Hormone menubar
Estrogens - The Female Hormones
ESTROGEN DOMINANCE - How to Reduce Estrogen in the Body
How to reduce estrogen levels in the body
Moderate intake of plant estrogens
Eat only moderate amounts of ORGANIC soy and flax
Avoid concentrated soy products. In fast food meals
and other processed foods, protein powders, bars, and soymilk. Also note that >90%
of U.S. soy is genetically modified and showing detrimental effects on our reproductive
and immune systems.
HARMFUL INGREDIENTS - Genetically Modified Food
Minimize caffeine consumption
Minimize caffeine in tea, coffee, soft drinks etc.
Caffeine is a CNS stimulant linked to higher estrogen
levels. Studies have shown that women who consumed > 500 mg of caffeine daily (~4
or 5 cups of coffee, had ~70% more estrogen during
the early follicular phase than women who consume < 100 mg of caffeine daily (~
1 cup of coffee). Fertility and Sterility 2001;76:723-729.
Avoid estrogen -containing
medications
These include estrogen -containing drugs (E.g.
Hormone Replacement Therapy, Birth Control pills, steroids, ulcer medications (e.g.
cimetidine), some antibiotics (E.g. tetracycline, ampicillin), anti-fungal medications
and antidepressants.
(2) Inhibit estrogen production in the body
Lower production of / Inhibit aromatase ▼ enzyme
The aromatase enzyme is
required to facilitate the conversion of TESTOSTERONE
or ANDROSTENEDIONE to estrogen
in the ovaries of reproductive age
women ,mens' testes, or adipose
tissue from older or obese men or women .
Reducing body fat decreases aromatase
▼ production by adipose tissue
Aromatase- inhibiting ▼ foods:
Fruits: Vegetables: Grains:
Increasing body's PROGESTERONE
inhibits ▼the transcription of the
aromatase gene. By
interaction with the glucocorticoid receptor in adipose tissue in a dose-dependent
manner. The absence of PROGESTERONE receptors
in adipose fibroblasts enables PROGESTERONE to
inhibit glucocorticoid-dependent aromatase
induction. It is proposed that it is a suppressor of
aromatase
induction in adipose tissue in premenopausal women .
Schmidt M, et al, PROGESTERONE inhibits glucocorticoid-dependent
aromatase induction in human adipose fibroblasts, J. of Endocrinology, 1998
Zinc. A natural
aromatase inhibitor.
Pomegranate. Ellagitannins
( Ellagic acid) found in pomegranates inhibit
aromatase; Urolithin B, a metabolite produced from ellagic acid, significantly inhibited
cell growth in estrogen -responsive cancers.
Flavones and Isoflavones. Shown to be
aromatase inhibitors;
Grube, Baiba J, White button mushroom phytochemicals inhibit
aromatase activity and breast cancer cell proliferation. J. of Nutr., 2001;
Chen S et al, Anti-aromatase activity
of phytochemicals in white button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus)", Cancer Res. ,2006
Chrysin + Piperine. Chrysin is a non-estrogenic
flavone derived from the Passiflora plant (passion flower) and found in honeycomb
in small amounts, has not proved to be an effective aromatase inhibitor when
taken (orally) alone. A 1999 study [Biochemical Pharmacology,
1999, Vol.58] identified chrysin's poor absorption in the bloodstream.
However, pilot studies have found that when chrysin is combined with piperine,
reductions in serum ESTRADIOL and increases in
total and free TESTOSTERONE result in 30 days. Luteolin. Most often found in leaves, but also
in celery, thyme, green pepper, perilla, chamomile tea, carrots, olive oil,
peppermint, rosemary, oregano, dandelion, rinds,barks, clover blossom and ragweed
pollen. Also isolated from
Salvia
tomentosa .Kaempferol. Natural flavonoid has been isolated
from tea, broccoli, Brussels and apples; extracted from delphinium, witch-hazel
and grapefruit, but requires high concentration for anti-aromatase effect
not likely achieved except via extraction.Quercetin. In red wine,
aromatase; Soy isoflavones. Specifically genistein
and daidzen are known to be potent aromatase
inhibitors. Soy isoflavones at moderate doses are mildly
estrogenic by binding to the
ESTRADIOL receptors in the tissues and thus blocking
ESTRADIOL (the more potent
estrogen
hormone). Also, soy isoflavone supplementation was shown to significantly increase
sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG, the protein that binds /inactivates
estrogen in the blood) in postmenopausal women
with low initial SHBG levels, thereby reducing free
estrogen .
