Others were born with reproductive abnormalities that left them sterile. DES sons have had a higher than average incidence of undescended testicles, decreased sperm counts, and an increased risk of testicular cancer and prostate problems, according to Lovell A. Jones, M.D., director of the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. There are, however, several strategies that might reduce the dangers of elevated estrogen, whether it's produced by a woman's body or is the result of pesticide or other chemical exposure. Like a key in a lock, a phytoestrogen may prevent far more dangerous xenoestrogens from entering cells. Flax seeds, whole wheat, and rye are abundant sources of lignins.
Soy beans are good sources of isoflavonoids.
Another phytoestrogen, found with flavonoids in orange peels, shows promise in the treatment of breast cancer. Michael Gould, Ph.D., of the University of Wisconsin, Madison, has used the substance, called limonene, to treat implanted human breast cancers in mice. Also Protect Another protective factor might involve how efficiently the liver breaks down estrogen. According to Hileman, DDT, DDE, atrazine, and other pesticides depress the liver's mechanism that weakens estrogen while promoting production of the stronger, more dangerous estrogen. Fredericks made an especially keen observation.