How Can I Avoid Xenoestrogens?

Though definite causal links are not well established, Xenoestrogens are a known modern villain known to be linked with a myriad problems ranging from infertility to cancer.

Modern conveniences and products of all kinds are known to increase are exposure to Xenoestrogens and though some experts opine that the amounts are too small in proportion to make much negative impact, for those of us who would prefer to err on the side of caution, there are ways we can limit our exposure:

• Eat Organic: Pesticides are known to contain these chemicals and are also known not to be excreted and to stay within the system for a very long time.

Many plants are grown with the help not only of pesticides which we eat up along with the vegetables, they are also grown using synthetic fertilizer and herbicides. Even farm animals are injected with synthetic hormones to make them grown faster and fatter, for them to produce more milk, for them to retain more water so that they are heavier.

• Avoid Plastics: Use of Plastic water bottles, bags, cling film should be avoided when possible, because the plastic, when heated diffuses fairly rapidly into the food and water.

When heating things in the microwave it is particularly important not to use plastic containers or film, these are known to leech cancer causing elements into the food. Use more of ceramic and glass or earthenware containers.

• Use products with fewer chemicals: Detergents, some shampoos, dish wash detergent can all be guilty here so choose with care. Even sub block is known to contain Xenoestrogens and all the personal care products that are applied directly to the skin are more dangerous because they are directly absorbed into the skin. Vinegar and baking soda are actually very effective household cleaners!

Benzophenone-3, homosalate, 4-methyl-benzylidene camphor (4-MBC), octyl-methoxycinnamate and octyl-dimethyl-PABA are the chemicals to be avoided.When buying personal care and household products, look for phthalates, which can be found in baby lotions and powders as well. Check your shampoo for estradiol and avoid it.

• Use alternative methods to birth control pills: Use prophylactics rather than birth control pills and also use condoms without spermicide. Birth control pills are basically composed of high concentration of artificial hormones, which, over time have been seen to become toxic.