by Jenna Jackson

As women, we need to be more aware of external sources of estrogen than men. Since our estrogen cup is fuller than men’s, we run a greater risk of having estrogen dominance. This shows up as many different hormone imbalances, fertility issues, troubled skin and severe menstrual pain. I knew there had to be a common denominator for all of these estrogen dominant symptoms. Enter Xeno (‘ZEENO’) Estrogens. We are exposed to these endocrine disruptors far more than we have ever been, and we are seeing hormonal health deteriorate.

What are Xeno Estrogens?

Xeno estrogens are chemicals that imitate estrogen and disrupt our hormonal systems. We are exposed to on a daily basis; they are in plastics, petroleum products, fertilizers, pesticides, cosmetics, shampoos, lotions, perfumes, laundry soaps, dryer sheets, receipt paper, Teflon pans, drinking water, feminine hygiene products, hormonal birth control, non-organic foods, and the list goes on. Why are xeno estrogens dangerous, especially for women? When we absorb xeno estrogens through our skin or through our digestive system, they bind to our estrogen receptors and create 10 times the effect of our own estrogen. Having this much estrogen in the body is especially dangerous as a female; it creates a vulnerability to contracting an estrogen dominant condition. Estrogen is a proliferate hormone; it creates growth and cell replication and it is what thickens the endometrial lining in the uterus that we later shed during menstruation. Since estrogen causes growth, it also feeds conditions such as endometriosis, cervical cancer, breast cancer, fibroids and can cause infertility and other types of hormone imbalances.

How can you reduce your exposure?

Buy organic foods when you can. Check out the ‘Dirty Dozen’ and ‘Clean Fifteen’ lists here for certain fruits and veggies you should buy organic. Eating organic foods will eliminate your exposure to pesticides and fertilizers that cause hormonal imbalances. Switch from plastic Tupperware to glass or metal containers; switch from plastic water bottles to glass or stainless-steel drinking containers. Change up your cosmetics; there are many great alternatives to generic cosmetics that have ingredient lists safe enough to eat! Check out the Skin Deep data base for clean alternatives and which cosmetics to stay away from. Switching out artificial fragrances in laundry and dish soap to more natural products, such as unscented laundry soap, essential oils instead of perfumes etc. will also reduce your exposure to xeno estrogens.

Balancing hormones through nutrition:

Estrogen is recycled by the liver and the good bacteria that live within our digestive system, therefore as females it is imperative we keep these systems happy. To nourish the liver we want to eat foods high in I-3-C (indole 3 carbinol). This compound is great for supporting liver detoxification. You can find I-3-C in the brassica family – kale, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli, broccoli sprouts (one of  highest amounts), cabbage etc. You can also find I-3-C in many liver supplements and Estrogen balancing supplements. Herbal medicine also offers us many great liver strengthening and detoxing herbs: dandelion, burdock, stinging nettle, globe artichoke and milk thistle are some safe gentle cleansing herbs for the liver.

To keep the good bacteria in our digestive system (also referred to as micro-biome) functioning optimally, it is important to make sure they are being fed. Our gut flora loves fibre and prebiotics. These are found in whole grains, nuts and seeds, leafy green vegetables, root vegetables and fruits. Eating a wide variety of whole foods every day is going to make your micro-biome healthy. Also, fermented foods and drinks help keep up the population of good bacteria in your system. Sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha and kefir are great examples of probiotic foods to add on to your meals. Taking a woman-specific probiotic will ensure you are getting the correct strains that support estrogen detoxification.

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