Environmental Estrogen Mimickers, Breast Cancer

According to conventional medicine, hormones, like estrogen, are the cause of women’s breast cancer. Accordingly, pharmaceutical companies have created hormone-suppressing drugs such as Tamoxifen and Anastrozole. However, merely examining one’s hormone levels and nothing else is a mistake because there are other environmental factors which are imperative to investigate: phytoestrogens, xenoestrogens, and metalloestrogens. In this article, we will examine phytoestrogens, xenoestrogens, and metalloestrogens, specifically where they are in the envionment, discuss good and bad estrogens in your body, and investigate the importance of balanced estrogen levels.

Phytoestrogens, Xenoestrogens, Metalloestrogens

Beginning with phytoestrogens, there are three types: isoflavonoids, lignans, and coumestans.

  • Isoflavonoids can be found in beans from the legume family, specifically soybeans.
  • Lignans can be found in high fiber foods such as cereal brans, beans, and flaxseeds.
  • Coumestans can be found in various beans such as split peas, pinto beans, and lima beans as well as alfalfa and clover sprouts.

 

Of all of these sources, soybeans, by far, have the most phytoestrogens. Over time, isoflavonoids from soybeans can build up and have a significant cumulative estrogenic effect, especially when they are exposed to sensitive estrogen receptor sites such as the breast, uterus, and thyroid. As a result, individuals who have issues related to estrogen dominance, it would be recommended not to use soy-based products or consume soybeans.

Similar to phytoestrogens, xenoestrogens are a type of xenohormone that imitate estrogen and are consistently linked to increased cancer risk [1] [2] [3] [4]. Xenoestrogens are found in the environment as chemicals that mimic estrogen, and if your liver does not break these chemicals down correctly or if you are not methylating them properly, you could be at a higher risk of breast cancer.

Below is a list of come chemical estrogens that may lead to an increased chance of breast cancer [5]:

  • Pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides
  • Plastic goods
  • Creams and cosmetics that have toxic chemicals and estrogenic ingredients such as parabens and stearalkonium chloride
  • Nail polish and nail polish removers
  • Surfactants found in many condoms and diaphragm gels
  • New carpet
  • X-rays
  • Fluoride
  • Leaving plastic containers, especially those containing drinking water, in the dun
  • Fabric softeners
  • Microwaving food in plastic containers
  • Noxious gas from copiers, printers, carpets, fiberboards, etc.
  • Computer monitors, TVs, etc. (items which emit high levels of electromagnetic fields.)

 

Also, there are metals in the environment called metalloestrogens which are also estrogen mimickers. These metals include aluminum, antimony, arsenite, barium, cadmium, chromium (Cr(II)), cobalt, copper, lead, mercury, nickel, selenite, tin, and vanadate [7]. These metals have been shown to add to the oestrogenic burden of the human breast, which, again, could lead to an increased risk of breast cancer [7].

Not All Estrogens are Bad

While, xenoestrogens and estrogen mimickers, in general, can lead to the buildup of the aggressive estrogens estrone and estradiol which have been linked to obesity and weight gain, which can lead to an increased risk of breast cancer [6].

However, unlike estrone and estradiol, the estrogen in the form of estriol is not a bad form of estrogen. Jonathan Wright, MD explained, “Estriol is a fully detoxified estrogen.” Wright continued with the following explanation:

“This was demonstrated in an unpublished 35- to 40-year prospective case-cohort study funded by the Department of Defense.10 This analysis compared 15,000 women who had pregnancies between 1959 and 1967. The women, who all belonged to the same health plan in California, had samples of their serum frozen for 30 years or more. In 1997, the researchers thawed the serum and analyzed steroid hormone levels in the women’s blood during their pregnancies. They then compared the results to the California Cancer Registry to determine the relationship between estriol levels during pregnancy and subsequent prevalence of cancer. The researchers found that breast cancer risk was reduced by 58% among women in the highest quartile of estriol production compared to those in the lowest quartile. The scientists also discovered that estriol levels were higher in Asian and Hispanic women, who are known to have a reduced risk of breast cancer. As a result, not only did estriol not increase the risk of this cancer—as estradiol and estrone do—but it actually reduced the risk.” [8]

Estriol accomplishes this protective role by harmlessly binding to estrogenic receptors in the uterine linking and possibly the breast. However, unlike estrone and estradiol, estriol does not stimulate growth nearly as much because estriol seems to shield the receptors more effectively from carcinogenic xenoestrogens.

The Importance of Balanced Estrogen Levels

Since we are constantly exposed to estrogen mimickers such as phytoestrogens, xenoestrogens, and metalloestrogens, it is crucial to understand that having balanced hormones is a significant step in breast cancer prevention.

Dr. Henry Lemon developed a mathematical formula to determine one’s estrogen quotient (EQ), and the formula examines the relationship between the three estrogens, as mentioned earlier, in your body: estriol, estradiol, and estrone.

The formula is the following:

EQ = estriol / (estrone + estradiol)

According to Lemon, if one’s EQ is <1.0, their chance of breast cancer is greater than if their EQ was >1.0.  The optimal EQ ratio is >1.5.

You can get your estrogen levels tested through a saliva hormone test.

Healthmasters’ Ultimate Estrogen Blocker is an excellent supplement you can use to block your body’s absorption of environmental estrogens.

If you have any questions about this product, please feel free to call our office at 800.726.1834

 

References:

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2907875/

[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19933552

[3] https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM199710303371809

[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18942551

[5] https://www.energeticnutrition.com/vitalzym/xeno_phyto_estrogens.html

[6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2689796/

[7] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16489580

[8] https://www.lifeextension.com/Magazine/2005/4/report_female/Page-01