PHTHALATES PLASTICS
	TO KEEP A CYSTIC LIVER IN OPTIMAL HEALTH, WITH A LESSENING OF SYMPTOMS - KEEP ESTROGEN EXPOSURE TO A MINIMUM. Read labels and avoid products that contain phthalates, methylparabens, estrogen, estrogen disruptors, phytoestrogen, estrogen mimickers, and xenoestrogens. The Mayo clinic has developed Vani products that are paraben free. Cosmetic article, Not too Pretty

What about Plastic? Plastic especially containing Bisphenol A, has been considered unsafe for children and pregnant women when associated with heated foods. I also avoid plastic to come into contact with any thing that I put in my mouth. Plastic is a strong estrogen disruptor. I think it is better to keep kidneys well hydrated rather than to avoid drinking because of the plastic container. Try if possible to transfer to a glass container. BISPHENOL A BPA has been widely used in cosmetics and foods. However bishenol A is an estrogen disruptor. Bisphenol A was investigated in the 1930s during the search for estrogen mimics. From this study the synthetic compound diethylstilbestrol was shown to be a better competitor with estrogen. Bisphenol A, can activate estrogen receptors, leading to similar physiological effects as the body's own estrogens The first evidence of the estrogenicity of bisphenol A came from experiments in the 1930s in which it was fed to rats with their ovaries removed. Liver cysts have estrogen receptors. Some hormone disrupting effects in studies on animals and human cancer cells have been shown to occur at levels as low as 2–5 ppb (parts per billion). It has been claimed that these effects lead to health problems such as, in men, lowered sperm count and infertile sperm. Recent studies have confirmed that bisphenol A exposure during development has carcinogenic effects and produce precursors of breast cancer. From Wikipedia

What are phthalates? Phthalates are used to make vinyl soft and flexible. Medical devices to toys to cars to homes all contain flexible vinyl products. This is also used in cosmetics, especially nail polish. DEHP, or di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate— can leach a hormone-like chemical linked to reproductive problems. Phthalates are hormone like molecules used in plastic intravenous tubing, blood bags and other hospital products. These molecules stimulate liver cyst growth. Male infants, pregnant women are at higher risk. Exposure to phthalates (pronounced THAL-ates) comes from direct contact with products that contain them, such as vinyl flooring, detergents, automotive plastics, soap, shampoo, deodorants, fragrances, hair spray, nail polish, plastic bags, food packaging, garden hoses, inflatable toys, blood-storage bags and intravenous medical tubing, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

How can phthalates affect us with cystic organs? Chemicals that resemble estrogen molecules, with a similar structure to hormones are called estrogen mimickers. These are also called false estrogens. These are also called xenoestrogens. When present in plants these are called phytoestrogens. I wondered why some plant estrogens seemed to create a growth and pain in my liver cysts and others do not. I read that sometimes several false estrogens, though weak on their own, when combined become a super false estrogen. There are many sites that speak about the safety of phthalates. These sites seem to be linked with big companies that produce phthalates. Manufacturers say their products are safe and note that there are only a few human studies of DEHP or di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate. Many doctors and nurses say they're concerned, however, about animal studies that suggest the chemical can suppress testosterone, impair fertility and alter the development of reproductive organs. Some manufacturers say they're already seeing a boom in DEHP-phthalate free goods. B. Braun Medical Inc., a Pennsylvania-based manufacturer, is even building a new facility to help keep up with demand.

