Outsider oestrogens
WOMEN'S WORLD By DR NOR ASHIKIN MOKHTAR
What you need to know about xenoestrogens.
IN ONE of my earlier
articles, I wrote about hormone imbalances in women. In the article, I
described how oestrogen dominance can lead to a lot of uncomfortable, and
sometimes, debilitating symptoms in women who suffer from chronic hormone
imbalance. I received a lot of feedback from women who were particularly
concerned about the issue of xenoestrogens, which I touched on briefly in the
article. Xenoestrogens are chemicals — mostly industrial compounds — that mimic
natural oestrogen when we are exposed to it through the use of these chemicals.
The presence of xenoestrogens in our daily lives is a cause for concern, as
they are believed to produce oestrogenic effects in our bodies and cause the
symptoms of oestrogen dominance, not only in women, but also in men and
children.
Foreign oestrogens
It comes as a surprise
to most people that oestrogens are not only found in our bodies, but are
present in some form in our environment as well. A lot of these chemicals are
found in our homes and workplaces, such as pesticides, detergents, petroleum
products, plastic products and cosmetics. These chemicals produce oestrogenic
effects in our bodies, compounding the imbalance of oestrogen against
progesterone, and causing the body to react by producing problematic symptoms. Oestrogen
dominance is thought to increase the risk of endometriosis, uterine fibroids,
polycystic ovaries, breast kanser, uterine kanser and thyroid imbalances.
Unfortunately, we live
in a world today where we cannot escape exposure to these xenoestrogens, as our
everyday habits and routines depend on a lot of industrial items. Even our
cleaning products, carpeting, furniture, toiletries and plastic products may
contain these compounds. I will explain more about some of the common products
containing xenoestrogens found in our daily lives, and how we can try to reduce
our exposure to these compounds.
Pesticides
Some of the pesticides,
herbicides, fungicides and fertilisers used in agriculture contain compounds
that have a chemical structure similar to oestrogen, and thus, are believed to
contribute to hormone imbalance. These xenoestrogen-containing pesticides find
their way onto our dinner table through fruits, vegetables, grains and animal
meats. The solution is not to cut out these foods completely, of course.
Instead, we just have to be more circumspect when doing our grocery shopping.
As much as possible, buy
organic produce and foods, because organic farming reduces the use of synthetic
pesticides and fertilisers, while using natural pest control and fertilisation.
If you are unsure of the origins of your food, be sure to clean them thoroughly
to rid them of any possible traces of pesticides. Wash and soak all your
produce, and discard the water before cooking or eating them. Try to use
natural pest control products and organic fertilisers in your own gardens. If
you must use chemicals at all, follow all the safety precautions, such as
wearing gloves and masks, and using very precise amounts. Store these products
away from your house, garden and water supply.
Plastics
Apart from being bad for
the environment, plastics are also getting a bad reputation for health because
of the components found in many plastic products. Two of the most notorious
compounds are Bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates, both of which have recently
appeared in the news. The Health Ministry recently banned polycarbonate baby
milk bottles containing BPA, while a number of Taiwanese food products were
taken off the shelves after they were found to contain diethylhexy phthalate
(DEHP).
Both BPA and phthalates
are believed to be xenoestrogens, and have been linked to many health problems.
BPA is not only found in polycarbonate plastic bottles, but also in the lining
of canned foods, which is worrying because the BPA could leach from the
containers into the foods. To reduce your exposure to BPA and other
xenoestrogens found in plastic products and canned foods, try to avoid using
plastics or buying canned foods.
Is this easier said than done?
If you make an effort,
you can do it. Instead of eating canned foods, buy frozen or fresh foods, or
foods in glass containers. Try to avoid buying food that uses plastic
packaging, or at least eliminate the use of plastic at home. Instead of buying
meat that is packaged in styrofoam trays and plastic wrap, buy fresh meat from
the market. If you do need to use plastic wrap, bags or containers for storing
food, look for plastic products that are BPA-free. Some plastic bottles and
containers have “#7” or “PC” on the bottom, which indicates that they may
contain BPA. Heat is thought to be a particularly bad combination with plastic,
as it can increase the leaching of BPA into food. So, do not microwave food in
plastic containers or store hot liquids in plastic boxes and bottles.
Food and drinks
Am I about to tell you
that even the food we eat every day could contain xenoestrogens? Well, this is
partly the case, although there are also some foods that are important in
helping us counter the effects of xenoestrogens. As we have seen above, foods
that are grown using synthetic pesticides and fertilisers, and animals that are
fed with these produce, have a high chance of containing xenoestrogens as these
compounds carry on into the food chain.
Certain foods also
contain oestrogen-like compounds, called phytoestrogens. These are plant-based
foreign oestrogens, but have a much weaker effect on the body, compared to
xenoestrogens. Examples of food containing phytoestrogens are soy products,
beans, whole grains, and dark green, leafy vegetables. There are different
opinions about the benefits of phytoestrogens on the body. Some experts believe
that phytoestrogens can protect the body from excessive oestrogen stimulation
by binding to oestrogen receptor sites, so that xenoestrogens cannot attach to
the receptors.
Other studies, however,
have shown that some phytoestrogens should not be taken excessively as they may
boost oestrogen levels in the body. A study on coffee consumption in women
found that drinking more than two cups of coffee daily may boost oestrogen
levels in women. The study suggests that such an imbalance in oestrogen could
exacerbate or increase the risk of conditions such as endometriosis and breast
pain.
Until there is
definitive evidence to support claims about the risks and benefits of
phytoestrogens, it would be best to eat everything in moderation. Do not drink
more than two cups of coffee per day, and eat a variety of foods, instead of
excessive amounts of one type of food. Be more conscious of the food, plastic
products and pest control products that you buy — it is the best way to ensure
that you are not damaging the sensitive hormone balance in your body.
Datuk Dr Nor Ashikin
Mokhtar is a consultant obstetrician & gynaecologist (FRCOG, UK). For
further information, visit www.primanora.com. The information provided is for educational and
communication purposes only and it should not be construed as personal medical
advice. Information published in this article is not intended to replace,
supplant or augment a consultation with a health professional regarding the
reader’s own medical care. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy,
completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content
appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses,
damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from
reliance on such information.
Ruj:
http://thestar.com.my/health/story.asp?file=/2012/6/24/health/11502663&sec=health
