How to Detoxify Harmful Xenoestrogens From your Beauty Rituals | Part 2

Hi dear one!

I hope you’re doing great!  This powerful time together is a carry over [ part 2 ] from our previous conversation about estrogen mimickers called xenoestrogens.  

 Many personal care products such as cosmetics, shampoos, and body lotions, contain  harmful chemicals. For example, one of the most common chemicals found in personal care products is “Fragrance,” which can be made up of hundreds of various chemical compounds. Fragrances are linked to liver and kidney damage, cancer and endocrine disruption which interferes with your adrenal, thyroid and reproductive glands.

When we use these personal care products we can inhale the toxins as well as absorb them through our skin (the largest organ that connects to the inside of our body). 

It’s simple enough just to say “Opt for natural plant-based alternatives with simple ingredients that have names you recognize…” its just as important to know the why and how to recognize the unwanted ingredients damaging our health.  

Before we move forward, make sure you’re read up on how the pesky chemicals mimicking our estrogens succumb us and cause havoc in the first place! 

For a quick review: 

 WHAT ARE XENOESTROGENS?

Xenoestrogens are synthetic substances that mimic estrogen. Unfortunately, unlike estrogen, which the body fully eliminates after its job is done,  xenoestrogens are stored in fat cells where they disrupt the proper functioning of the reproductive system and increase hormone imbalances and the risk of disease in the breast and ovaries. 

Causes of Estrogen Dominance

The body accumulates excess estrogen in two ways:

Endogenously (inside) - We make too much of our own estrogen and it’s not being properly eliminated.

Exogenously (outside) - Excess estrogens enter the body from external sources, such as foods, the environment, toxins, and chemicals, and are not being properly eliminated.

Excess Estrogen Common Catalysts:

Stress - 

Surprise!  The leading cause of endogenous estrogen stems from excessive and prolonged stress which inversely decreases progesterone production to make more cortisol, the main stress hormone. This results in high estrogen levels in relation to progesterone.

Impaired Liver Function – 

Mentioned in part one, we know the liver removes excess hormones from the body, and if not working properly - it leads to estrogen dominance.

Dysbiosis –

A higher count of bad bacteria vs. good bacteria in the gut inhibits the conversion of estrogen into water-soluble molecules.  This causes the estrogens to recirculate back into the bloodstream where it can re-exert its effects. Gut health is very important for the metabolism of all hormones.

Now onto the deeper understanding of  ( Xenoestrogens ) from Personal Care Products

You may be overwhelmed, but trust me - reducing your xenoestrogen exposure through awareness when applied to your beauty products is easier than you think.    The impact is huge, and I have no doubt this will be helpful and clarifying for you and your beautiful health! 

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Two Reasons Why Xenoestrogenss Hidden in Skincare Is Harmful

Increase of Cancer Risk

About 40% of all cancers in women are hormonally driven. When estrogen mimickers are present in our beauty products - it increase the overall levels of circulating hormones. This is why it may also increase our risk for certain cancers, specifically breast cancer.

Breast cancer is estrogen-dependent.  Research has shown that xenoestrogens in personal care products can pose an increased risk of breast cancer.

Fertility 

In women, exposure to xenoestrogens can predispose us to estrogen dominant related health conditions like PCOS, Endometriosis, and Fibroids and fertility.   

Exposure to xenoestrogens is not the sole cause of these fertility, rather it’s constant exposure to these endocrine-disrupting compounds, like in your daily skincare routine that affects these conditions.

When becoming pregnant, xenoestrogen exposure can also be harmful.  In mice, exposure to xenoestrogens during pregnancy has been shown to affect the estrogen levels of the developing fetus. Men are perhaps even more susceptible to the negative effects of xenoestrogens on their fertility than women are. 

Xenoestrogens could be contributing factors to the deterioration of these men’s semen quality, resulting in their inability to conceive.

So, if you and your partner are having trouble getting pregnant, xenoestrogens in a beard oil or facial cream should be assessed as a easy way to reduce your exposure to these endocrine-disrupting compounds.

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Which leads me to how to awaken to xenoestrogens in our personal care and beauty products.

Outside-In 

When you consume chemicals internally they are first filtered through the liver before they make their way into the bloodstream, but when you use skincare products that contain xenoestrogens, they may pose risk  through absorption.  

 Top INGREDIENTS To Remove

Phthalates: Are round in cosmetics, cleaning products, food packaging, and detergents, PVC plastic, toys, and plastic wrap.

