If you’ve been following NaturalSociety, then you’re probably aware of chemicals known as endocrine disruptors. While we naturally produce hormones, there are various chemicals and agents that disrupt this production.
Unfortunately, lurking in many of our food crops is something called a xenoestrogen (foreign estrogen) which mimics the real deal in our bodies, affecting our endocrine systems negatively. This type of xenohormone can cause all kinds of problems, including increased risk of various cancers, hampered fertility, lower sperm count, thyroid disorders, diabetes, endometriosis, and early onset puberty.
Xenoestrogens interfere with the natural estrogen in our body, as well as the natural balance of estrogen and progesterone. Phytoestrogens can do the same thing, but most of us don’t eat so many mushrooms (a primary source of phytoestrogens) that there would be a big problem.
Xenoestrogens, however, come from over 70,000 different chemicals that have a known affect on our hormonal systems. DDT is a big culprit as are numerous fertilizers, herbicides and fungicides used by the non-organic farmers of the world. GMO crops are a huge problem, because they require larger and more pervasive use of these pesticides. Corn, soy, sugar beets, cottonseed oil, zucchini, alfalfa, and Hawaiian papaya are all predominantly grown using genetically modified seed.
The liver is one of the biggest routes for threats like xenoestrogens to leave the body, primarily through the blood and bile. You can support the liver by eating only organic foods and increasing your intake of liver-cleansing foods like parsley, lemon, turmeric, green tea extract, and avocado. Additionally, avoid BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) in food, which causes an elevation in xenoesteogens. Stop using plastics that leak xenoestrogens. It’s best to avoid plastic, but if that just isn’t an option, look for the plastic recycling symbols/numbers 2, 4, and 5.
Further, stop consuming meat full of hormones, which also causes a disruption in the endocrine system, and yes, makes more xenoestrogens. Don’t use everyday products like cosmetics, oils and lotions that contain chemicals like parabens. Finally, avoid PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) that are in paints and oils whenever possible.
While many of these toxins are unavoidable, we can support the eliminative and detoxifying organs to help our bodies get rid of foreign hormones we really don’t need.
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