Xenoestrogens: The Hidden Hormone Disruptors You Need to Know About

What Are Xenoestrogens?

“Xenoestrogens are synthetic industrial chemicals found in various plastics, sealants, consumer goods, preservatives, and pesticides.” - Exploring the Biological Activity and Mechanism of Xenoestrogens and Phytoestrogens in Cancers, PubMed.

Xenoestrogens have unexpected activities – they may either act as oestrogen, triggering receptor pathways, or as anti-oestrogen, blocking normal oestrogen activity in the body.

How Do Xenoestrogens Affect the Body?

The prefix “xeno” in the word xenoestrogen comes from the Greek word xenos, which means foreign or stranger. Xenoestrogens look and act like oestrogen, but beneath the disguise, they wreak havoc on your body. 

Endocrine Disruption:

• Chemicals like xenoestrogens, which can mimic endogenous hormones or interfere with endocrine processes, are collectively called endocrine disruptors. They interfere and cause problems related to natural hormone production.

Reproductive Issues:

• Xenoestrogens can negatively impact reproductive health and potentially lead to irregular menstrual cycles, decreased fertility, early menopause in women, and decreased sperm count and changes in sperm shape and motility in men.

Increased Cancer Risk:

• Various studies have shown that these chemicals may be linked to certain hormone-related cancers, such as breast cancer and prostate cancer.

Metabolic Effects:

• These chemicals cause hormonal imbalances, affect metabolism, increase the storage of fat in the body, leading to obesity, and increase the chances of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

Natural vs. Synthetic Xenoestrogens

We have already seen that xenoestrogens are of two types – synthetic and natural. How are they different?

Synthetic xenoestrogens are man-made chemicals found in plastics, pesticides, and so on. They are stronger and capable of causing more disruption in your body.

Natural xenoestrogens are found in some plants and fungi that mimic the effects of the body’s natural oestrogen. Phytoestrogens found in soy, nuts, and seeds are a type of natural xenoestrogen. They have a weaker effect on your body.

Xenoestrogens List: Common Sources and Where They Lurk

Xenoestrogens are present everywhere - even in products you probably would not suspect.  Knowing where they hide can help you avoid exposure and protect yourself from their harmful effects. The most common sources are:

1. Personal Care and Beauty Products:

• You always opt for paraben-free shampoos, lotions, and cosmetic products, right? But have you ever wondered why brands proudly advertise their products as paraben-free? Parabens are one of the most widely used xenoestrogens found in personal care products.
• Another chemical that is just as harmful is phthalates, which are plasticisers used to make products last longer. This xenoestrogen is found commonly in perfumes, lotions, and nail polish.
• What makes antimicrobial agents like soaps, toothpaste, household cleaning products, and hand sanitisers powerful? These products contain triclosan, a chemical designed to kill harmful microbes. But triclosan is also a xenoestrogen, which can cause hormone disruptions in your body.

2. Plastics and Household Items:

• Most of us use plastic bottles and food containers every day. We also handle thermal paper receipts from shops without a second thought. Nevertheless, be warned that these items are harmful - they are capable of exposing you to BPA (Bisphenol A), a potent xenoestrogen.
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• Polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, are another common xenoestrogen. This was a popular chemical until recently, when it was banned from use in electrical appliances in many nations. However, this toxic chemical is still found in the environment.
• Another toxic compound is nonylphenol, found in paints, detergents, and other products.

3. Pesticides and Food Contaminants:

Why do people prefer organic foods? One major reason is to avoid exposure to pesticides, which are heavily used in conventional farming. Some of the most concerning pesticides that also have xenoestrogenic effects are atrazine, an herbicide and potent endocrine disruptor, and dioxins, a chemical byproduct released during pesticide manufacturing.

You might be familiar with the use of growth hormones to increase milk production and promote faster growth in livestock. These synthetic hormones, commonly found in meat and dairy, act as xenoestrogens, disrupting your body’s natural hormone balance.

4. Water Supply:

Another unsuspecting source of xenoestrogens? Your tap water. You might think it’s clean, but it may contain traces of pharmaceutical oestrogens from birth control pills or hormone treatments. Most wastewater treatment plants aren’t equipped to filter them out completely.

Why should you be concerned?

Long-term exposure to these common sources can cause xenoestrogens to accumulate in the fat cells, leading to long-term health risks even after reducing contact.

How to Reduce Exposure to Xenoestrogens

1. Switch to Safer Personal Care Products:

• While shopping for skincare and cosmetics, select products that are free from parabens and phthalates.
• If available, choose organic or natural products that contain minimal chemicals.
• Avoid artificial fragrances like body sprays and room fresheners, as they often contain phthalates.
• Opt for natural-scented products and essential oils.
• Some chemical sunscreens contain xenoestrogens. It is better to select mineral-based sunscreens to avoid exposure.