What are some common chemicals that resemble hormones?
Plastic & Plastic wrap heated in oil in a microwave oven contained 500,000 time the minimum amount of xenoestrogens to stimulate breast cancer cells to proliferate. Lexan and Nalgene plastic bottles with Bisphenol-A (BPA). BPA is used in some plastic coatings inside food cans, cling wrap, and dental sealants. I avoid all plastic associated with anything which I might put into my mouth such as vitamin bottles, plastic cutlery, dishes, saran wrap, non-stick cookware. Hospitals are noting that phthalates. are to be eased out of tubing and blood equipment for newborn infants.
Dry Cleaning Solutions Human evidence comes mainly from women working in the dry cleaning and pharmaceutical industries, and in agriculture. (One Finnish study concluded that female dry cleaning workers exposed to the chemical perchloroethylene were three to four times more likely than the general population to spontaneously abort during pregnancy. I first discovered this when I continually returned to my vascular surgeon at the Mayo. It was he who told me that matted spider telangectasias are only seen when the liver fails to properly metabolize estrogen or estrogen like molecules. It was this group of docs who turned me on to researching xenoestrogens. I have found that if I eliminate plastic from contact with things I eat, (food, vitamins, bottled water) this has helped decrease the spider angiomas surrounding my ankles. These angiomas are oftentimes painful, awakening me in the middle of the night with intense burning. The doctors could tell me the cause was by the liver's inability to metabolism estrogen and estrogen like molecules. I have found that all these compounds: estrogen disruptors, estrogen mimickers, xenoestrogens, estrogen like compounds and false estrogens are all the same.
I am intrigued with this research about xenoestrogens. I have been measuring my girth (around my liver) as form of self-testing to see which things maybe harmful or beneficial to me. It turns out that the very same things that I have experienced as being harmful (causing my liver to grow in size) are these very same xenoestrogens. I did not know their name, or what they were called. I knew it made a difference to me, to eat organically, to stay away from many animal products (including dairy, beef, pork, chicken, ground meats, cheeses) and to avoid bleach, ammonia, chemicals, pesticides, cleaning solutions and powders of soap. I had this abundance of empirical knowledge that chicken, for instance, will cause my liver cysts to grow. In Consumer Reports Magazine, I read that chickens in the USA are dipped in a bleach bath to prevent salmonella. What I experienced was a deep ache in my liver from eating poultry.
I thought I was doing everything by eliminating bleach products, alcohol and alcohol products, ammonia and ammonia based products and pesticides. I had not even thought about bleach in toilet paper, napkins, paper towels and coffee filters. Coffee is a phytoestrogen that exacerbates cystic disease. Coffee made with bleached coffee filters results in a triple whammy of xenoestrogens from the bleach in combination with a phytoestrogens and the hot liquid combines with coffee bean oils and this is heated and passed through a plastic filter. All have an added synergistic effect releasing elevated dangerous amounts of dioxin in cumulative amounts over the years.

