3 Hidden Toxins that Could Harm Your Health

Clean Living! I remember the feeling after taking a few days to really take care of myself. Such as having a few servings of home made vegetable juice, home made bone broths, fresh fruits and vegetables. I make sure to do yoga which brings my nervous system into the calm parasympathetic state, and maybe get a message to drain my lymphatic system. To top it off, dipping my feet into the ocean filled with negative charged ions that neutralize the electromagnetic frequencies of the positively charged ions from computers, cell phones, and our own oxidative stress is so refreshing. Can you imagine the feeling of energy, lightness, clarity and being clean that comes with a lower toxic level in your body?

Today lets talk about 3 toxins you may be exposed to on a daily basis that you may want to avoid. 

1. Xeno-estrogens. Did you know that synthetic estrogens are linked with increased cancer risk, or symptoms or hormonal inflammation such as PMS, hot flashes, endometriosis, fibroids and even headaches? Xeno-estrogens can be found in plastics such as plastic bags used to store food, plastic food containers, plastic wrap, and water bottles. Use glass instead. 

2. Phthalates are endocrine disruptors. This means they mimic and disrupt hormones causing hormonal imbalances. They are linked to birth defects and increased insulin resistance according to some studies. Unfortunately Phthalates are found in 95% of our population because of easy exposure through plastics, cosmetic products, perfumes and fragrances, hairspray etc. Avoid plastics with recycling codes 3 or 7, they are likely to contain Phthalates. 

3. Acrylamides are used in many industrial processes, but also found in foods. Acrylamides are carcinogenic and associated with increased risk of breast cancer. They are also associated with neurological damage in workers exposed to this chemical. Acrylamides are found in foods that are cooked above 250 degrees F and with charred meats from grilling (the blackened meats). Potato chips, and frech fries, foods heated at high temperatures contain higher levels of acrylamides. 

My perspective on toxins is to be educated but not fearful. There are many toxins in our world that we are exposed to that are in-evitable. If you are aware and can use substitutes that is wise. I've also seen patients who are fearful of so many foods, chemicals and everything around them, that the stress of the perception that their environment is unsafe, raises their cortisol and fight and flight response, leading to more inflammation, hormonal disruption, allergies, auto-immune diseases and illness. So balance is key. If your friend is serving you BBQ on the grill, it's once in a while with the acrylamides and won't kill you. But you may want avoid using plastic containers for your lunch everyday, and maybe the synthetically colored lipsticks. 

Are Toxic Estrogens Causing Weight Gain In My Hips and Buttocks? Could This Also By Why My Sex Drive Is Low?

Estrogen is thought of as a female hormone, but men have it too. In fact the way estrogen is processed by the liver is often an overlooked factor when men want to improve their libido and raise testosterone levels. Certain types of estrogens that are more prevalent in the body can affect a woman’s risk for breast cancer, PMS, as well as her mood stability. In both genders estrogen toxicity can contribute to difficulty losing weight. Weight distribution in the hips and thighs can be a sign of estrogen toxicity. 

So you see it is important to understand a bit more about the role of estrogen in your body so that you improve the areas of your health that are affected by your hormones. 

What Does Estrogen Do? There are 3 types of estrogens in the body. Estrone (E1), Estradiol (E2), and Estriol (E3). Estrogens are made in the ovaries of premenopausal women. Other tissues that produce Estrogen are your adrenal glands and fat cells. So the more fat you have, the more estrogen is produced. Estrogen is important for secondary female characteristics, the thickening of the uterine lining, bone health and vaginal lubrication in women. It is responsible for maturation of sperm in men. 

What's the Problem With Estrogen Dominance? However, there is a rising problem of estrogen dominance in both men and women. This means there is too much estrogen, or an imbalance of how estrogen is processed through the liver. The body makes estrogen but it also needs to get rid of it in a healthy cycle. The liver and intestinal tract are key players to the detoxification of estrogen. Depending on what position on the estrogen molecule a methyl or hydroxyl group binds in the detoxification process, determines if the estrogen does its job, or becomes pro-inflammatory and proliferative. 

The problem with estrogen dominance is that it can contribute to proliferation. Proliferation is growth of tissues such as increased chance of breast cancer, fibrocystic breasts, uterine fibroids, endometriosis etc. Estrogen dominance also can lead to more inflammation, PMS, hormonal migraines, as well fat distribution around the buttocks, hips and thighs, an inability to lose weight, and decreased sex drive in both genders. 

Is Your Sex Drive Low? If sex drive is something that is of concern and you are also overweight, estrogen dominance becomes a vicious cycle because fat cells contain an enzyme called Aromatase. Aromatase converts testosterone into more estrogen, depleting testosterone. This is one of the reasons to be considered when the modern male suffers from low levels of testosterone. They say, the more belly fat a man has, the less sex he has. Testosterone levels are generally falling in our population and men in their 50s today have testosterone levels of men in their 70s in the 1960s.  Also because many chemicals and plastics we use today mimic the estrogen molecule, there is an increased incidence of estrogen dominance. So it would be wise to decrease your use of plastic containers and definitely not microwave in plastic or leave a plastic water bottle sitting in a hot car. 

Is Your Weight In Your Buttocks and Hips? If weight is something that is of concern, estrogen dominance becomes a vicious cycle because fat cells contain an enzyme called Aromatase. Aromatase makes more estrogen. Estrogen is known to be a risk factor for obesity in both genders. Weight gain can lead to insulin resistance (blood sugar problem), which further can lead to more weight gain. There is a supplement, Aromastat from Dr. Peter D’Adamo available on my online store. It works by decreasing the effects of Aromatase. 

There are 3 things you can do to decrease estrogen dominance.

1. Decrease exposure to zenoestrogens like plastics, parabens, bisphenol A, phthalates, PCBs, BHA (preservative), and red dye number 3.
2. Eat 1-2 cups of broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower or Brussels sprouts per day. They contain Indole-3 Carbinol, which helps the liver get rid of toxic estrogens. A study shows that eating just 2 servings of broccoli per day reduced the risk of some cancers by 50%.
3. Reduce the amount of alcohol and coffee. Alcohol increases the amount of estrogen in the blood because it competes with the liver. Coffee increases the receptors for estrogen, making it more potent.

What Are The Best Tests? Lastly, how do you know your estrogen metabolism is out of balance? The tests that are usually run in medical offices only test for the total amount of estrogen, which in many cases may be normal even if your estrogen metabolism is imbalanced. A blood test includes both free hormone and bound hormone for a total level. It is important to know how much free hormone you have, because that is what is active in the body. Only a saliva or urine test can give you the free hormone level and therefore it is superior to a blood test for this purpose. I also offer more comprehensive tests that give specific breakdown products of what the liver does with estrogen.

Is the type of estrogen you have pro-inflammatory, and proliferative? Normal tests do not tell you this. So if you feel that you have an imbalance in your hormone metabolism and it is contributing to your weight issues, libido, menopausal changes, PMS or mood swings, I can help you find out exactly where your hormonal pathways are aberrant and design a strategy to get you the results you need. Please contact me to set up an appointment. I can work with you both in office or virtually.