brown rice and oats, as these can help reduce xenoestrogens.
Use natural, organic toiletries to reduce your exposure to chemicals that could be xenoestrogens. Take a look into natural cosmetic companies like green people, tropics, lily and lilo and many more. Toiletries that are more natural are brands like faith in nature. It`s also really easy to make your own products. Cleaning products with baking soda, vinegar and lemon are all over the internet and are very effective. It`s also fun making your own moisturisers with coco butter and different oils.
Use natural cleaning products (such as Ecover or faith in nature) to reduce your exposure to xenoestrogens.
