(2) Inhibit estrogen production to reduce estrogen levels 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, male testes, or adipose tissue from older or obese men or women.

Reducing body fat decreases aromatase ▼ production by adipose tissue

Aromatase-inhibiting▼ foods:

•  Fruits: Berries, citrus fruits, pears, pineapples, grapes, melons, figs, pomegranates, but NOT apples, cherries, dates

•  Vegetables: Green beans, squashes, onions

•  Grains: millet, corn, tapioca, rice, flour

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;

-   White Button Mushrooms

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. Chrysin may also work as an aromatase inhibitor if taken in combination with citrus bioflavanoids, the way they appear in nature. To be effective alone, chrysin needs to be absorbed topically in a cream, or absorbed through mouth mucosa by sucking a lozenge.

-   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, inhibits 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.It's unclear whether they work by solely blocking 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.