Xenoestrogens and Cancer growth
Xenoestrogens: Hormone Disrupting Compounds Linked to Cancer Growth
Xenoestrogens are a group of environmental chemicals, which mimic estrogen in the body. Excessive estrogen levels, either natural or synthetic, promote the growth of cancer cells. This is why xenoestrogens have been linked to the development and promotion of hormonally sensitive cancers, include those of the reproductive system, breast, lung, kidney, pancreas, and brain. As of 2003 there were over 160 xenoestrogens that may be involved in breast cancer development.
What can you do about it?
Step #1 – Minimize and Avoid Exposure
As part of a hormonal balancing and cancer prevention plan, it is paramount to consider reducing the exposure to these compounds that contribute to detrimental estrogenic activity in the body. The following are 2 simple but powerful ways to reduce your xenoestrogen exposure.
1) Avoid plastic cups and food containers – most plastics contain a compound called Bisphenol A (BPA). It is released when liquids or foods are heated, cooled or stored in plastic. BPA has been linked to promoting obesity in children, causing infertility, disrupting genes and stimulating the growth of cancer cells.3 Specifically in cancer, even the amount of BPA from one plastic cup is potent enough to make chemotherapy less effective due to its estrogenic action in the body.
a. What to avoid: Plastic food containers (especially hard plastics), plastics water bottles, the inside lining of cans, thermal paper (receipts) and other plastics. Especially do not heat, microwave or freeze any plastics since this causes more BPA to be released.
b. Healthy alternatives: glass or ceramic food containers, glass or stainless steel water bottles, containers that are “BPA-free.”
2) Avoid commercial cosmetics, creams, cleaners and perfumes – most topical products and liquids used for cleaning contain compounds that can easily be absorbed through your skin and disrupt your hormones. One of the most detrimental ingredients are parabens and phthalates which are added to many creams and cosmetics as preservatives and thickeners. They both have been associated with hormonal changes such as lower sperm count, birth defects, obesity, diabetes, thyroid irregularities and cancer growth. Parabens are fairly easy to identify since the name usually contains the word “paraben” in it (i.e. methylparaben, ethylparaben). Phthalates are more difficult to pick out and they often are one of the ingredients in the catch all term “fragrance.” Since fragrance is a secret formula, companies do not need to disclose the exact ingredients, which means that harmful compounds are most likely still in the product.
a. What to avoid: cosmetics, lips balms, shampoo, creams, perfumes, cleaning products and detergents that contain parabens and phthalates. To check your specific products the following free online resource: www.ewg.org/skindeep/, www.ewg.org/guides/cleaners
b. Healthy alternatives: look for products that do not contain the aforementioned chemicals. Use cosmetics that are paraben, sulfate, phthalate, and fragrance free. Avoid using synthetic air fresheners, perfumes and cleaners. Use vinegar, baking soda and lemon juice as household cleaners. Use essential oil and plant based cosmetics.
c. Beware: anti-bacterial produces such as hand soap and toothpaste. They contain the compound called Triclosan, which causes allergies, disrupts hormones, and promotes cancer growth. The FDA has already put out a warning and Europe has banned it but you can still buy it in Canada.
Step #2 – Support Healthy Elimination and Detoxification
Many people know that the liver is one of the most important detoxification organs however it is also responsible for the healthy elimination of hormones as well as toxins. To eliminate harmful environmental toxins and xenoestrogens we need to support the both phase one and phase two liver elimination pathways and also make sure that our intestinal elimination is regular and complete. The following are simple ways to promote healthy elimination of xenoestrogens:
1. Stay hydrated – Water also flushes out excess waste that builds up around the cells and can impair cellular communication and elimination. Adequate water intake lubricates our bowels, which helps to prevent constipation and maintains regular intestinal elimination. The goal for most is to drink 4 large glasses of water a day (approx. 2 L).
2. Broccoli and broccoli sprouts - Cruciferous vegetables are perhaps the food group that has shown the most powerful anti-cancer effect. Broccoli and broccoli sprouts are the vegetables with the highest levels of these beneficial compounds. For optimal effect they should be eaten raw (heat inactivates this enzyme) and chewed well so the enzyme that activates the anti-cancer component is released.
3. Flaxseed - Flaxseeds are well-known as a source of omega 3 and dietary fibre but now recent research suggests that they have unique and direct anti-cancer properties such as preventing the growth of new blood vessels. The impact of fibre is especially important in hormonally sensitive cancers such as breast and prostate cancer because fibre can bind hormonal products excreted from the liver and ensure they are eliminated rather than be re-absorbed in the digestive tract. Ground flaxseeds provide a great source of inexpensive fibre plus hormone balancing properties.
4. Antioxidants – Every cell in our body uses antioxidants to protect itself from damage but the liver has the highest requirements in order to support both phases of detoxification. Colourful fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidant compounds so they should be included in your daily diet. Studies have now shown that for cancer prevention variety (i.e. different colours) is even more important that quantity. Aim for at least 9 different colours of fruits and veggies daily.
5. Herbal support –. Consult your Naturopathic doctor which detox product is right for you especially if you have been diagnosed with cancer or on any other medications. There many different options and some are better suited to certain people especially if they are on chemotherapy or have cancer.
Cancer causing compounds and xenoestrogens surround us on a daily basis so we should look at every source of exposure in our homes and workplace. This process can be overwhelming, especially if you have never looked into some of the chemicals that may be hidden in products you have been using for years. The best advise is to start to change your environment slowly and make small, manageable changes.
The first step to protecting yourself is to learn what are the ways that these compounds enter our bodies and then minimize or avoid those things. The second is to promote their removal from your body by supporting your own elimination pathways. The good news is that there are great resources available online and with the help of you naturopathic doctor you can make the process of eliminating harmful substances easier.
· Fucic et al. Environmental exposure to xenoestrogens and oestrogen related cancers: reproductive system, breast, lung, kidney, pancreas, and brain. Environ Health. 2012 Jun 28;11 Suppl 1:S8.
· Brody and Rudel. Review Environmental pollutants and breast cancer. Environ Health Perspect. 2003 Jun; 111(8):1007-19.
· Lapensee EW, Tuttle TR, Fox SR, Ben-Jonathan N. Bisphenol A at low nanomolar doses confers chemoresistance in estrogen receptor-alpha-positive and -negative breast cancer cells. Environ Health Perspect. 2009 Feb;117(2):175-80.
· Crinnion WJ. Toxic effects of the easily avoidable phthalates and parabens. Altern Med Rev. 2010 Sep;15(3):190-6.