Why eliminate plastic from coming into contact with food, water, vitamins, and supplements?
I have been trying to diminish my spider angiomas on my ankles, also known as matted telangectasias. Each year when I return to the Mayo clinic I see the vascular surgeon hoping he might sclerose the tiny spider web formation of arteries surrounding my ankles. Each year he tells me I am not a candidate and that I need to discover how to increase the metabolism of estrogen and estrogen like molecules through the liver. I need to diminish my exposure to estrogen and estrogen like molecules. I understand estrogen. I no longer have ovaries, a uterus, and my body fat percentage is purposefully kept low. This elimination of estrogen also keeps liver cyst growth at a minimum. Liver cyst cells have estrogen receptors. Breast cancer cells also have estrogen receptors. It is these estrogen receptors which bind with estrogen and estrogen like molecules that will stimulate the growth of liver cysts and breast cancer cells. Because one has liver cysts in no way does this mean that a person is more likely to have breast cancer. Simply put both have estrogen receptors. What this means for me is I am on the look out for all research that is published about breast cancer. I read all articles I can get my hands on. Through this research I am able to see how I can further eliminate estrogen and estrogen like molecules from my diet.
What are estrogen like molecules? These are compounds which have a similar molecular structure to estrogen. It is so similar that the body cannot differentiate between the two. The body takes the estrogen like molecules to be true estrogen. The estrogen-trigger begins increasing the growth of cells which have estrogen receptors. If one has polycystic liver disease then there is an increase in liver cysts. If one has spider angiomas then there is an increase of fine spiders arterioles seen on the ankles, chest, back and face. If one has an existing breast cancer then estrogen like molecules can trigger a further growth of breast cancer cells.
Some of these estrogen like compounds are:
Pesticides
The end residual by product left from pesticides and DDT spraying. This was stopped in the United States in the 1950’s but what remains in the soil and rivers are the residual molecules that have become chemically changed from the original pesticide molecule. These changed molecules are then taken up by animals, which graze on the grasses or drink from the rivers. This is then stored in the fatty tissue of the animal. For this reason perhaps a well marbled steak may be particularly high in estrogen like molecules. For this reason, eating organically helps diminish estrogen exposure. I juice, juice, juice. This provides the body which much needed micronutrients not found in a vitamin tablet. Cabbage juice with 5-7 almonds is the one food product I have found that increases the liver’s metabolism of estrogen. Added benefits a few of us have discovered who drink daily cabbage juice with almonds is that our gray hair seems to revert back to its natural color. Much of the gray is eliminated.
Dairy
Butter and cheese are high in estrogen like molecules. Now many dairy farmers have taken to giving cows in the United States bovine lactating hormone to keep the cows producing 10-100 times the amount of milk that these cows would naturally produce. The milk, cheese, butter, and meat from these cows not only has estrogen like molecules from their grazing on contaminated grass but it also has artificially added true estrogen given to the cows.
1. One way to avoid this is to eliminate dairy. If one has kidney disease then diary is good thing to choose to eliminate. Dairy is high in sodium and it has many solutes that dehydrate the body and increase the workload of the kidneys by making it difficult to eliminate. Dehydration is one of the worse situations for hastening kidney failure. A perfectly healthy person when deprived of water can lose their kidneys. Milk is so high in sodium that it raises my blood pressure. For these reasons I have eliminated all dairy from my diet.
2. If one cannot eliminate diary then be sure the dairy taken in is organic, free of pesticides, produced without any bovine growth hormone, and the dairy is from skim milk. Estrogen is stored by the body is fatty tissue. Perhaps 2 ounces of skim milk drunk in the winter months would be beneficial in providing Vitamin D for people living in Northern countries. A better way to assure an adequate intake of Vitamin D is to take daily walks in the sunshine.
3. If one cannot eliminate all fat from dairy then the next possibility is to choose dairy which is cultured such as French butter called Plugra. This butter is produced from crème fraiche; a cultured cream; then it is churned into butter. Yogurt is made from a cultured starter. Buttermilk also utilizes a culture.
4. If one must have cheese then choose a light white cheese with half the fat such as enmenthaler (called Swiss cheese in the USA), Try and find salt free cheeses. Dairy alone is high in sodium. Soft white goat and sheep cheeses may also be better choices. Avoid any yellow cheeses and any hard cheeses; also avoid mozzarella.
PCB PolyChlorinated Biphenyls - were manufactured by a one company - Monsanto Chemical - starting in the 1930s. They were promoted as a nearly indestructible replacement for hydraulic oil, pump oil, and the oil bath for electrical transformers and capacitors. It was known even in the 1930s, when production began, that they were extremely toxic. Exposed workers began showing signs of toxic exposure almost immediately.
Plastic Polyvinyl chloride was discovered in 1930. I asked a researcher if any work had been done linking the discovery of plastic with the increase in all types of cancers. I was told that when food is heated in plastic (such as in a microwave oven) the plastic imparts some of its molecules to the food which is then eaten. I then learned in Germany there is another researcher who is very concerned with mineral water and that it is bottled in plastic. She is developing an easy to use inexpensive test.
Soy
I have eliminated all soy and soy products from diet due to the high phytoestrogen content. I avoid tofu, soy sauce, tempe, soy milk. In New Zealand soy was eliminated from all infant formulas when babies were becoming sterile due to the high phytoestrogen content. Additional farmers at Monsanto were planting genetically altered soy and mixing it up with non-genetically altered soy. This new soy would withstand a strong dose of weed killer which kill everything but the genetically altered soy.
Flaxseed
Flaxseed contains phytoestrogens. A researcher looked at flaxseed. If cancer cells were placed alongside flaxseed in a petrie dish, the cancer cells grew. This has yet to be proven with live subjects, but in the meantime I have eliminated flaxseed. I am relaying on the essential fatty acids contained in hemp seed oil and in 5 almonds for my daily intake of essential fatty acids.
Chemicals
I have eliminated all chemicals from my cleaning cupboards. I use no bleach, ammonia, or alcohol containing cleaning products. Instead I use static cloths from 3M, sprayers filled with water to eliminate grim; washing soda and borax to clean toilets; vinegar to make glasses sparkle. I wear a mask or a handkerchief over my nose and mouth when placing powdered detergent in the wash machine or I use a liquid. There are also ceramic balls without chemicals that you throw into your wash machine to clean clothes. Sometimes I use no soap at all. I try to use pellets of soap for the dishwasher.
Dry Cleaned Clothing I have stopped buying any clothing that needs dry cleaning. If you have any suggestions email us.

