If you missed the xenoestrogens blog (Part 1) about Bisphenol A (BPA) and its health consequences, you can find it here.  BPA is everywhere.  More than likely, all of us are exposed to BPA fairly regularly.  Are there any diet-related remedies for eliminating this toxin already in our bodies?  There just may be!  PROBIOTICS!

Specific probiotics:  Bifidobacterium breve and Lactobacillus casei are two beneficial bacterial strains shown to reduce intestinal absorption of BPA by carrying it out of your digestive system (1).  This is great news because consuming these probiotic strains may destroy the harmful effects of BPA.  These two strains can be found in both foods and supplements, depending on the supplement.

• Bifidobacteria breve  belongs to a group of bacteria called lactic acid bacteria.  Lactic acid bacteria are found in naturally fermented foods, kefir, and cheese.
• Lactobacillus casei  grows naturally in the human digestive system.  The bacteria help the digestive system operate prop...

Xenoestrogens.  Sounds pretty serious, right?  That’s because they are! 

What?  The word ‘xeno’ comes from Ancient Greek, meaning ‘foreign.”  Xenoestrogens are synthetic, man-made chemicals which increase the amount of estrogenic activity in the body, and therefore can disrupt how our hormones are supposed to work. 

Where?  There are over 20 of these man-made chemicals identified to have estrogenic effects. They are present in an overabundance of products such as:

        •  Plastics of all kinds

        •  Carpet (both residential and commercial)

        •  Air fresheners, cleaning products and detergents

        •  Insecticides and herbicides

        •  Teflon coating on cookware and haircare items, such as flat irons and curling irons

        •  Lotions and sunscreens

        •  Food coloring and preservatives

        •  Perfumes and cosmetics 

Scary as it is, we are constantly exposed to xenoestrogens, making them impossible to avoid.  However, with education and awareness you can begin minim...