THE TRUTH ABOUT XENOESTROGENS

By: Gleason Center Editors, Dr. Daniel Gleason DC

Xenoestrogens are industrially made compounds such as PCB, BPA and Phthalates. These are widely used in foods, skin care products, and cleaning products, that have estrogenic effects to the living   organisms although they differ chemically from the naturally occurring estrogenic substances ​internally produced by their endocrine system.

ENDOCRINE DISRUPTORS

In Cosmetics:
4-Methylbenzylidene camphor (4-MBC) (sunscreen lotions)
Parabens (methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben and butylparaben commonly used as a preservative)
Benzophenone (sunscreen lotions)

In Plastics:
Bisphenol A (monomer for polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resin; antioxidant in plasticizers)
Phthalates (plasticizers)
DEHP (plasticizer for PVC)
Polybrominated biphenyl ethers (PBDEs) (flame retardants used in plastics, foams, building materials, electronics, furnishings, motor vehicles).
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

In Food:
Erythrosine / FD&C Red No. 3
Phenosulfothiazine (a red dye)
Butylated hydroxyanisole / BHA (food preservative)
Building supplies:
Pentachlorophenol (general biocide and wood preservative)
Polychlorinated biphenyls / PCBs (in electrical oils, lubricants, adhesives, paints)

In Insecticides:
Atrazine (weed killer)
DDT (insecticide, banned)
Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (one of the breakdown products of DDT)
Dieldrin (insecticide)
Endosulfan (insecticide)
Heptachlor (insecticide)
Lindane / hexachlorocyclohexane (insecticide, used to treat lice and scabies)
Methoxychlor (insecticide)
Fenthion
Nonylphenol and derivatives (industrial surfactants; emulsifiers for emulsion polymerization; laboratory detergents; pesticides)

In Other Products:
Propyl gallate
Chlorine and chlorine by-products
Ethinylestradiol (combined oral contraceptive pill)
Metalloestrogens (a class of inorganic xenoestrogens)
Alkylphenol (surfactant used in cleaning detergents)

*List adapted from: https://womeninbalance.org/2012/10/26/xenoestrogens-what-are-they-how-to-avoid-them/

WAYS TO AVOID XENOESTROGENS

1. Stop using insecticides & pesticides. Instead, look for natural alternatives without xenoestrogenic effects.
2. Do not eat products that contain BHA.  Commonly found in processed foods.
3. Eat organic meats.  Hormones are used to make animals grow bigger and faster.
4. Don't heat any food in plastic or with plastic wrap on it, as it will leach into your food.
5. Avoid PCB's in paint and oils.
6. Avoid sunscreen that contains 4-MBC, a xenoestrogen.
7. Remove paraben-containing lotion from your routine.

Join our Detox Program to learn more about xenoestrogens and detoxing naturally. 

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