SEARCH:
Sign in | Join | Help
search Mercola.com
 
FREE Subscription 
The World’s Most Popular Natural Health Newsletter
Synthetic Estrogens Wreak Havoc on Your Reproductive System

child, infant, toddler, plastic cup, BPAResearchers are developing a clearer understanding of why the synthetic estrogens found in many widely-used plastics can cause damage to a developing fetus, fertility problems, and vaginal and breast cancers.

Past research has shown that exposure to the synthetic estrogen diethylstilbestrol (DES) alters the expression of HOXA10, a gene necessary for uterine development, while increasing the risk of cancer and pregnancy complications. By studying the DNA of the offspring of 30 pregnant mice injected with DES, researchers found changes in certain regions of the HOXA10 gene that continued beyond the time of development and persisted into adulthood.

This indicates that exposure to DES and similar substances results in lasting genetic memory, known as "imprinting,” which is actually changing the structure of the HOXA10 gene.

Though DES is no longer on the market, pregnant women are frequently exposed to similar substances with estrogen-like properties, such as Bisphenol-A (BPA).

Sources:

Dr. Mercola''s Comments Dr. Mercola's Comments:

Chemicals like DES (which is no longer on the market) and BPA (which is widely used), exhibit hormone-like properties and imitate the effects of naturally occurring estrogens.

In one study, researchers began to study BPA after normal mice began to display genetic abnormalities that are typically uncommon. The defects were linked to plastic cages and water bottles that had been cleaned with a harsh detergent, causing BPA to leak from the plastic. Even extremely low levels of the compound produced genetic abnormalities in the mice, and in humans BPA may be linked to:
  • Long-term fertility problems
  • Earlier sexual development in females
  • Decreased sperm count
  • Increases in neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD and autism
  • Breast and prostate cancers
  • Childhood obesity
This chemical is so widely used -- industry uses more than 6 billion pounds of BPA a year -- that a study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found BPA in the urine of 93 percent of the people they tested.

It’s used primarily in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins, which are used to coat metal products such as food cans, bottle tops, and water supply pipes. BPA is also present in some dental sealants and tooth coatings.

Why are the Health Risks Still Being Debated?

In 2007, the National Toxicology Program’s Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction convened a 12-member panel to review the risks of BPA. Well, the panel expressed “some concern” that exposure to BPA in utero, and for infants and children, causes neural and behavioral effects.

Well, some concern is way too much, in my opinion. I personally avoid BPA as much as possible, and consider it an absolute necessity for children and pregnant women to stay away from this chemical.

This is because BPA leeches from plastic into your foods and beverages quite easily. And if those containers are old, scratched, worn down from harsh chemicals and dishwashers or heated in a microwave, they are likely leeching even higher levels of BPA than normal.

Fortunately, it seems many of you health-conscious parents out there are refusing to use BPA-containing baby products -- and are prompting some changes in the industry. According to this AP article, for instance, Babies “R” Us reported that their sales of glass baby bottles increased five times from a year ago, and one manufacturer of glass bottles said that sales increased by more than 100 percent between 2006 and 2007, and continue to climb in 2008.

This is only the tip of the iceberg of what can happen when you demand healthier products for your family -- if sales become impacted enough, manufacturers will respond by taking the suspect chemical out.

BPA is still widely used, though, in products that you may have in your home right now. The following tips will help you to not only reduce your exposure to BPA, but also to other dangerous plastics chemicals that are out there.

10 Tips to Reduce Your Exposure to BPA

1. Only use glass baby bottles and dishes for your baby (and yourself)

2. Give your baby natural fabric toys instead of plastic ones

3. Store your food and beverages in glass -- NOT plastic -- containers

4. IF you choose to use a microwave, don’t microwave food in a plastic container

5. Stop buying and consuming canned foods and drinks

6. Avoid using plastic wrap (and never microwave anything covered in it)

7. Get rid of your plastic dishes and cups, and replace them with glass varieties

8. If you opt to use plastic kitchenware, at least get rid of the older, scratched-up varieties, avoid putting them in the dishwasher, and don’t wash them with harsh detergents, as these things can cause more chemicals to leach into your food

9. Avoid using bottled water; filter your own using a reverse osmosis filter instead

10. Before allowing a dental sealant to be applied to your, or your children’s, teeth, ask your dentist to verify that it does not contain BPA

In the event that you do opt to use plastic containers for your food, be sure to avoid those marked on the bottom with the recycling label No. 7, as these varieties may contain BPA.

