It’s a dire prediction and a bold statement, but nutrition and fitness expert and author of The Anti-Estrogenic Diet, Ori Hofmekler, says, "As a species, we’re on a fast track to extinction. In the past few decades, men have lost 50% of their sperm count, and within only one generation the average man's sperm count and testosterone have dropped by 20%. Women are no better. Staggering figures show that most women today are suffering from female disorders and three out of ten women between the ages of 35 to 60 will develop breast cancer."
That paints a pretty dismal picture, but there’s hope for taking back hormonal health. Here’s what Hofmekler has to say about how we got to this point.
If he had to boil it down to one area, it would have to be our over-reliance on highly processed, chemically ladened, industry based foods, goods and products. In a word: xenoestrogens. Xenoestrogens are artificially made endocrine disruptors that have the very real ability to mimic the effects of true estrogen and to negatively interact with our cells.
Our society’s weight problem may exacerbate this, too, since xenoestrogens like to lodge in fat cells where they become even more resistant to breaking down. With over two-thirds of the adult American population overweight or obese, that creates a lot of fat cells for these xenoestrogens to take refuge.
You can find xenoestrogens everywhere, too, including the most common areas:
• Commercially raised animals and animal products
• Canned goods and plastics
• Makeup, lotion, perfumes and other personal care products
• Pharmaceuticals, including oral contraceptives
• Products made of styrofoam
• Laundry and dishwashing detergents and cleansers
• Household cleaners and air fresheners
• Food additives and food preservatives
• Pesticides and herbicides
Unfortunately, many of us encounter more than one of these xenoestrogenic products on a daily basis, and that can lead to a negative synergistic effect from xenoestrogens that can cause problems at the cellular level.
So what can be done? As you might guess, Hofmekler suggests that we minimize the use of these endocrine disruptors as much as possible. You may even need to consult your healthcare professional about this, especially if prescription drugs are in the mix.
It’s important to maintain a healthy weight and blood sugar levels, too. As stated earlier, these xenoestrogens like the comfy lifestyle fat cells provide. Additionally, unbalanced blood sugar can provide a feeder system to increased fat storage. It can also decrease the ability for cells to detoxify and can interfere with proper hormone signals.
While you’re at it, incorporate a seasonal detox. By doing a quarterly cleanse, your liver and gallbladder work more effectively to transport excess estrogen out of the body. Be sure, too, that your body gets the nutrients it needs to remain healthy. Additionally, it’s important to support your pituitary gland with adequate rest, movement and nutrition, says Hofmekler.
And, finally, be sure to get plenty of exercise. It helps with detoxification (such as sweating), supports oxygenation of your cells, can balance blood sugar and can promote healthy hormones. Another perk is that exercise can help your body burn fat more readily and can metabolize excess estrogen.
Reproductive roulette is risky, so stop the hormonal havoc—while there’s still time.