Let’s talk for a moment about xenoestrogens and how it impacts on thyroid disorder.
When working with the thyroid, decreasing the amount of xenoestrogen exposure is one of key things we tackle, because they can be the cause of increased thyroid symptoms as they tend to block thyroid uptake. Our pituitary is telling our thyroid to make hormones, and then the body needs to convert these hormones. But with xenoestrogens, they get in the way and block the hormone.
Additionally, xenoestrogens cause hormone imbalances, bloating, fluid retention, swelling, fibrocystic lumps, irregular periods, mood swings, headaches and weight gain.
When we have excess fat that we can’t shift very easily, it is our body doing its job to protect us. It stores these harmful molecules – like xenoestrogens from plastics – inside your fat cells. And when we start to detox, these molecules are being released out of the cells ready to be processed – which is why we can start to feel quite sick. On top of that, if our liver is sluggish, overloaded, or if you have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or anything else going on there, you probably aren’t going to cope as well as you could.
Common places that xenoestrogens can hide are in:
- Plastics
- Household chemicals and cleaning products
- Sanitary products
- Nail polish and removers
- Perfumes
- Paints
- Carpets
- Wall hangings
- Fabrics
- Plus many more.
We really need to start looking at what is in our homes and bathrooms. What are you washing your hair with? Putting on your skin? Brushing your teeth with? Are you drinking out of plastic bottles or glass or stainless steel? What are your storage containers made of? Do you eat foods from cans that may not be BPA free? Do you heat plastic food containers using the microwave? What products do you use to clean with?
Sounds depressing and overwhelming right?
Take small steps.
Reduce you plastic use, clean with vinegar or methylated spirits, use wax wraps or paper bags, handkerchiefs instead of tissues, etc.
Focus on being the healthiest person we can be, look at different lifestyle and homeware options, and give the liver the nutrients it needs to really detox these xenoestrogens, then we are able to process them out of our system.