Dietary Isoflavones Affect SHBG Levels in Postmenopausal
Women, Pino AM et al, J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 2000 85: 2797-2800, doi: 10.1210/jc.85.8.2797
However, HIGH soy isoflavone intake will have an estrogenic
effect and researchers
From the University of Illinois, Virginia Polytechnic and State University and the
National Center for Toxicological Research, article in the journal Carcinogenesis
found that when patients taking a drug used against estrogen-dependent breast cancer
also took genistein, it reduced the effectiveness of the drug. i.e. tumors began
to grow again, growing fastest at the highest doses of genistein.
Combination of Citrus bioflavonoids + Soy Flavones.
Experiments conducted in Italy have shown that combining citrus bioflavonoids
with soy flavones creates a more powerful defense against
estrogen
than taking soy flavones or citrus flavonoids alone.Citrus flavonoids are abundant
in the white, spongy layer of citrus peels.
Flaxseed lignans may be anti- aromatase.
Flaxseed lignans are found in the fibrous part of flaxseed, and according
to Udo Erasmus phD, a leading expert on fats, they contain anti-estrogenic
properties estrogen receptors, or by blocking the
aromatase enzyme as well.However,
lignans have shown positive results as a natural aid against
estrogen -related problems.The best, natural source
of flaxseed lignans is ground flaxseed (i.e. flaxmeal).
Stinging nettle (extract) is anti- aromatase :
Aphrodisiac effect on men by increasing the level of free
TESTOSTERONE in the blood.
Contain compounds that bind to SHBG, reducing the binding of
TESTOSTERONE
to SHBG;Blocks binding of growth-stimulating Estrogen to prostate cells.
Useful in treating benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH);Natural aid for women who suffer from Estrogen -related stubborn fat.
Drugs. Aramidex
Resveratrol. A partial ER agonist (i.e. activates
ER receptors), and yet acts as an ER antagonist in the presence of
estrogen leading to inhibition of human breast cancer
cells.
Increase MELATONIN levels
One of
MELATONIN's roles is the reduction of
estrogen production in the body.
Probably also reduces the number of estrogen receptors (ERs). MELATONIN is produced in
total darkness (usually during sleep) and is significantly reduced by excessive
exposure to light (including late night TV viewing).
MELATONIN
Avoid boron supplements
Supplementing boron raises estrogen
levels. Even at the typical supplementation
dose level of 3mg, boron can increase estrogen production
in the body. High levels of boron also affect the absorption of calcium, magnesium,
and phosphorus.
Collins, J. 2000. What's your menopause type? Prima Health, Roseville, Calif.
(3) Reduce exposure to environmental xenoestrogens
Reducing xenoestrogen
levels in the body is a long term process achieved by reducing
xenoestrogen exposure
An estrogen-dominant body tries to compensate by desensitizing its
estrogen receptors, making them
less sensitive to estrogen - However,
because natural PROGESTERONE re-sensitizes
the estrogen receptors
to normal sensitivity, if one uses natural PROGESTERONE
without first getting rid of exposure to xenoestrogens
/ excess phytoestrogens symptoms would likely get worse (E.g. cysts get bigger,
breasts become sorer, more bloating and fat gain around the middle).Be patient - After cutting out
xenoestrogens (and excess
phytoestrogens), it takes about 1-3 months, for these "undesireables" to leave
the body.
Some examples given here, but for more details, see:
Xenoestrogens
- Endocrine Disruptors
Plastics
Avoid. estrogenic.
OK-Non- estrogenic
plastics. NOT contain phthalates or use BPA during production (polymerization) or
package-forming.
Children / Babies
Use glass baby bottles. Not
#7 polycarbonate; heating milk in them leaches even more BPA;
Do not use PVC bottle nipples or teethers
Throw out PVC (squeezy) toys
Use powdered baby formula instead of cans.
To reduce Biphenol-A exposure; breast-milk is the best choice.
Food
Preferably eat organic meat and produce / wash fruit and vegetables.
The feed of non-organically raised animals contain hormone-disrupting toxins, including pesticides, herbicides, synthetic or "bio-solid"(recycled human
excrement) fertilizers, antibiotics, and drugs to combat disease when so many animals
are packed closely together. Produce with the most pesticides reported in A Shopper's
Guide to Pesticides in Produce, include strawberries (contain vinclozolin, a
known endocrine disruptor), bell peppers, peaches, apples,
apricots, and spinach . Foods with the least
amount of pesticides include avocados, corn, onions,
sweet potatoes, bananas, green onions, broccoli, and cauliflower .
Trim fat from meat and skin from poultry and fish that tend to store
toxins
Use rBGH-free milk and dairy / Eat growth hormone-free meat.
Estrogenic growth hormones are commonly
injected into and fed to livestock
Moderate coffee/tea drinking. To limit
estrogenic caffeine intake;
Home filter your water to remove hormones.
E.g. synthetic estrogens from the urine of women
taking HRT and birth control pills that are flushed down the toilet, eventually
finding their way back into our water and food supply.
