Our hormones are finely tuned and can be put out of balance easily and in many ways.
When we are trying to balance our hormones, it is important to eat well, avoid sugars, caffeine and alcohol and to try to identify areas of stress in our lives that may be affecting them.
An important part of balancing our hormones is avoiding environmental chemicals called xenoestrogens.
What are Xenoestrogens?
Xenoestrogens are oestrogen-like chemicals found in plastics, some chemicals and pesticides that can affect hormone balance.
Xenoestrogens can play havoc with our endocrine system (the system that controls our hormones). Being exposed to chemical oestrogens is something that should be avoided if at all possible.
Xenoestrogens can be up to 1000 times more powerful than natural oestrogen. The greater our exposure, the greater the effect on our endocrine system.
They are stored in our fat cells, so if you are overweight, you will accumulate more.
What do they do?
Endocrine disruptors are things that change our normal function of hormones. Normally, our endocrine system releases hormones that tell different tissues what to do.
When outside chemicals get into our bodies, they mimic our natural hormones and block or bind to our hormone receptors. Certain organs are especially sensitive to them such as a woman's breasts and uterus and our immune and neurological systems. They can also affect the development of a foetus in the womb.
Oestrogen is an important hormone of both men and women. It is needed for bone growth, blood clotting and reproduction.
Normally, the body regulates the amount of oestrogen needed through intricate biochemical pathways. When environmental xenoestrogens enter the body, they increase the total amount of oestrogen, resulting in oestrogen dominance.
This build up of excess oestrogen has been linked to many conditions including breast, prostate and testicular cancer, obesity, infertility, endometriosis, early onset puberty, miscarriages, thyroid disorders and diabetes.
These chemicals are so strong that there is evidence that certain fish in the wild that have been exposed to them have even changed gender.
Where are xenoestrogens found?
Unfortunately, in our modern world they are everywhere, but there are things you can do to limit your exposure.
These man-made chemicals are found primarily in:
Other endocrine toxins to avoid
Obesogens - like the name infers, these nasty little things are chemicals that cause insulin resistance and weight gain. They include pesticides, BPA and
Phthalates. They can be found in cosmetics, moisturisers, nail polish and hairspray.
PFAS and PCBs and Dioxins - these accumulate in ground water, soil and food grown in contaminated soils.
Ways to reduce your exposure to xenoestrogens
A good idea is to look at the list and think about which ones you use more often. Usually it is personal body care products, cleaning/ washing products, food and water that people tackle first.
Before you read on, you need to understand that what you put on your skin - ends up inside your body.
.
Aluminium free deodorant is an absolute MUST. Some are better than others so experiment with different brands. There are some examples of natural deodorants here
There are many brands of more natural cleaning products out there. Some well-known ones are faith in nature and ecover who use plant based solutions in their products. You can also find out how to make your own very effective products using lemon, vinegar and baking soda from tutorials on the web. Good old fashioned steam is second to none for keeping your house clean so steamers are a great addition to the home. Some examples of suppliers can be found here
A filter can help limit your exposure. Your filter should be an activated carbon water filter and should be able to remove chlorine from your drinking water. If you want to splash out, get one that removes flouride and other micro contaminants also. I use a Berkey, which is brilliant.
The environmental working group has published a “dirty dozen” list of 12 foods that are the worst culprits for chemical load. You could start by swapping your dirty dozen products. They also have published a “clean 15” list that tells you the least chemically loaded that you don't need to swap in terms of importance.
The average woman who menstruates for five days a month for 38 years will use approximately 11,400 tampons. The vaginal wall is only one cell thick so these chemicals go straight into the bloodstream. That`s direct contact to the chemicals for 2,200 days.
There are many organic brands out there. You can experiment with organic pads and tampons or make the swap to more sustainable products like moon cups or period pants and help the environment at the same time. Many women find that when they make the swap to a moon cup or period pants their flow lessens over the course of a few months - a direct effect of eliminating the chemicals from conventional pads and tampons.
Phytoestrogens are compounds found naturally in plants. These can help block the effects of xenoestrogens. They are found in flax seeds,soybeans and edamame, dried fruits, sesame seeds, garlic, peaches, berries, tofu, cruciferous veg, tempeh and legumes.
Try to reduce your exposure to chemicals used in farming or building materials and avoid any unnecessary products such as scented candles (unless natural versions), air fresheners, dryer sheets, stain repellents, carpet cleaners or car air fresheners.
Try to avoid bringing toxic residue into your house by removing your shoes at the door, regularly dusting and replacing carpets with hard floors that can be cleaned more easily.
One of the best resources for learning more about this topic is the Environmental Working Group, a non-profit organisation that update and publish new research about environmental toxins in food, cosmetics and household products.
When we are trying to balance our hormones, it is important to eat well, avoid sugars, caffeine and alcohol and to try to identify areas of stress in our lives that may be affecting them.
An important part of balancing our hormones is avoiding environmental chemicals called xenoestrogens.
What are Xenoestrogens?
Xenoestrogens are oestrogen-like chemicals found in plastics, some chemicals and pesticides that can affect hormone balance.
Xenoestrogens can play havoc with our endocrine system (the system that controls our hormones). Being exposed to chemical oestrogens is something that should be avoided if at all possible.