Buyer beware, the worst part about Phthalates is that Phthalates often times hide in the ingredient list under “fragrance.” Companies are able to vaguely label a group of ingredients as simply “fragrance” in order to protect trade-secret ingredients.

• Phthalate

• DEP

• DBP

• DEHP

Parabens: found in deodorant, antiperspirant, moisturizer, sunscreen, and makeup.

Parabens show up in personal care products because they are antimicrobial agents and preservatives.

• Ethylparaben

• Butylparaben

• Methylparaben

• And other ingredients ending in “-paraben”

Looking for a “paraben-free” label is the easiest way to avoid exposure to these xenoestrogens in your skincare products.

Formaldehyde: A known carcinogen and irritant found in nail products, hair dye, fake-eyelash adhesives and some shampoos. It has been banned in other countries.

Fragrance: Has hormone-disrupting effects. Fragrance is also connected to headaches, dizziness, asthma and allergies. Instead, use products with natural fragrances only.

Lead: A known carcinogen and hormone disruptor found in certain eyeliners, hair dye and lipsticks.

Mercury: A known irritant and allergen that, with body accumulation over time, can impair the brain and nervous system.

Oxybenzone: An active ingredient in chemical sunscreens that accumulates in fatty tissues and is linked to allergies, hormone disruption and cellular damage. I recommend wearing skin-protective clothing and using natural minerals or zinc products.

DEA/TEA/MEA (Ethanolamines): Used as emulsifiers and foaming agents for shampoos, hair color, body washes, soaps and topical application. It’s been associated with cancer in animal studies.

Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS, SLES): A former industrial degreaser now used to make soap foamy, it’s absorbed into the body.

Diethylene glycol (or DEG): A central nervous system depressant and potent kidney and liver toxin. Sometimes found in fragrances. 

Note: Glycerin and propylene glycol are sometimes contaminated with DEG, which are common ingredients in personal care products.

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Stay Beautiful Inside and Out by Focusing on Nutrition and Detoxification

In conclusion, reoccurring toxins that build up in the body can adversely impact one’s health, hormones, looks and overall well-being.

I suggest checking your beauty-product labels, eating a plant rich diet, frequent exercise and plenty of water to stay hydrated and help your body naturally flush out toxins not only keeps xenoestrogens at bay but might also deter blemishes and fine lines that show up on your skin. 

If you are having skin issues or any hormonal imbalance symptoms you should have your hormones tested instead of guessing. The comprehensive hormone panel is an excellent starting place for evaluating hormone function. 

Small changes can add up to big impacts, so keep your eyes open for them and continue making healthy choices where and when you can.

To start making confident and empowering decisions today, head on over to www.evoqbeauty.com where you’ll find Xeno-FREE hair, skin and wellness products galore!  

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Awaken Beauty Podcast:
Please like, subscribe if you’re not already part of our tribe and comment what you learned with your 5 star review! 

Want to grab the top most offensive xenoestrogens in youre life? Just head to Awakenbeautyhq.com and find this mini episode with show notes! 

Looking for natural, organic and hormone disruption free skin and body care?  Then you know where to go! Head to Evoqbeauty.com. E-V-O-Q beauty.com and enter “AWAKEN” for your very first order! 

XO Love n’ light,   Kassandra

Xenoestrogens, not so beautiful.

By Kassie Kuehl, Hairstylist and Health Coach www.KasiaOrganicSalon.com

 

Xenoestrogens are derivatives of Estrogens. Their chemical structure acts like estrogen in the human body. They are highly estrogenic, fat-soluble and non-biodegradable compounds.

Before we move on with Xenoestrogens, a brief on Estrogens.

Estrogens are a group of steroid compounds, which are part of the hormone cycle and function as the primary female sex hormones in most female mammals.  They are also used as part of some of the oral contraceptives, in estrogen replacement therapy of postmenopausal women. They also act as a powerful anti-inflammatory.

Xenoestrogens, in addition to being highly estrogenic, are fat-soluble and non-biodegradable. Prolonged exposure to Xenoestrogens causes early menstruation and can also cause breast cancer, uterine cancer, fibrocystic breast disease, ovarian cysts, endometriosis, premature sexual development, uterine fibromas, heavy periods, and infertility.  Though our bodies are amazingly resilient, the immunity to endocrine disruptors is not strong enough.

Sources of Xenoestrogens:

Pesticides-

Pesticides are perhaps the biggest source of Xenoestrogens. They are highly estrogenic, and some experts estimate that the average American ingests over a pound of pesticides a year.