Containers marked with the recycling labels No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4 do not contain BPA (however they may contain other unsavory chemicals that you’re best off avoiding by using glass instead). If in doubt, remember this handy saying from The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy:

"With your food, use 4, 5, 1 and 2. All the rest aren't good for you."


Related Links:



Comment on This Article Community Comments (38)
 
 
Posted On Apr 15, 2008

Wow...very intersting. I had no clue - this is good to know. I will make sure my wife also reads this so we can eliminate anything sythetic [estrogen] from the house. I cannot believe we live like this - I cannot believe everything that is unsafe for us has become "mainstream". That is just unbelievable. Now if we dont look out for ourselves, apparent the FDA and other gov't agencies, and manufaturers aren't will continue to fill our bodies and our household with junk that will make us even more unhealthy.

Thank you all for the insight from your comments and from the article.


 
Nii
Novice User Novice User, Joined On 4/2008
Nii  
Replied

HeatherM
Novice User Novice User Joined On 6/2006
HeatherM  
 
Posted On Apr 21, 2008

Yes, and sometimes I wonder if science is of much value. It has damaged our health, through the chemical & food industry, in frightening ways.  


 
 
 
Posted On Apr 15, 2008

So, I'm really supposed to feed my 18 month old out of a glass container?! I have been reusing my raw butter container to feed her out of. She is independent and enjoys feeding herself, but at her age she occasionally drops her "bowl" on the tile floor. If it were glass, it would break! She nursed until 13 months old, no need for bottles. I could only find plastic sippy cups for the longest time. Then lo and behold, while shopping at Target one day, I wandered into the thermos isle and came across an insulated stainless steel sippy cup!!! It was pricey, but it wasn't plastic or BREAKABLE!!! Yeah!!! Too bad it wasn't in the baby section where more parents could see it. I've told everyone about them. It is made by Thermos and is called Foogo or Foogoo, not sure.

I avoid plastic containers as much as possible, but when you have a baby/toddler give me a break!(No, not literally!) I have had her break glass in the past, that is why I am so leary. I use my best judgement, after all she is so special to me.

Also, to touch on the DES subject. While I was pregnant with her I worked in a veterinary hospital. The Dr routinely prescribed DES for dogs. I was the receptionist/pharmacist, so I came in contact with lots of meds. I sure wish I knew all the things I know now back then! I used gloves as much as possible, but not always (not a requirement).

Thanks Dr M, I'm so glad I found you!


 
TCarmichall
Novice User Novice User, Joined On 7/2007
TCarmichall  
 
 
 
Posted On Apr 15, 2008

Line plastic dishes with wax paper, freeze the food, then take out wrap it totally in waxpaper then place in freezer bags?That way you can ensure uniform shapes and portions. Mason canning jars  & glas container are ok, but add a heck a lot of weight to shelves. That is what I started doing, as we have been weened off non plastics for decades.

In all this hoopla about water in plastic bottles in the MSM, how come no one talks about the massive&  thick soda and juice bottles that have been filling our landfills for decades? Could it be the fluoride lobby fighting back, not enough of us being 'dumbered' down fast enough?


 
themikeb
Apprentice User Apprentice User, Joined On 2/2007
themikeb  
Replied

carley44
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 11/2007
carley44  
 
Posted On Apr 16, 2008

You are right on! Not only is fluoride used to dumb us down, it makes us COMPLACENT. Has anyone ever thought about why a product was created that mimicks ESTROGEN and not TESTOSTERONE? Think about it? Do scientists that work for the plastics/chemical/ big corporate companies really NOT know what they are doing? Why not testosterone? That would cause more aggression and maybe people would not be so easy to manipulate. I am not knocking females here, I am saying more estrogen makes a population easier to manipulate. Think about it.



Pat Ormsby
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 6/2006
Pat Ormsby  
 
Posted On Apr 17, 2008

You have a good point, Carley.  The Tokugawa government of Japan (1604-1860s) deliberately forbade foods which they thought would cause the public to become contentious, such as garlic.  During the same time, eating tofu became more prevalent, and I think it accounts for certain cultural characteristics of the Japanese to this day.  I wish I had the references on hand, but a decade ago I read about group behavior among men in Japan, and how they form agreements.  At the same time, there was a lot of literature on how men and women in Western society differ in their ways of communicating (Women are from Venus, Men are from Mars).  I was struck with how feminine Japanese society was over all.  But who am I to complain?!!  I benefit every day from living in a peaceful society with a sense of egalitarianism.  I think if food shortages come to Japan (as is happening elsewhere now), there will not be many riots, but rather, everyone will sit down and determine who gets to eat how much and what to do so that no one has to suffer too severely.  This is nice.