How does one avoid plastic?
There is a researcher, a woman, asking this very question. She has invented a test kit (available in Germany) to test for xenoestrogens, especially in plastic. She became very concerned that drinking water was bottled more and more in plastic containers. With drinking water, I have a water filter and store the water overnight in glass containers in the refrigerator.
Paper - I use paper cups when traveling or I will bring along a ceramic mug in my suitcase.
Plastic utensils – I use wooden chopsticks or bring a stainless steel spoon with me. No knives are allowed on airplanes.
Coffee Filters that are bleached can pass on a lifetime of exposure to dioxin, a known carcinogen. If you use coffee filters, try for the unbleached kind.
Toilet paper, I am using a bidet and a hand held shower nozzle. When traveling I use water with a few drops of olive oil added. I have read that Japan airline will soon install the To do toilets that shoot a spray of water for cleaning replacing the need for paper.
Tissues – I carry a handkerchief
Napkins – I use cloth napkins
Paper towels – I use rags and washable cloths.
To replace freezer bags, I use glass bowls with glass lids. Many vegetables come from the store in plastic. I try to remove it shortly after transporting to my home. I also sometimes wrap fish in butcher paper instead of plastic.
I steam vegetables in patypar paper in the microwave instead of saran wrap. I cook in glass or stainless steel. I do not use teflon.
Toothbrush – I am searching for a wooden toothbrush with natural bristles. Anyone seen one?
Vitamins – I purchase from suppliers that sell supplements bottled in glass such as standard process or new chapter vitamins.
Household cleaners (plus the fact that liver cysts have estrogen receptors) are the reason I think more females are affected with liver cysts than men.
I use the 3M statically charged cloths to clean everything. I have found out in Hawaii, paint, caulking for bathrooms, tiles, everything is pre-treated to retard the growth of fungus. Thank goodness because bleach is a real liver ache for me.
The people in Hilo do not spray for bugs, they use sonic devices, mosquito netting, or baits (little hotels where the bugs can check but cannot check out).
If anyone can think of more ways, please share them by sending an email

Have you found anything which will increase the metabolism of estrogen through the liver?

Broccoli Sprouts- DIM Diindolylmethane is available as a capsule. I take one called broccolive by New Chapter Vitamins.
Saffron
Organic Turmeric
Broccoli sprouts bought from the store are pricey. I paid $2 (US) for less than a half a cup. Sometimes the store bought variety gets contaminated with bacteria from sitting in a plastic bag with residual trapped water.
Cabbage juice is an excellent source of DIM diindolylmethane as well as other cruciform vegetables. I juice a third to a half of a cabbage daily through a juicer and throw in seven almonds through the feed tube of the juicer.
Watercress especially when eaten raw is another super nutrient. It is a particularly nutrient dense vegetable.
Sauna and clay baths increase the metabolism of estrogens through the liver. This uses sweating to eliminate liver toxins.
Clay - Bentonite clay or Aztec clay encourage the body to rid itself of toxins. Do not drink it but rather use it as a soap by mixing it with olive oil a teaspoon of honey and the clay to make a paste.

I work as a hairdresser and am wondering about ammonia and chlorine ?

Can you wear a mask? To avoid exposure to phthalates., I have noticed most individuals who do pedicures wear masks. Hair coloring is harmful to all livers. There are some natural hair colors from the health food stores. I have not read the ingredients. If they contain any chlorines or chlorides these also would be harmful.

Chlorine in pools gets leached through to the skin and can cause liver cysts to grow and expand. I use a shower filter that blocks or changes the chlorine in some way.

"The American Chemical Society estimates that "we could receive from 6 to 100 times more chlorine by breathing the air around showers and baths than we could by drinking water." Not only is chlorine absorbed through the skin, but it also vaporizes in the shower, is inhaled into the lungs, and is transferred directly into the blood system. "

I avoid perfumes that contain alcohol, using fragrant oils. I think inhaling is a detrimental method of absorbing chlorine. The lungs sit right next to the liver.