Xenoestrogens get into our system through our “food-chain” by means of chemical fertilizers and sprays used to disinfect crops. Most bio-accumulate, meaning they are stored in fat cells of fish, poultry and other food sources in increasing concentration until they reach the top of the food chain — where we consume them. Later, they accumulate in our fatty tissues (breast, brain, and liver) and can cause a variety of aliments as mentioned before.

Livestock’s-

A second major source of Xenoestrogens is the large amount of growth hormones given to livestock and poultry, most of which contains fat-soluble estrogens. When humans consume such live stock or their milk, we ingest those estrogens.

Organo-chlorides like dioxin (a by-product of chlorine when it is burned or processed), PCB’s, PVC’s, and some plasticizers are just a few of the many manmade chemicals that act like estrogen in our bodies. Many others have the effect of interrupting our normal endocrine function, hence the term “endocrine disruptors.”

Plastics-

Products associated with plastics such as bisphenol A and pthalates. Bisphenol-A was originally designed for use a synthetic estrogen replacement. It was found to work quite well as an antioxidant to prevent plastic from breaking down in the sunlight. Bisphenol-A is used in drinking water bottles, plastics used in baby bottles, plastics used to pack food, and some dental composites. Pthalates along with excess estrogen given to chicken used as food were suspected to cause girls as young as 18 months to begin to menstruate in Puerto Rico between 1970 and 1980. Pthalates are found in cosmetics, shampoos, hair dyes and more.

Cosmetics-

Preservatives used in skin lotions, shampoos, and body lotions such as the Parabens that include Methyl Paraben, Ethyl Paraben, Proply Paraben, Butyl Paraben. Researchers from the Department of Biology and Biochemistry of Brunel University in the United Kingdom have conducted a study and found that alkyl preservatives (methyl, ethyl, propyl  and Butyl Paraben) are weakly estrogenic. The European Union has asked the European Cosmetics and Toiletry industry about these new findings and the implication for breast cancer. These preservatives are found in the vast majority of skin and body lotions, even in natural progesterone creams. Anything absorbed through the skin is 10 times the concentration of an oral dose.

Prevention:

Prevention of Xenoestrogens from entering our system can be done by either avoiding consumption of the very sources of Xenoestrogens if possible or by choosing organic and natural products for consumption. For example, consume organically grown produce and live stock only. Use cosmetics that are prepared without the use parabens.  Avoid usage of plastic products that contain Bisphenol-A and pthalates.

Broccoli, and in particular, the indole 3 carbinol (I3C) found in broccoli, interferes with xenoestrogens. I3C increases the good estrogen (2-hydroxyestrone) to bad estrogen (16-alpha-hydroxyestrone) ratio by increasing the detox enzyme CP450 in the liver.

Besides the food we consume the next biggest source of Xenoestrogens could be Cosmetics. Kassie (owner of Kasia Salon/Skin Care.) feels strongly that - what we put on our skin is a major result of our hormonal problems. Skin is the largest organ of the body, acting like a huge sponge. She says.  “Purely avoiding parabens, we’ve tagged our retail with broccoli seeds ready to  sprout or plant, yielding anti-cancer phytonutrient found in cruciferous vegetables, offering an abundance of Indole-3-carbinol (I3C)”.

About the Author: Kassandra Kuehl, a natural products hair stylist and health coach, and believes that it is important for women pay close attention to the ingredients in their hair, skin, and body care products. Her goal is to help you wake up to the power of the choices you make every day, and how those choices impact your health and well-being.

Kassandra  has many educational articles and info about her Organic Salon Services at www.KasiaOrganicSalon.com. Kasia Salon offers high-quality, natural skin care products to help improve your overall health of your skin, body, and soul! 

Environmental Estrogens Could Be Making You Sick

Xenoestrogens Wreak Havoc On Your 'Beautiful Health'

The article below is an important one, and truly does effect each of our lifestyles individually.  I've had my own  personal journey of being exposed to excess xenoestrogens, resulting in removing myself from the conventional salon industry and all  the chemicals/products used "in it" for so long (thankfully this birthed Kasia Salon).  Still today I am required to detox and rebuild the adrenal system due to toxicity and the havoc it does on the endocrince system long term. 

Please take a read below for more of an understanding of xenoestrogens, and their effect on your "Beautiful Health."

