(5) MODERATELY supplement diet with phytoestrogenic foods to reduce estrogen in the body

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 in healthy post-menopausal caucasian women is < 1 mg/day.

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