Store/Heat food and liquids in glass or ceramics.
Heated #3 plastics leach very quickly into food; most food-services use
plasticized #3 cling-wrap containing phthalates.
Choose packaged goods in glass or paper containers
Eat mostly fresh foods. Cut back on processed
and pre-packaged foods in general;
Don't overheat Teflon pan (preferably don't use at all).
If its smoking it's poisoning you;
Eat wild fish. Less contaminated than farmed
fish; choose an effective Omega-3 supplement uncontaminated
by PCBs, dioxins and mercury;
How-to Supplement
Essential Fats
Personal
Use parabens-free, natural ingredient, non-toxic
cosmetics ;
Use natural soap, shampoo, toothpaste, anti-perspirant, lotions, perfumes
and other toiletries. Check out this site for
help choosing
personal care products ;
Nail polish and remover. Acetone is a
xenoestrogenic solvent;
Use condoms without spermicide
(xenoestrogenic) for birth control.
Instead of birth control pills;
Use non-toxic, environmentally safe, "green" detergents, fabric
softeners, dishwashing detergent, cleaning products
Avoid artificial air-fresheners - use essential oils in
a diffuser or lightly heated; Avoid lawn and garden sprays, indoor insect sprays - use
natural herbicide/pesticide control, such as grapefruit seed extract, hydrogen
peroxide,1 Cup salt in 1 gallon of vinegar, or other alternatives;Minimize exposure to synthetic chemical solvents - E.g.
methanol, aldehydes, ketones in paints, paint remover, varnishes, glues, cleaning
products, carpet, fiberboard, other processed woods;Don't dry-clean clothes or use fragranced dryer sheets Replace vinyl shower curtain with fabric one Don't use vinyl wallpaper Replace Teflon pots/pans with ceramic, glass or stainless steel
cookware
Detoxify the liver
The liver eliminates estrogens through bile and urine.
To promote sufficient bile flow and enable the liver to metabolize and
clear estrogen effectively, one should cleanse the
liver using, for example:
Daily morning exercises.
E.g. stretching and deep breathing can also help by "activating" the liver.
Avoid drugs, alcohol, toxins, which
impair liver function. The liver's ability to cleanse
the blood of estrogen is compromised when the liver
has to work hard to eliminate toxins. The use of anabolic steroids, marijuana, cocaine,
caffeine and other drugs or environmental agents can affect hormone levels. Excessive
alcohol intake can increase the body's conversion of TESTOSTERONE
into estrogen , especially in fat cells. It can also
block the liver from effectively breaking down/eliminating excess
estrogen .
Decreased clearance rate of
estrogens by the liver could be
due to organic lesions such as cyrrhosis
Ensure sufficient B-vitamins and Magnesium
B vitamins (B6
in particular) and
Magnesium have important roles in
estrogen metabolism/clearance by the liver.
i.e. a deficiency in either reduces liver's estrogen
clearance rate.
Magnesium and B Vitamins for estrogen clearance
(5) MODERATELY supplement diet with phytoestrogenic foods
Phytoestrogens mimic body estrogens.
The similarities, at molecular level,
of body-produced estrogen with its corresponding
plant version, allow them to mildly mimic and sometimes act as antagonists of the
hormone
Phytoestrogens, wikipedia
http://www.cancersupportivecare.com/estrogenherb.html
How much dietary phytohormone content
is good for You? An epidemiological study of women in
the U.S. found that the dietary intake of phytoestrogens
de Kleijn MJ ,
van der Schouw YT ,
Wilson PW ,
Adlercreutz H ,
Mazur W ,
Grobbee DE ,
Jacques PF . Intake of dietary phytoestrogens is low in postmenopausal women
in the United States: the Framingham study(1-4).
J Nutr. 2001 Jun;131(6):1826-32. PubMed
Some plant constituents mildly mimic estrogen
by binding to their receptors (ERs). This function can
be utilized to reduce the effect of estrogen . Phytoestrogens
are able to "dock" onto the estrogen receptor (ER),
but produce a weaker response than estrogen
Phytoestrogenic foods should
only be consumed in moderate amounts: Beans, flaxseed
and soy
Herbs with estrogenic action. The six highest commonly used ER-binding herbs: Licorice, red clover, thyme, turmeric, hops,
and verbena
I3C (=> DIM - anti-estrogen ) in
crucifer vegetables
DIM - estrogen blocker with anti-cancer benefits
(7) Some drugs inhibit estrogen by various methods
Fulvestrant (Faslodex®). Eliminates
the estrogen receptor;
Tamoxifen and toremifene
(Fareston). Work by
temporarily blocking estrogen receptors on breast
cancer cells, preventing estrogen from binding to
them.
