A Guide to Avoiding Environmental Hormones & Achieving Hormonal Balance

We live in a hormone soup. From the hormones used in conventional farming practices to the excessive use of prescription hormones, to industrial hormone-like toxins. It is safe to say our environment is overflowing with hormones. In general, our bodies are quite effective at producing hormones & we don’t need any extra from our environment. In fact, excess hormones often lead to hormone imbalance, liver dysfunction & disease. Below are ways you can reduce your environmental hormone exposure & keep your body healthy & happy.


1. Avoid conventional dairy products.

2. Eat hormone-free meat & eggs & wild-caught fish.

• Best practice (BP): Choose pasture raised/grass-fed & finished meat & eggs.
  
  
• BP: Choose small, wild, cold water fish. Examples: salmon, sardines, anchovies, herring,  atlantic mackerel, trout, cod, croaker, hake, whiting.
  
  

3. Drink filtered water & avoid single serving plastic water bottles.

• BP: Buy a carbon-block filter for your home. Multipure (http://www.multipure.com/) is a reputable company that puts out good quality, affordable water filters.
  
  

4. Purchase a stainless steel or glass water bottle to use throughout the day.

5. Buy organic produce when possible.

• BP:  It is most important to buy the following produce organic: apples, strawberries, grapes, celery, peaches, spinach, sweet bell peppers, nectarines, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, snap peas, white potatoes, hot peppers, kale & collard greens.
  
  
• BP: Go to: http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/  to get a pesticide produce guide for your wallet so you have it while shopping. The list is updated yearly.
  
  

6. Use non-toxic body products.

• BP: Read the labels of what you put on your body. Avoid parabens, phthalates, “fragrance”, & glycol esters.
  
  

7. Use homemade or non-toxic cleaning products.

• BP: Visit this site http://www.ewg.org/guides/cleaners to find non-toxic products & recipes for homemade cleaning products.
  
  

8. Avoid canned food.

• BP: Purchase BPA-free canned food if you do buy canned goods.
  
  

9. Avoid plastic containers, plastic bottles & plastic wrap.

• BP: Store & reheat food in glass containers, not plastic.
  
  

10. Avoid non-stick pans.

• BP: Use well-seasoned cast iron, stainless steel or ceramic pans instead.
  
  

11. Avoid water resistant clothing & coatings.

12. Avoid/decrease aluminum-containing antiperspirant use.

• BP: Only use antiperspirants when absolutely necessary. Alternatively, clean your armpits with rubbing alcohol or white vinegar & then apply essential oils.  Carry the essential oils around with you to freshen up during the day.
  
  

13. Consider alternatives to hormone replacement therapy & hormonal birth control.


14. Use a vacuum that has a HEPA filter.

15. Avoid reupholstering foam furniture.

16. Take care when replacing old carpets. Make sure this is done in a well ventilated space.


17. Avoid the use of synthetic air fresheners & candles in your home & car. Instead diffuse therapeutic grade essential oils.