Estrogens or oestrogen ,are a group of compounds named for their importance in the estrous cycle of humans and other animals. They are the primary female sex hormones. Natural estrogens are steroid hormones, while some synthetic ones are non-steroidal. The name comes from the Greek οἶστρος (oistros), literally meaning "gadfly" but figuratively sexual passion or desire, and the suffix -gen, meaning "producer of".
The three major naturally occurring estrogens in women are estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), and estriol (E3).
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| Estriol. Note two hydroxyl (-OH) groups attached to the D ring (rightmost ring). |
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| Estradiol. Note one hydroxyl group attached to the D ring. The 'di' refers both to this hydroxyl and the one on the A ring (leftmost). |
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| Estrone. Note the ketone (=O) group attached to the D ring. |
Estrogens are synthesized in all vertebrates as well as some insects. Their presence in both vertebrates and insects suggests that estrogenic sex hormones have an ancient evolutionary history.
Nonsteroidal, a range of synthetic and natural substances have been identified that also possess estrogenic activity.Synthetic substances of this kind are known as xenoestrogens.Plant products with estrogenic activity are called phytoestrogens.Those produced by fungi are known as mycoestrogens.
Phytoestrogens, functioning as the primary female sex hormone (estrogen) not generated within the endocrine system but consumed by eating phytoestrogenic plants. Their name comes from the Greek phyto = plant and estrogen, the hormone which gives fertility to the female mammals. The word "estrus" -Greek οίστρος- means sexual desire
and "gene" -Greek γόνο- is "to generate"). It has been proposed that
plants use the phytoestrogens as part of their natural defence against
the overpopulation of the herbivore animals by controlling the male
fertility.
Phytoestrogens mainly belong to a large group of substituted natural phenolic compounds: the coumestans, prenylated flavonoids and isoflavones are three of the most active in estrogenic effects in this class.
Following are some of the strongest phytoestrogen containing substances:
- Soy
- Black Cohosh
- Chasteberry
- Dong Quai
- Red Clover
- Caffeine
Mycoestrogens are estrogens produced by fungi. The most important mycoestrogen is zearalenone, produced by Fusarium species of fungi.
Xenoestrogens, a group of chemicals present in
the environment and the products we use every day, mimic the effects of
estrogen and compromise normal hormone function. Combined with the
estrogen naturally produced by the body, these foreign chemicals create
an excess of estrogen.
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| These are environmental man made chemicals which contaminate our diets every day, for the whole of our lives. These contaminants have oestrogenic properties either because they have chemical structure similar to oestrogen or affect the sex hormone activity in an indirect pathway. There are concerns that they can increase the risks of hormone sensitive benign diseases such as fibroid and endometriosis, reduce fertility in men and cancers such as testicular cancer, breast or uterus. There is also a concern that they may increase the risk of relapse following treatment for breast cancer especially if it was ER positive (sensitive to oestrogen). |
Since we know that breast cancer develops in the
presence
of estrogen maintained over a prolonged period of time, this puts both
women and men at risk for developing the disease.
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| Bisphenol -A , plastic xenoestrogen used in water bottles note the phenolic A rings on both sides |
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| BPA (which hardens plastic) is found most commonly in water bottles, but also baby bottles (and baby toys), most plastic kitchenware, and is also used to line cans of tinned food as well as many milk and juice containers. And whilst it’s true that heat combined with plastic causes the most toxic damage, the truth is that anything housed in plastic will be absorb xenoestrogens in some amount. In fact – and this one freaked me out big time - if you’re thinking that drinking bottled water is not so bad as long as you don’t let the water heat up, think again. According to a client who works for Coca-Cola, all bottled water (and, I’m guessing, all bottled beverages) is hot poured. They do this to kill bacteria. Awesome. |
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| It is difficult to quantify our exposure to oestrogenic pollutants - they are present in the air, what we drink, eat and put on our skin. Some products may have small amounts and others have a great deal, varying by class of product and brand. We may use some or them rarely but use others every day. |
Research shows that xenoestrogens are not only linked to high rates
of breast cancer, but also contribute to endometriosis, precocious
puberty (unusually early onset of puberty), infertility, and
miscarriages. In men, xenoestrogens are believed to contribute to
decreased sperm counts, and prostate and testicular cancers. Other
health problems such as thyroid disorders, diabetes, and behavioral
abnormalities in children, may also be linked to xenoestrogens
interfering with the estrogens naturally produced by the body.
