Do you ever take the time to read the labels on your cleaning products? Do you check your plastic containers to see what they’re made of? Few of us spend the time to worry about these issues, but should people with Adrenal Fatigue be taking things quite so lightly?
Hormone-mimicking chemicals like xenoestrogens are far more common than they used to be. And that could be one reason why chronic health issues are so much more common today. They are in many of the household products that you use every day. Could they be affecting your health?
Xenoestrogens: What Are They?
An increasing number of household products contain chemicals which disrupt the proper functioning of the endocrine system. These compounds are known as Xenoestrogens; they got that name because xeno means foreign, and because they mimic the effects of estrogen in the body.
Xenoestrogens are found in a worrying number of products, from hair dyes to take-away cartons. Although some experts maintain they pose a relatively low risk to health, the fact they’re found so widely means we’re now being exposed to them on an unprecedented scale. Unsurprisingly this raises questions for people with adrenal exhaustion.
Xenoestrogens And Adrenal Fatigue
Xenoestrogens can wreak havoc on your delicate hormone balance, causing a huge array of problems. This can include anything from low thyroid function to impaired immunity. The reason they’re problematic is because these hormone disrupting chemicals do two things:
- Xenoestrogens bind to hormone receptors, creating an excess of circulating estrogen in the bloodstream. This leads to a condition known as estrogen dominance. Too much estrogen can cause a wide range of symptoms including menstrual irregularity, hair loss, and increased lethargy – bad news for anyone, even more so if you’re dealing with Adrenal Fatigue.
- Unlike naturally produced hormones, Xenoestrogens are difficult for the body to process. This means they end up getting stored in fat cells where they can build up and cause even greater problems.
For people contending with adrenal exhaustion, Xenoestrogens are an added assault on an already fragile endocrine system. Adding excess hormones into an already compromised system only creates an additional burden for organs such as the liver and kidneys to deal with.
Which Products Should You Avoid?
Unfortunately, the list of products containing these hormone-disrupting compounds is growing ever longer.
Here are some of the worst sources of xenoestrogens:
- Skincare products including make-up, sunscreen and nail varnish. Look out for products that contain parabens or Benzophenone.
- Most industrial plastic products including lunchboxes, plastic water bottles, wrapping film and sandwich bags. Avoid any products which contain Bisphenol A (BPA).
- Non organic fruit and vegetables that have been sprayed with chemical pesticides and fertilisers.
- The combined oral contraceptive pill.
- Household cleaning products containing chemicals like alkylphenol ethoxylates
How To Avoid Xenoestrogens And Cut Your Toxic Load
Although it’s becoming increasingly difficult to avoid these chemical pollutants altogether, there are some simple steps you can take to limit your exposure. Wherever possible you should aim to:
- Buy hormone free meat and dairy products. As always, organic is best.
- Switch to natural hair dyes and organic beauty products.
- Avoid storing food in plastic containers. Use glass or ceramic instead.
- Keep plastic out of the dishwasher and microwave.
- Choose unbleached sanitary products, teabags and bed linen.
- Peel and wash all non-organic fruit and vegetables before consumption.
- Avoid spending too much time around photocopiers and fax machines which emit high levels of toxic particulates.
There’s no doubt the world is a more contaminated place than it was just 20 years ago. It could even be argued this is one of the reasons why chronic health issues are on the rise. It’s not just the sheer number of products containing Xenoestrogens that are a concern, but the fact they’re in household items we use on a daily basis, and in combination with other toxic products.
A clean environment should be a priority for everyone, not just those of us contending with less than optimal health. Modern life means that pollutants are difficult to avoid, but you can limit your exposure.
The best advice is to always buy natural, organic, and chemical-free products, and always read the label. For more tips on reducing your toxic load, check out my ebook, The Adrenal Fatigue Solution. It includes lots of advice on detoxifying your lifestyle, and it comes with sets of meditations and instructional videos.