Before discussing xenoestrogens, it is important to note the relationship of estrogen and progesterone.  Estrogen (a group of hormones that, although in significantly higher levels in women, is also present in men) is basically a stimulant that promotes cell growth.  Progesterone (a hormone made by women in the ovaries and men in the testes) is the most protective hormone the body produces and keeps cell growth in check.  There is a delicate balance between estrogen and progesterone, and when that balance is disrupted, the effect is estrogen dominance.  To add to the problem most doctors are prescribing synthetic hormone replacement therapies that have been proven to cause serious health risks, including breast cancer and heart disease.  Do not be discouraged.

Xenoestrogens are man-made compounds that mimic hormones.  They were introduced into the environment by industrial, agricultural and chemical companies.  There are over 100,000 registered chemicals (99% of them are not adequately regulated) for use in the world that have hormonal effects in addition to toxic and carcinogenic effects.

Xenoestrogens cause estrogen dominance which in turn causes a multitude of health issues, including:

    * Breast cancer (the increasing rate of breast cancer in North America has nearly tripled since 1950)

    * Fibrocystic breasts

    * Autoimmune disorders (such as lupus and thyroiditis)

    * Increased blood clotting (increasing the risk of stroke)

    * Allergies (including asthma, hives, rashes, sinus congestion)

    * Acceleration of the aging process

    * Uterine cancer

    * Hair loss

    * Fat gain

    * Memory loss

    * Osteoporosis

    * Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

    * Prostate cancer

    * Thyroid dysfunction

    * Infertility

    * Decreased male sexual performance

    * Decreased sperm count

Xenoestrogens not only affect humans, but also affect our environment.  Several studies have found a feminization of males in every class of vertebrate animals from fish to mammals.  Aquatic animals are especially affected as they live in contaminated water.  Xenoestrogens, through pesticides and herbicides, are also found on the produce we eat.  Are you getting the picture yet?  This epidemic is life threatening as it is not only affecting our health but also affecting our food sources.

Some sources of xenoestrogens include:

    * Personal care products and cosmetics (Contain synthetic chemicals that are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and may be the worst culprit as they are applied on the skin and directly absorbed into the body.)

    * All artificial scents (air fresheners, perfumes, etc. contain phthalates)

    * Detergents (Contain many synthetic chemicals, such as diethanolamine (DEA), which is suspected of increasing the risk of cancer, and sodium hydroxide, which is very caustic and can burn eyes, skin and internal organs.)

    * Birth control pills and spermicides (Birth control pills promote continuously high levels of estrogen, and most spermicides contain nonoxynol-9 which breaks down into nonylphenol, a known xenoestrogen, and can increase the risk of infection.)

    * Commercially raised meat (Beef, chicken and pork are injected with growth hormones.)

    * Plastics, plastic bottles and plastic food wraps (Made with bisphenol-A, a compound used as a bonding agent to make plastics more stable and less breakable.  Several studies have shown bisphenol-A to have severe adverse health effects.)

    * Canned foods (Metal cans contain plastic linings with bisphenol-A to eliminate the metal taste in foods.)

    * Styrofoam cups (made of polystyrene, a by-product of petroleum)

    * Pesticides and herbicides (DDT was banned in the United States but it is still manufactured in the United States and shipped to Third World countries.  (Have you noticed from where a large portion of our produce is coming?)

    * Paints, lacquers and solvents

    * Industrial wastes

We are being attacked by xenoestrogens from everywhere.  In today’s world it is impossible to escape all of them.  But, there are several ways you can begin to eliminate them from your home:

    * Use organic personal care products (soaps, lotions, shampoos, deodorants, etc.)

    * Use organic cosmetics and naturally based perfumes

    * Use natural (bioidentical) progesterone instead of synthetic hormone replacement therapies (HRT) (You need to have your hormone levels checked before beginning any HRT program!)

    * Use condoms without spermicide instead of birth control pills

    * Use simple detergents with less chemicals, and don’t use fabric softeners as they put petrochemicals right onto your skin

    * Avoid air fresheners that contain phthalates

    * Avoid synthetic chemicals

    * Avoid meats that contain growth hormones

    * Buy organic produce that is grown without the use of pesticides, herbicides or synthetic fertilizers, and wash your food well

    * Use glass or ceramic to store food and water

    * Don’t use plastic goods, as all plastics leach into the environment

    * Don’t microwave food in plastic or styrofoam containers, and avoid using plastic wrap to cover food when microwaving

    * Use natural pest control, and eliminate all pesticides, herbicides and fungicides

Any changes you can make will not only increase your health and wellness, but will help to save our environment.  For a healthier alternative in health care, personal care, cleaning,  please visit www.kasiaorganicsalon.com, dedicated to promoting only those companies who produce truly natural products.

PROTECT YOURSELF NOW!