2. Avoid Plastic Containers for Food and Drinks:

• Switch to glass, stainless steel, or BPA-free containers instead of plastic.
• Never heat food in plastic containers, as this may cause harmful chemicals to leach into your food.
• Avoid packaging materials like plastic wraps.
• Say no to plastic water bottles. Instead, use a reusable stainless steel or glass bottle.

3. Eat Organic and Hormone-Free Foods:

• Choose organic fruits and vegetables grown without harmful synthetic pesticides.
• If organic options are not available, thoroughly wash and peel non-organic fruits and vegetables before consuming them.
• Opt for grass-fed, hormone-free meat and dairy to minimise exposure to growth hormones.
• Limit your intake of processed and packaged foods with added colours, flavours, and preservatives.

4. Improve Household Environment:

• Use natural cleaning products or plant-based alternatives.
• Avoid synthetic air fresheners or candles, as they often contain phthalates. Instead, opt for essential oil diffusers.
• Avoid Teflon-coated and non-stick cookware as they release harmful chemicals when heated. Use stainless steel, cast iron, or ceramic cookware.
• Filter tap water before you drink it, as it may contain pharmaceutical residues and 

5. Support Natural Detoxification:

• Increase your fibre intake. Fibre can help reduce your body’s xenoestrogen levels by encouraging its excretion through faeces.
• Drink plenty of water to support your kidneys and liver in flushing out toxins.
• Exercising and saunas can help expel xenoestrogens through sweat. Reducing their buildup in the body.
• Consume cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower, cabbage, kale, and broccoli to support oestrogen metabolism. Indole-3-carbinol (I3C), a compound present in cruciferous vegetables, is known to decrease concentrations of various oestrogen receptor-stimulating metabolites.

The Health Risks of Long-Term Xenoestrogen Exposure

“Human exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals is inevitable, and people are daily exposed to these chemicals through both the consumption of contaminated food and the use of industrial products containing them, most often in chronic low doses.” - Risks and Benefits Related to Alimentary Exposure to Xenoestrogens, PubMed.

Long-term exposure to xenoestrogens can lead to the following health issues:

1. Hormonal Imbalances: 

Women may experience irregular cycles, infertility, and premature menopause due to xenoestrogen exposure. 

Men might experience problems such as erectile dysfunction, low semen quality, and infertility. 

In children, prolonged exposure to xenoestrogens may lead to early puberty. 

2. Increased Risk of Hormone-Related Cancers: 

Research has revealed that xenoestrogens can trigger hormone-related tumours due to their interference with oestrogenic pathways in the cells. Xenoestrogens can increase the risk of breast cancer, prostate cancer, and endometrial cancer. 

3. Problems Related to Metabolism: 

Xenoestrogens mimic estrogen and can lead to estrogen dominance and weight gain, predominantly localised in the hips, thighs, and waist area, and such weight gain would be very difficult to lose later. 

Xenoestrogens also affect the metabolism, leading to insulin resistance and increasing the chances of type 2 diabetes.

4. Neurological and Developmental Issues:

Xenoestrogens may cross the placenta and affect the fetus, potentially interfering with further development and resulting in developmental problems. 

Evidence suggests that xenoestrogens can bind to oestrogen receptors in the brain, therefore causing neurotransmitter imbalances in the brain and thus influencing areas responsible for mood regulation, leading to anxiety, depression, and mood swings.

Myths and Facts About Xenoestrogens

Time for some myth-busting! Read on to challenge what you thought you knew.

Myth 1:

“Xenoestrogens are only found in plastics.”

• Fact:
  Xenoestrogens are not just present in plastics but even in the most unsuspecting and very commonly used items such as personal care products, fruits and vegetables (as pesticides), meat and dairy (as growth hormones), and even your drinking water.

Myth 2:

“Consuming organic foods eliminates the risk of xenoestrogen exposure”.

• Fact:
  Though organic foods can reduce your exposure to xenoestrogens found in pesticides, you may still be exposed through the use of personal care products, the use of non-stick cookware, and even water.

Myth 3:

“Only women are affected by xenoestrogens.”  

• Fact:
  Xenoestrogens affect both men and women by disrupting hormone levels and leading to fertility issues, metabolic disorders, and even increasing the risk of certain types of cancers.

Wrapping Up

Xenoestrogens are chemicals that disguise themselves as oestrogen and cause hormonal disruption within your body. It is impossible to completely eliminate exposure – xenoestrogens are found in many everyday products like cosmetics, plastics, food items, and even water. 

However, you can allow yourself to stay considerably away from exposure to these harmful compounds and their contaminants by simply reinforcing some simple lifestyle changes, which include avoiding plastic containers for food storage, eating organic foods, not using non-stick or Teflon cookware, and using natural personal care products where necessary. 

Xenoestrogens are everywhere, but you can reduce exposure to these toxins through proper awareness. Learning the sources of these chemicals, finding safer alternatives, and supporting natural detoxification in your body can help maintain hormonal balance and health over time.