Xenoestrogen Exposure​

Xenoestrogens are synthetic or natural foreign substances that mimic endogenous estrogens by imperfectly binding to the body’s estrogen receptors. (33) They are able to alter gene expression and cellular function through the initiation of various signaling cascades. (45) Chronic exposure to xenoestrogens obtained through the environment, the diet, and other sources such as product packaging, can impact human health. (33)

Xenoestrogens are widely referred to as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). EDCs can interrupt natural production, action, and elimination of natural hormones. (33)  Xenoestrogens are associated with a wide variety of health concerns, including obesity, diabetes, asthma, cancer, altered hormonal and immune functions, and disrupted neurodevelopment. Exposure to xenoestrogens can have important implications during pregnancy and lactation, as EDCs may transfer from mother to fetus or to breastfeeding children. (33)(45)

The following list provides some of the contributing sources of xenoestrogens: 

• Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
• By-products from food preservatives (e.g., butylated hydroxyanisole) and industrial surfactants (e.g., alkylphenols)
• By-products from plastics (e.g., bisphenol A (BPA) in water and food packaging, thermal coating on paper receipts, inner linings in food cans, dental repair materials, etc.)
• Consumption of fish, animals, and/or their by-products exposed to water contaminated by urban sewage or wastewater treatment plants
• Dietary phytoestrogens (e.g., genistein, daidzein, resveratrol, S-equol) 
• Mycoestrogens (e.g., mycotoxins produced from some fungal strains found in the food chain)
• Pesticides (e.g., dieldrin, endosulfan), herbicides (e.g., chlordecone, methoxychlor), dioxins (e.g., 2,3,7,8-tetrachloro-p-dioxin – TCDD)
• Pharmaceuticals (e.g., ethinyl estradiol, equine, mestranol, tamoxifen, trenbolone)
• Personal care products (e.g., containing butylparaben, ethylparaben, methylparaben)
• UV filters in sunscreens and cosmetic products (e.g., benzophenone-2, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor) (22)(24)(33)(45)

It is important to note that compared to other xenoestrogens, phytoestrogens do not bioaccumulate as they are reliably metabolized and excreted from the body. They may provide various health benefits including the promotion of antioxidant activity, cardiovascular health, and pro-apoptotic effects. However, they can also alter estrogen synthesis and metabolism through tissue-specific agonistic or antagonistic action. (22)

Please note that the following ingredients may either support estrogen production or increase its metabolism to counteract the disruptive effects of xenoestrogens caused by EDC’s interference with estrogen receptors. Practitioners may need to pre-emptively determine the direction of estrogenic imbalance prior to initiating a specific ingredient protocol.