 
 
 
Posted On Apr 02, 2008
Being exposed to environmental estrogens interferes with the body's ability to utilize it's own estrogen (these environmental estrogens can sit in the body where our own naturally produced estrogens should be).  This could potentially explain any condition that is estrogen related, including osteoporosis.  Plus, how many women are taking estrogen in their post-menopausal years??  Does this make sense??  Shouldn't we be able to age gracefully?

 
HealthCoachSandraG
Apprentice User Apprentice User, Joined On 3/2008
HealthCoachSandraG  
Replied

HeatherM
Novice User Novice User Joined On 6/2006
HeatherM  
 
Posted On Apr 21, 2008

Women have now been alerted to the dangers of taking long term estrogen. Women taking it only use it to relieve awful symptoms like hot flushes etc., and the advice is not to take it more than 5 years. I personally would never touch it!


 
 
 
Posted On Apr 02, 2008
Xenohormones are causing enormous reproductive problems for men and women alike. Estrogen dominance causes progesterone deficiency. Some of the problems linked to estrogen deficiency are:
1-Breast and uterine cancers more frequently and at earlier ages
2-Early miscarriage and infertility
3-Breast fibrocysts are more common
4-PMS
5-Osteoporosis is more common and more severe
6-Fat and water retention
7-Autoimmune disorders like lupus and Sjogren's
8-Undersized penises and undescended testes in boys
9-50% lower sperm count in men
10-Change in sexual orientation

Suggestions on how to limit xenoestrogen exposure:
1-Eliminate all pesticides including house sprays, lawn and garden sprays
2-Eliminate or decrease consumption of foods contaminated with these chemicals, like meat, milk, and coffee.  Eat organic.
3-Avoid exposure to solvents, and other petro-based personal care products likecosmetics and soaps. Finger nail polish and remover contains xenoestrogens Do not store or heat foods with plastic.
4-Don't wear plastic clothing, like polyester.  Don't use air freshners, scented laundry soap and fabric softeners.
5- Avoid all synthetic sex hormones.
6-Wood and tile floors are better than carpet and wood laminate.  The glues and solvents emit toxic molecules for years.

 
curlilox
Savvy User Savvy User, Joined On 8/2007
curlilox  
Replied

FeeBird
Novice User Novice User Joined On 11/2007
FeeBird  
 
Posted On Apr 15, 2008

Very interesting and informative.... I had a question about plastic water bottles.. I've used them my whole life and repeatedly...

What can you use to put water in? Nalgene has a terrible plastic taste and glass bottles break so easily?  What do all you mercola people use?

Stainless steel?? I think this plastic thing explains my inability for my liver to process estrogens....I'm a walking estrogen ball... I cant even eat certain vegetables that are high in estrogens... i feel it immediately... Any kind of meat or dairy product puffs me up and so does any flax or fish oil.. can I get some feedback from any caring person out there??



Hathorhetep
Novice User Novice User Joined On 10/2006
Hathorhetep  
 
Posted On Apr 15, 2008

It's good to remember that wool, cotton, or rayon carpets do not emit the gases that nylon or other artificial fibers do.  The subtle fumes can cause headaches and other reactions that impair thinking processes, and can cause allergic reactions in people who don't know the source of their irritation.  I use natural fiber area rugs or throw rugs in the winter for spots in my home, and they are not a problem.

Wooden, terracotta, or tile floors are great.  If a decorator or landlord talks to you about new floors, go for the wood.  Grade B oak is almost as nice as grade A, and less money because of the occasional knot or 'imperfect' grain pattern.  Do not use Wolmanized wood indoors!!!



saynotoquacks
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 4/2007
saynotoquacks  
 
Posted On Apr 15, 2008

FeeBird, I use a glass Thermos for water--it's a bit cumbersome but much healthier.  As for your strange reactions to supplements, I am allergic to MSG and usually can't tolerate gelatin capsules (which contain MSG) or the additives.


 
 
 
 
© Copyright 2009 Dr. Joseph Mercola. All Rights Reserved. If you want to use this article on your site please click here. This content may be copied in full, with copyright, contact, creation and information intact, without specific permission, when used only in a not-for-profit format. If any other use is desired, permission in writing from Dr. Mercola is required.
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your physician before using this product.