Xeno-estrogens

"The study of Xenoestrogen is new but it is going to become a major subject of discussion as more is learned. Aside for causing fat storage on the body, it has connections to cancer and other illnesses."

Definition: Xeno-
foreign, strange, different

They are a class of endocrine disruptor (chemicals in the environment that go into your body and act like hormones). Xenoestrogens are endocrine disruptors that act like estrogen. Estrogen is a fat storing and fat creating hormone.

They are industrially made compounds, that have estrogenic effects and differ chemically from normal estrogens produced by living organisms.¹

There is a concern that xenoestrogens may act as false messengers and disrupt the process of reproduction. Xenoestrogens, like all estrogens, can increase growth of the endometrium, so treatments for endometriosis include avoidance of products which contain them.

Another potential effect of xenoestrogens is on oncogenes, specifically in relation to breast cancer. Lately there is substantial evidence in a variety of recent studies to indicate that xenoestrogens can increase breast cancer growth in tissue culture.

 It has been suggested that very low levels of a xenoestrogen, Bisphenol A, could affect fetal neural signalling more than higher levels, indicating that classical models where dose equals response may not be applicable in susceptible tissue.^[17] As this study involved intra-cerebellar injections, its relevance to environmental exposures is unclear, as is the role of an estrogenic effect compared to some other toxic effect of bisphenol A.

http://www.endo101.com/xeno.htm (more about effects of xenoestrogens)

How to detox from xenoestrogens naturally.

Xenoestrogens are so pervasive in our world, that no one can avoid them. So, how can you detoxify your body and eliminate them as much as possible? Luckily, there are many natural xenoextstrogen detoxifiers to add to our diet or supplements.

Phytoestrogens are probably at the top of the list. Why would you want to put MORE estrogen into your body, you ask? It’s because phytoestrogens, found in plants, bind to the receptors that xenoestrogens bind to and keep them from accumulating in your body.

These weak estrogens, found in beans, leafy green vegetables and oils, are a very good way to detoxify and remove xenoestrogens naturally. Another good detoxifier and cancer preventive is Indole 3-Carbinol found in cruciferous vegetables like kale, cabbage and broccoli.

You can find Indole 3-Carbinol in capsules, but getting it from vegetables also gives you the rest of the plant’s nutrition. It helps your liver remove xenoestrogens and also provides vitamins and minerals that enhance your body’s immune system.

One thing that may NOT be good for reducing xenoestrogens is coffee. Some studies show that caffeine boosts estrogen levels at more than a single cup a day. Of course, there are many more foods and drinks that contain caffeine, so it would be wise to be aware of this when choosing beverages and meals.

By choosing natural foods and personal care products and avoiding plastics, it’s possible to cut way down on the xenoestrogens that enter your body, but you can’t eliminate them entirely. To avoid the weight gain and health risks they pose, use the tips in this article to detox naturally.  More to follow in the next post.

                 Korach, Kenneth S. (1998). Reproductive and Developmental Toxicology. Marcel Dekker Ltd. pp. 278–279, 294–295.

                Evidence of effects of environmental chemicals on the endocrine system in children PMID 12837917.

                Pugazhendhi D, Sadler AJ, Darbre PD (2007). "Comparison of the global gene expression profiles produced by methylparaben, n-butylparaben and 17beta-oestradiol in MCF7 human breast cancer cells". J Appl Toxicol 27 (1): 67–77. doi:10.1002/jat.1200. PMID 17121429.

^ Buterin T, Koch C, Naegeli H (August 2006). "Convergent transcriptional profiles induced by endogenous estrogen and distinct xenoestrogens in breast cancer cells".Carcinogenesis 27 (8): 1567–78. doi:10.1093/carcin/bgi339. PMID 16474171.

^ Darbre PD (March 2006). "Environmental oestrogens, cosmetics and breast cancer". Best Pract. Res. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 20 (1): 121–43. doi:10.1016/j.beem.2005.09.007. PMID 16522524.

^ Darbre PD, Aljarrah A, Miller WR, Coldham NG, Sauer MJ, Pope GS (2004). "Concentrations of parabens in human breast tumours". J Appl Toxicol 24 (1): 5–13. doi:10.1002/jat.958. PMID 14745841.