Xeno-estrogens are one of the primary causes of most estrogen-positive Breast Cancers. There are hundreds of toxins that can be the source of them. This includes heavy metals, also called metallo-estrogens. Discovering where they may be hiding in your environment is the first step to getting rid of them from your body.

Xeno-estrogens 101

 In a nutshell, xeno-estrogens are bad news since they can significantly increase the risk of reproductive cancers in both women and men.

You may recall that our bodies contain not just one but three main kinds of estrogen. Estradiol is the aggressive form and is naturally produced in specific amounts in the body. When we are exposed to certain kinds of chemicals, they can unfortunately become converted to dangerous “hormonal mimics” for estradiol known as xeno-estrogens.

Think of xeno-estrogens as bullies on the playground. They will forcibly push their way into estrogen cellular receptor sites.

If you are on a Healthy Breast journey, I highly encourage you to dive into the subjects of xenoestrogens, naturally occurring estrogens, and how estrogen is metabolized in your body through a process called methylation. Please check out the new edition of my book, Heal Breast Cancer Naturally, to learn more!

What are Metallo-estrogens?

According to research, “metallo-estrogens are a class of inorganic xeno-estrogens which can affect the gene expression of human cells responding to estrogen.” Some metals that fall into this category include aluminum, antimony, arsenite, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, lead, mercury, nickel, selenite, and tin.

You may recognize some of these metals as being beneficial to the body in certain amounts. Indeed, substances such as copper are vital for the healthy functioning of the body. They must come from the right sources, be utilized in just the right way, and be present in just the right amounts in order to benefit your body, however.

Three Metallo-estrogens You Need to Avoid

On the other hand, there are some metals that do not belong in your body at all.

These are considered carcinogens by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, the American Cancer Society, and other national and international organizations. Three of the most common are aluminum, mercury, and lead.

#1 Aluminum.

Aluminum can be seen in everything from foil wraps to cookware. It is also present in less obvious places such as canned foods, tap water supplies, cleaning products, and prepared foods.

Aluminum does the most damage to the mammary glands, however, when it is used in antiperspirants and deodorants. The reason is pretty obvious: these products go under the arms, where there are lymph nodes that connect directly to breast tissue. A 2011 Italian study published in the Journal of Applied Toxicology found that the majority of women with Breast Cancer also had high levels of aluminum in their system. After surveying, the researchers concluded that the aluminum came primarily from aluminum-based antiperspirant use.

Aluminum can severely affect the nervous system as well. It is considered a neurotoxin and can significantly impair cognitive function, can affect bone health, and much more.

The best way to avoid aluminum is to avoid the products that contain it. To get rid of build-up, consider specific substances that have been proven to work. According to a UK study, silica-infused water was found to help patients with Alzheimer’s because of the detoxification effects it had on aluminum. L-theanine and curcumin from turmeric have also been found to be aluminum-cleansing, mostly because of their antioxidant-releasing abilities.

#2 Mercury.

Mercury is another nasty heavy metal that has a tendency to slip through the cracks. Mercury is present most readily in amalgam fillings. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s own statement, most dental amalgam filling “is made up of approximately 40-50% mercury, 25% silver, and 25-35% blend of copper, zinc and tin.”

Because of the known health effects, visionary dental health experts have worked tirelessly on legislation and lawsuits that will ban any use of mercury in that industry.

Mercury can be found in other less likely places as well. It is present in many vaccines (it is a component in the preservative thimerosal), in commercial seafood and fish products, in drinking water, and in makeup.

A 2020 study conducted at the University of Sydney and the University of Technology in South Wales, Australia found clear evidence of the link between mercury and Breast Cancer.

“Mercury was present in normal breast lobules in more than half of mastectomy samples that contained an invasive carcinoma, and in a smaller proportion of carcinomas and ductal carcinomas in situ,” head researcher Roger Pamphlett wrote in a report for the medical journal Plos One.

According to Dr. Mark Hyman, who has had first-hand experience with the devastating effects of mercury poisoning, it is possible to remove excess amounts. It must be done slowly and in stages, however. This is because mercury accumulates in fat cells so it takes time for it to be completely removed from the system.

Strengthening your gut health and detoxification pathways first before embarking on any specific protocol is essential. Key natural substances that can assist with chelating mercury include alginate from seaweed, milk thistle, zinc, selenium, garlic, and n-acetylcysteine, according to Dr. Hyman.

#3 Lead.

If you think that lead contamination is a thing of the past, think again. While it is true that commercial paints have not contained lead since the late 1970s, it can still be a major concern, especially for many individuals. Older homes can still contain lead from paint that can leach out in the form of contaminated dust. Older water pipes spread lead to the rest of the water supply. It can leach out into individual water wells from contaminated soil. Some imported products, such as appliances, children’s toys, teas, and other foodstuffs, may contain lead. Lead can also still be found in vehicle batteries and gun bullets.

Lead does not break down in the environment. Likewise, it can stay stored in the blood, tissues, and even bones of human beings for years. It is dangerous even at low levels. Overexposure has been linked to cognitive impairment, mood disorders, slow growth in children, infertility in women, impairment of the detoxification pathways (especially the kidneys), and nervous system complications.

Lead is considered a “probably human carcinogen” and a “co-carcinogen,” according to many research studies. Exposure has been directly linked to a higher risk of lung cancer. It has the ability to block the absorption and function of natural estrogens. It is a metallo-estrogen with the same Breast Cancer risks as other heavy metals. In in vivo studies, the presence of lead-induced cancer formation in many organ areas, including the mammary glands.

To avoid lead poisoning, check the sources of where you live and work, especially if your home or office is over 40 years old. Make sure imported products do not contain it. Use water that comes from filtered sources only. Also, make sure that all of the root veggies you and your family consume are 100% organic. Cilantro, iodine-rich foods, vitamin C, and milk thistle can all help get rid of lead from the body.

Don’t Wait to Get Rid of Toxic Heavy Metals

As metallo-estrogens, aluminum, mercury and lead not only wreak havoc on your body as a whole, they also increase your risk of Breast Cancer and Breast Cancer recurrence.

If you decide to embark on a natural heavy metal chelating protocol, be sure to get the advice of your natural health practitioner. In addition, be sure to utilize only products of the highest quality and combinations of herbs and other substances that can really do the trick to detox heavy metals for the long term.

 

 

 

Dr. Veronique Desaulniers, better known as Dr. V, is the founder of The 7 Essentials System®, a step-by-step guide that teaches you exactly how to prevent and Heal Breast Cancer Naturally.