The Hidden Dangers of High Estrogen Levels in the Body
- Dr. Brett Wood
- Sep 18, 2013
- 2 min read
Whether male or female, having a high-estrogen environment in the body can pose serious health risks. Unfortunately, many people are unaware of how frequently we’re exposed to substances that mimic estrogen—especially xenoestrogens.
Xenoestrogens are synthetic, man-made compounds that imitate the effects of estrogen in the body but differ chemically from archiestrogens (naturally occurring estrogens produced by living organisms). These xenoestrogens can have far more potent and harmful effects than natural estrogen, and their increased presence has been strongly linked to:
Breast cancer
Infertility
PMS
Migraines
Mood swings
Cramps
Uterine fibroids
Depression
Unexplained weight gain
Fatigue
Osteoporosis
Insomnia
Allergies
Memory loss
Acne
Hot flashes
Thinning hair
Irregular periods
Breast tenderness
Miscarriage
Low sex drive
High blood pressure
Facial hair (in women)
Inflammation
Decreased thyroid function
Xenoestrogens are commonly found in insecticides (especially DDT), pesticides, plastics, processed foods, food preservatives, and certain pharmaceuticals.
One particularly eye-opening study I came across focused on golfers. It revealed that estrogen levels significantly increased after a season of regular exposure to golf course chemicals—primarily pesticides and insecticides. Another commonly overlooked source is soy. While organic soy can have health benefits, most soy products today are genetically modified and can act like xenoestrogens in the body.
What Can You Do?
The most obvious step is to avoid these chemicals whenever possible. However, complete avoidance can be difficult, which makes it even more important to take active steps to support your body’s ability to balance hormones.
One supplement I’ve been researching is DIM (diindolylmethane), a natural compound found in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts. DIM has been shown to:
Help balance estrogen and testosterone levels
Reduce the harmful effects of excess estrogen
Support fat burning and lean muscle development
There is an abundance of research supporting the dangers of xenoestrogens and their impact on our health. I strongly encourage you to start learning more about this topic and begin taking steps to protect your body and optimize your health.
Let me know if you’d like this adapted for print, email, or presentation use.

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