Here’s the deal—all of these estrogens, regardless of whether you get them from your environment or from yourself; you MUST get rid of them and you MUST protect yourself from them.

Stop in to Kasia Salon to learn more about chemical free & xenoestrogen free services as well as a wide variety of health, beauty, and supplement products that will help stay clear of harmful effects long term for you and your family! 

REFERENCES AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: WHI Follow-up Study Confirms Health Risks of Long-Term Combination Hormone Therapy Outweigh Benefits for Postmenopausal Women, Women’s Health Initiative, National Institutes of Health Xenoestrogens and Their Impact on Breast Cancer, Testicular Cancer, Male Fertility and General Human Health, Peter Merino Xenoestrogens and Women’s Health, Sandra Steinbraber and Kathryn Patton, Infertility Workshop

It is an epidemic and affects about 50% of Western women?

Estrogen Dominance is the result of excessive estrogen and progesterone deficiency. It affects about 50% of Western women. It is an epidemic of gigantic proportion. The primary causes are excessive environmental estrogen , obesity, stress, poor diet,  lack of exercise, and unopposed estrogen given as part of a hormone replacement therapy. Estrogen dominance is a major root cause of a myriad of conditions including PMS, endometriosis, cystic breast disease, PCOS, uterine fibroid, and breast cancer. Fortunately, the level of estrogen in our body can be reduced. Following the estrogen reduction protocol will go a long way to reduce the amount of estrogen in our body and curing women from the dreaded illness mentioned above.

Important Note:

In the female, a large part of the hormonal balance is controlled by the three major glands: the adrenal gland, the thyroid gland, and the ovaries. Maintaining a proper balance among these three glands  is of critical importance in any estrogen dominance recovery program. Excessive  estrogen affects both thyroid and adrenal function, and in turn, dysfunctional thyroid and adrenal fatigue makes estrogen dominance worse. They all go hand in hand. When not functioning properly, these three glands , controlling the majority of the hormones in the body,  can lead to a viscous downward cycle of hormonal imbalance. Worse yet is that conventional medicine often times are mislead into treating symptoms after symptoms without addressing the root cause. A wide variety of prescription from sleeping pills to anti-depressants are dispensed. Unfortunately, such symptom-based protocol will often make things worse instead of better.

Kasia Good Day Sunshine Sunsheild- VOID of XenoEstrogens!

Fact:  
Most sunscreens also contain parabens (hormone disrupters) and synthetic fragrances (contain up to 4,000 different chemicals, and can cause allergies and asthma). Extra precaution should be taken when applying chemical  sunscreens on children as they are less able to detoxify and excrete chemicals.

Can you give me some suggestions of what I may doing that is adding xenoestrogens in my life?

According to the Dartmouth University Study, plastic wrap heated in oil in a microwave oven contained 500,000 times the minimum amount of xenoestrogens needed to stimulate breast cancer cells to proliferate. Heating plastic wrap with food is very bad. Heat food in a ceramic bowl, cover it with a plate in the microwave oven. Coffee is a known phytoestrogen that exacerbates fibrocystic breast disease. Since it is a phytoestrogen, decaffeinated coffee may still be able to act as an estrogen. Laundry detergent cannot be fully rinsed out of the clothes and is absorbed through the skin. Change to health food store detergent without the alky phenols that mimic estrogen.

Anything that is put on the skin is absorbed directly into the body. Anything that is eaten is first pass metabolized by the liver. The liver can eliminate 90% of a prescription conjugated estrogen before it gets to the body. In contrast, an estrogen patch goes directly into the body bypassing the liver. Thus, the patch dose is 10 times less than the oral dose. Or put another way anything that is put on the skin is 10 times the oral dose.

Most skin creams contain methyl paraben, propyl paraben, or butyl paraben. The parabens are known xenoestrogens, and are now being investigated by the European Union as a contributor to breast cancer. Be very careful about what you put on your skin. Many of the cosmetics also contain these same preservatives as well.

AVOID XENO'S AND ENJOY EFFECTIVE, NATURAL SKIN CARE HERE!   

References:

http://www.holisticbeauty.net/progesterone_use_Q&A.htm

Recommended Reading

John R. Lee, M.D. with Virginia Hopkins What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause. The Breakthrough Book on Natural Progesterone. New York: Warner Books, 1996.

John R. Lee, M.D., Jesse Hanley M.D., and Virginia Hopkins, best selling authors of What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Premenopause. Warner Books, 1999.

PLEASE NOTE THAT DR. JOHN R. LEE HAS PASSED AWAY.