"Chlorine byproducts found in swimming pools are linked to higher incidences of asthma, lung damage, stillbirths, miscarriages and bladder cancer, according to credible research conducted in the U.S., Canada, Norway, Australia and Belgium.
One researcher noted that 10-year-old children spending an average of 1.8 hours per week in a swimming pool environment suffered lung damage she would expect to see in an adult smoker. For conscientious swimming pools managers, the question this raises is are there viable alternatives to chlorine? Ozone and ultraviolet are the two most commonly cited technologies."

A number of safe, non-toxic options exist, such as treating water with ozone gas or ultra violet light."

A wellness shower filter is designed to eliminate chlorine, contaminants and enhances the water for healthier and better-looking skin and hair. I think exposure to chlorine might be cumulative, so any little bit you can do to help might lessen the load on your cystic kidneys.

How can one diminish estrogen like molecules and toxins within the liver ?

Cabbage juice, other cruciform vegetables such as broccoli or capsules of DIMs increases the metabolism of estrogens by products through the liver. Avoid cruciform vegetables (cabbage, brussel sprouts, broccoli, rutabagas) with thyroid problems. Milk thistle, artichoke and turmeric are useful for cystic livers.

ARTICLES PHTHALATES PLASTICS Phthalates Hospitals to phase out plastic phthalates. Phthalates Hospitals Phthalates Hospitals Phthalates A lab employee had two bottles of detergent, one for the floor and one for the cages, and he picked up the wrong one.The harsh alkaline floor detergent caused the plastic in the cages to begin to disintegrate, which leached a chemical called bisphenol A into the animals' food and water. Suddenly, 40% of the eggs had chromosomal abnormalities. Phthalates Plastic may cause defects in infant boys. Phthalates present in many beauty products. The not so pretty cosmetics. False Estrogens What are PCB's? How might I be exposed to False estrogen damages Liver from PCB (chlorinated compounds) Carp livers harmed by chlorine Harm to rat livers Human liver cells harmed Estrogen Metabolism -An active metabolite of estrogen may be even more powerful than estrogen itself in stimulating the growth of certain breast cancer cells. This article is from great smokies laboratory. The lab offers detailed liver functioning tests that showed that certain phases of liver metabolism was greatly slowed. Chemicals - How to reduce your exposure to chemicals in food. Although this is related to breast cancer it also applies to liver cysts. Liver cysts have hormone receptors just like many breast cancers. Teflon linked to cancer Soy Reasons for avoiding soy meal and lecithin. Soy Monsanto soy and why it should be avoided. Soy to be avoided. More on Soy Ovarian cysts and xenoestrogens It seems that ovarian cysts are also triggered by exposure to too many xenoestrogens. This is from the yam progesterone people. I tried yam progesterone cream and it resulted in documented liver cyst growth. Progesterone, the yam creams are all to be avoided with severe polycystic liver disease. Estrogen like compounds avoid. These affect fertility. If there is enough estrogen like molecules to affect fertility -they will affect liver cyst growth. False Estrogen like molecules can affect DNA. This will affect liver cysts, which are triggered by a change in the DNA, a dropping off of a substance. False Estrogen or Xenoestrogens interfere with normal hormones False Estrogen or Xenoestrogens cause PMS False Estrogen What you can do to diminish exposure to xenoestrogens False Estrogen A technical article on experiments with xenoestrogens or endocrine disruptors PLD Herbs Milk Thistle useful PLD Herbs effects on liver disease PLD Herb avoid Maca contains hormones PLD Herb Sprouts DIMs broccoli sprouts PLD Herb Artichoke liver protector PLD Help Tests - Interpreting Liver detox profile PLD Hormone usage decline Breast Cancer declines 7% PLD Help Bentonite Clay PLD Liver harm NSAIDs PLD Liver harm Chlorine PLD Liver harm Chlorine Italian study Carp livers PLD Liver harm Chlorine water genetic mutation PLD BENTONITE clay baths

Last updated Sunday, November 14, 2010 3:15 PM