Xenoestrogens can be up to 1000 times more powerful than natural oestrogen. The greater our exposure, the greater the effect on our endocrine system.
They are stored in our fat cells, so if you are overweight, you will accumulate more.
What do they do?
Endocrine disruptors are things that change our normal function of hormones. Normally, our endocrine system releases hormones that tell different tissues what to do.
When outside chemicals get into our bodies, they mimic our natural hormones and block or bind to our hormone receptors. Certain organs are especially sensitive to them such as a woman's breasts and uterus and our immune and neurological systems. They can also affect the development of a foetus in the womb.
Oestrogen is an important hormone of both men and women. It is needed for bone growth, blood clotting and reproduction.
Normally, the body regulates the amount of oestrogen needed through intricate biochemical pathways. When environmental xenoestrogens enter the body, they increase the total amount of oestrogen, resulting in oestrogen dominance.
This build up of excess oestrogen has been linked to many conditions including breast, prostate and testicular cancer, obesity, infertility, endometriosis, early onset puberty, miscarriages, thyroid disorders and diabetes.
These chemicals are so strong that there is evidence that certain fish in the wild that have been exposed to them have even changed gender.
Where are xenoestrogens found?
Unfortunately, in our modern world they are everywhere, but there are things you can do to limit your exposure.
These man-made chemicals are found primarily in:
- Tap water
- Weed killer, pesticides, insecticides and herbicides.
- Unfortunately, glyphosate - a widely used weed killer can be found in tampons and conventional food.
- Cleaning products
- Canned foods
- Plastics ( storage containers, food packaging etc)
- Air fresheners
- Washing machine liquid
- Makeup
- Hair dye
- Personal care products - shampoo, body wash, deodorant, moisturiser etc
- Nail polish and nail polish remover
- Perfume
- Sunscreen
- Birth control pills
- Toys
- Home furnishings
- Air and dust
- Building materials
- Artificial food dyes
- Photocopiers and printers
- Farming chemicals
- Polluted air
Other endocrine toxins to avoid
Obesogens - like the name infers, these nasty little things are chemicals that cause insulin resistance and weight gain. They include pesticides, BPA and
Phthalates. They can be found in cosmetics, moisturisers, nail polish and hairspray.
PFAS and PCBs and Dioxins - these accumulate in ground water, soil and food grown in contaminated soils.
Ways to reduce your exposure to xenoestrogens
A good idea is to look at the list and think about which ones you use more often. Usually it is personal body care products, cleaning/ washing products, food and water that people tackle first.
Before you read on, you need to understand that what you put on your skin - ends up inside your body.
- Makeup and personal care
.
- Swap your deodorant
Aluminium free deodorant is an absolute MUST. Some are better than others so experiment with different brands. There are some examples of natural deodorants here
- Perfume
- Natural cleaning products.
There are many brands of more natural cleaning products out there. Some well-known ones are faith in nature and ecover who use plant based solutions in their products. You can also find out how to make your own very effective products using lemon, vinegar and baking soda from tutorials on the web. Good old fashioned steam is second to none for keeping your house clean so steamers are a great addition to the home. Some examples of suppliers can be found here
- Get a water filter
A filter can help limit your exposure. Your filter should be an activated carbon water filter and should be able to remove chlorine from your drinking water. If you want to splash out, get one that removes flouride and other micro contaminants also. I use a Berkey, which is brilliant.
- Say goodbye to non-stick pans
- Ditch the plastic food containers, and never warm food in them.
- Avoid plastic food wrap
- Choose organic food
The environmental working group has published a “dirty dozen” list of 12 foods that are the worst culprits for chemical load. You could start by swapping your dirty dozen products. They also have published a “clean 15” list that tells you the least chemically loaded that you don't need to swap in terms of importance.
- Swap tampons and pads to alternatives
The average woman who menstruates for five days a month for 38 years will use approximately 11,400 tampons. The vaginal wall is only one cell thick so these chemicals go straight into the bloodstream. That`s direct contact to the chemicals for 2,200 days.
There are many organic brands out there. You can experiment with organic pads and tampons or make the swap to more sustainable products like moon cups or period pants and help the environment at the same time. Many women find that when they make the swap to a moon cup or period pants their flow lessens over the course of a few months - a direct effect of eliminating the chemicals from conventional pads and tampons.
- Make sure you are having bowel movements everyday.
- Include plenty of foods containing phytoestrogens
Phytoestrogens are compounds found naturally in plants. These can help block the effects of xenoestrogens. They are found in flax seeds,soybeans and edamame, dried fruits, sesame seeds, garlic, peaches, berries, tofu, cruciferous veg, tempeh and legumes.
Try to reduce your exposure to chemicals used in farming or building materials and avoid any unnecessary products such as scented candles (unless natural versions), air fresheners, dryer sheets, stain repellents, carpet cleaners or car air fresheners.
Try to avoid bringing toxic residue into your house by removing your shoes at the door, regularly dusting and replacing carpets with hard floors that can be cleaned more easily.
One of the best resources for learning more about this topic is the Environmental Working Group, a non-profit organisation that update and publish new research about environmental toxins in food, cosmetics and household products.
