Household Health and Hormones
Xenoestrogens are foreign estrogens that mimic the processes of our natural estrogen. They create a lot of hormonal havoc in our bodies by causing estrogen dominance which could be the reason you are experiencing PMS and having other hormone related issues. Xenoestrogens come from many household products, pesticides, plastic and make up.
Do you want to start living a more natural life and don’t know where to start?
The first place to makeover is your kitchen, Tupperware is so 1990s. Plastic Tupperware is detrimental to the environment and to your hormones. When it is microwaved this multiples the effects of the xenoestrogens. Plastic has taken over the world, EVERYTHING is plastic and it is hard to avoid. But the first thing you can do is replace all plastic cups and containers with glass or ceramic. Bring your own to go container with you out to dinner for leftovers and purchase reusable bottle and coffee cup to avoid single use products.
Next look in your fridge and freezer, conventionally raised meat and dairy is terrible for you and our environment. These “foods” are ridden with bovine growth hormones and expose us to several xenoestrogens. Opt for organic, free range, grass fed meat and dairy from reliable and local farmers. Or better yet, reduce or eliminate these food sources from your diet completely.
Reduce your intake of conventionally grown fruits and vegetables or anything that has been exposed to insecticides or pesticides. It’s always better to buy organic, but washing all produce before eating it is crucial. I like to scrub hard fruits with baking soda and water and soak others like grapes in this mixture for at least 15 minutes.
Artificial food additives, like MSG and artificial sweeteners like Splenda and Aspartame. A good rule of thumb is if it was grown IN a plant avoid it at all costs, if it was grown ON a plant eat it. Also, be mindful when buying canned goods, many of the cans contain BPA, which is a xenoestrogen.
Avoid foods that contain soy protein and soy protein isolate. These foods are packed with condensed, unnaturally high amounts of plant estrogen. Consuming them can lead to estrogen dominance. When choosing these foods eat organic soybeans, edamame, tofu or tempeh instead.
Research your tap water source, a lot of tap water contains petroleum derivatives that expose us to xenoestrogens. It’s best to drink filtered water, this does not mean bottled water, since you never know how long that water has been sitting in the plastic bottle and exposed to xenoestrogens as well.
Next look at your bathroom, most self-care products are full of xenoestrogens and parabens. Shampoos, soap, conditioner, body wash, facial cleanser, toothpaste, lotion, cosmetics, etc. Xenoestrogens that are put directly on the skin are not filtered by the liver meaning that 100% of them get into the bloodstream, making them 10x more potent. Go to your local Natural food store to find alternatives for this products, natural is safer for you and your loved ones. Here are a few of my go to natural products: Makeup by Gabriel or Zuzu, Tom’s of Maine for toothpaste, a lot of all natural products can be found at Whole Foods.
Stop using dryer sheets, yes they make your clothes feel soft and smell great, but they are full of chemicals and xenoestrogens. Use natural detergent and add a ½ cup of baking soda to the rinse cycle instead of fabric softener.
Avoid commercial disposable menstrual products, these products not only expose your lady parts to xenoestrogens every month, they are terrible for the environment, and it all ends up in a landfill. Most tampons are bleached and contain chlorine, rayon and other chemicals, which are directly absorbed into your body. Here are some natural products to help you and Mother Nature, the www.DivaCup.com or http://www.natracare.com
Which out all your chemical based household cleaners to natural alternatives, I use Seventh Generation or make my own all-purpose cleaner with 9 cups water and 1 cup vinegar, mix together in a spray bottle and go to town.
I hope this article helps you to reduce your exposure to xenoestrogens, resulting in a cleaner household, happier hormones and less waste from single use plastic. If you would like additional resources on how make your home more green, follow Why Not Wellness on Instagram and Facebook.