Identifying chemicals shown to have estrogenic effects:- Alkylphenol
- Atrazine (weedkiller)
- 4-Methylbenzylidene camphor (4-MBC) (sunscreen lotions)
- Butylated hydroxyanisole / BHA (food preservative)
- Bisphenol A (monomer for polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resin; antioxidant in plasticizers)
- Chlorine and chlorine by-products
- Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (one of the breakdown products of DDT)
- Dieldrin (insecticide)
- DDT (insecticide)
- Endosulfan (insecticide)
- Erythrosine / FD&C Red No. 3
- Ethinylestradiol (combined oral contraceptive pill)
- Heptachlor (insecticide)
- Lindane / hexachlorocyclohexane (insecticide)
- Metalloestrogens (a class of inorganic xenoestrogens)
- Methoxychlor (insecticide)
- Nonylphenol and derivatives (industrial surfactants; emulsifiers for emulsion polymerization; laboratory detergents; pesticides)
- Pentachlorophenol (general biocide and wood preservative)
- Polychlorinated biphenyls / PCBs (in electrical oils, lubricants, adhesives, paints)
- Parabens (methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben and butylparaben commonly used as preservatives in personal care products)
- Phenosulfothiazine (a red dye)
- Phthalates (plasticizers)
- DEHP (plasticizer for PVC)
- Propyl gallate
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| Estrogen gets into our food and other things we use that causes us to be exposed to excess estrogen. It’s not possible in our heavily polluted world to avoid all estrogen and chemicals, so we need to take all possible protections. |
Guidelines to minimize your personal exposure to xenoestrogens:
Avoid
1. Do not heat food or water with plastic in the microwave. Do not drink hot liquids in foam styrofoam cups or receptacles.
2. Change your laundry detergent because it cannot be fully washed from
the clothes and can be absorbed through the skin. Do NOT use dryer
sheets or fabric softener.
3. Do not use anything on the skin with parabens or phenoxyethanol in
them. This includes shampoo, soap, makeup, hand lotion, body lotion, and
toothpaste. Oral substances are 90% filtered by the liver.
Skin-absorbed substances are 100% absorbed by the body, thus, a skin
dose is 10 times an oral dose.
4. Avoid coffee. Avoid decaf coffee. No caffeine. No tea. No colas. Caffeine increases estradiol levels by 70%!
5. No sunflower oil, no safflower oil, no cottonseed oil, no canola oil. (Guess that leaves olive oil).
6. Avoid shampoos that are “rich in hormones” and have estrogen added to them.
7. Avoid estrogenic herbs especially TOPICALLY such as sage and rosemary. (Good to know coming up on Thanksgiving!)
8. Avoid weak estrogens such as soy and ground flax seed.
9. Many sunscreens are estrogenic. Use a hat and long sleeved shirt.
10. Use cosmetics with minerals or grapefruit seed extract as a preservative.
Some more don'ts:
- Avoid all pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides. Wash your food well to rid the pesticides. Bathe the washed food in a produce wash or ozonated water for 20 minutes before cooking.
- Have a good water filter for your source of water.
- Use only organic based whole foods when you can. Buy hormone free meats and dairy products where possible.
- Avoid plastic goods - they leach into the environment.
- Do not microwave food in plastic containers, and especially avoid the use of plastic wrap to cover food for microwaving.
- Use glass or ceramics whenever possible to store food.
- Do not leave plastic containers, especially your drinking water, in the sun.
- If a plastic water container has heated up significantly, throw it away - do not drink the water either.
- Don't use fabric softeners as it puts petrochemicals right on your skin.
- Use a simple laundry and dish detergent with less chemicals.
- Use organic soaps and toothpastes. Avoid fluoride.
- Avoid creams and cosmetics that have toxic chemicals and estrogenic ingredients such as parabens and stearal konium chloride. Switch to more natural products. Cheap brands usually have more toxic ingredients.
- Avoid nail polish and nail polish removers.
- Use only naturally based perfumes. Most perfumes are petrochemically based.
- Avoid surfactants found in many condoms and diaphragm gels.
- Avoid new carpet - it can give off noxious fumes.
- Avoid X-rays as much as possible.
- Be aware of noxious gas such as that from copiers and printers, carpets, fiberboards, etc. Computer monitors can emit a high level of electromagnetic force (EMF). Read about the Aulterra Neutralizer for preventing EMF damage.
#Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace the advice
of a licensed medical doctor.
#Estrogen chemical structure and pictures thankfully shared from wikipedia.org, cancernet.co.uk,
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