5 Foods to Reduce Estrogen Dominance

By Iva Keene

Estrogen dominance is the main culprit in many conditions which lead to infertility and worse – estrogen dependent cancers. Some examples of estrogen dominant conditions are PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome), ovarian cysts, endometriosis, fibroids, polyps, low sperm count, poor sperm quality as a result of low testosterone, fibrocystic breast disease and obesity.

There are three different types of estrogen produced by the ovaries; E1 (estrone), E2 (estradiol) and E3 (estriol). Estrogen is a very important hormone for women. It promotes maturation of follicles, development of endometrium for implantation of the fertilized egg, production of fertile mucus, softens the cervix, lubricates vagina during intercourse and helps sperm to swim in the female reproductive system. It is the key hormone for development of female sexual organs and it’s important for overall health of your breasts, fallopian tubes, ovaries and the vagina. And when you reach your menopausal years, your can thank estrogen deficiency for hot-flushes, dry vagina and the risk of osteoporosis. 

Too much of the good thing?

So how come that something that’s so good and important for female health can be also causing a host of conditions which predispose to infertility and cancer?

Balance and moderation is the key to any successful endeavor. Too much exercise can actually break down your muscle tissue and cause you to gain weight. Too much vitamin C can give you diarrhea and too much estrogen can cause a hormonal imbalance.

The fourth type of estrogen we recognize belongs to the group of so called xeno-estrogens. Xeno in Greek means ‘foreign’ i.e. not made by the body. In this context it refers to estrogens which we get exposed to through the food we eat, drinks we drink, creams, lotions and potions we put on our skin and the chemicals we inhale – some from the environment and some from exposure to commercial perfumes and cleaning solutions. Xeno-estrogens look similar to body-made estrogen and can dock on your estrogen receptors (key-lock system) and activate the same reaction in cell a real estrogen would. As all hormones depend on each other and secretion of one prompts the secretion of other hormones, soon you end up with uncoordinated release of hormones which start creating havoc in the body.

Daily agitation over prolonged time can lead to tissue and function changes ultimately resulting in a chronic condition. Chronic conditions respond best to dietary and lifestyle changes. So what can you do to prevent estrogen dominance in your body?

5 foods to reduce estrogen dominance

• Meet the cruciferous vegetable family! They are broccoli, cabbage, kale, brussels sprouts and cauliflower. This family of vegetables contains sulfur compounds (can be gas forming) and indole-3-carbinol. These guys bind to estrogen and escort it out of the body. Have three servings a day. These veggies can be eaten raw in salads (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and kale) or steamed (brussels sprouts). Kale makes wonderful healthy chips baked in the oven with some olive oil and sea salt.
• Hello green leafy vegetables! Spinach, celery, rucola, parsley, dandelions, Swiss chard. Have 2-3 servings a day. Gren leafy’s make great salads and can be blended in smoothies. Adding one banana to your smoothie will mask the grassy taste. If drinking a green drink is not your thing, add a handful of frozen blueberries or cherries to make it purple and taste of berries. A dash of stevia and vanilla essence compliment this gourmet combination.
• Good morning sunshine! Fruits which remind us of our beautiful sun are all the citrus fruits; lemons, oranges, grapefruits (ruby red and yellow), mandarines, tangerines, pomelos and limes. Citrus fruits contain d-limonene which helps detoxify estrogen. Aim for one serving a day. You can juice them, eat them and add their juice to a variety of dishes. Organic lemons and oranges can be blended whole and make a great addition to smoothies making them taste delightful. If you are going to use the peel (which is very healthy) make sure to wash the fruit and use only organic fruits as pesticides can get absorbed into the essential oils found in the peel of citrus fruits. Pesticides act as xeno-estrogens, so you want to avoid getting exposed to them.
• Grandma knows best! Apple a day, keeps the doctor away. Insoluble fibre found in apples, oats, berries and beans binds to estrogen in your small intestines and stops it from being absorbed. That way you can reduce your exposure to xeno-estrogens from your diet. Aim for two servings a day.About the author
• Lastly these small seeds contain more than meets the eye! Sesame seeds and flax seeds contain estrogen binging lignans. Aim for two to three tablespoons a day. You can have flaxseed oil or ground up flaxseeds, sesame seeds sprinkled in salad or ground up in a paste called tahini. Flaxseeds are also rich in omega 3 fatty acids.

These foods should be part of your daily staple diet. They are very versatile and can accompany many dishes as sides or feature as a main dish. Get creative and ensure to have them daily.

Share your thoughts on these foods and if you have a delicious recipe featuring these estrogen dominance eliminators we’d love to try it out!

About the author:

Leading Fertility Specialist, Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine and Award Winning Author Iva Keene publishes the ‘Baby Blossom’ ezine with tips to get you pregnant ASAP. Get your FREE Fertility Tips now at http://www.Natural-Fertility-Prescription.com

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*This information is for educational purpose only. It is not meant to diagnose or cure a disease.

Nutritional Support For Underactive Thyroid Gland

What is hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland does not produce sufficient amounts of the thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), thyroid hormones that help control the body’s metabolism. Diminished levels of these hormones can considerably slow down metabolism - a process in which the body digests the food and nutrients and converts them to energy.

Women are more susceptible to hyperthyroidism than men and women who are in their fifties and older are the most affected by this disorder. The signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism vary greatly from person to person and depend on just how much the metabolism has slowed. Symptoms tend to appear gradually over longer periods of time.

Signs of under active thyroid

There are many symptoms of hypothyroidism. The most commonly observed are:

• Unexplained fatigue that cannot be relieved by regular sleep and rest
• Sensitivity to cold that may also include cold hands a feet
• Constipation that is not related to changes in diet
• Thinning hair and brittle fingernails
• Depression and mood swings
• Changes in skin health
• Weight gain not caused by change in diet or exercise routine
• Muscle aches and weakness
• Pain, stiffness, or swelling of joints
• Difficulty to concentrate, forgetfulness, or unexplained confusion

There are many other symptoms caused by hypothyroidism that can be associated with multiple conditions such as heart disease or infertility, making hypothyroidism even more difficult to diagnose. A blood test is usually performed to determine the cause of any chronic symptoms.

Nutritional solution to hypothyroidism

There are foods and supplements to be taken and others to be avoided when one suffers from hypothyroidism. Patients on medications sometimes feel that they want some other kind of treatment. They are not always supported by their medical practitioners and feel left alone in their suffering.

Thyroid is a very "fragile" organ and its deficiencies are not easy to treat. But there are ways to take care of the problem nutritionally. One of the most important supplements is L-Tyrosine, an amino acid that supports the function of a healthy thyroid. It is a precursor to the body's own hormone thyroxine. The suggested dose is 500 mg L-Tyrosine on empty stomach. Instead of taking supplemental tyrosine, one may prefer to indulge in tyrosine-rich foods like avocados, bananas, almonds, pumpkin seeds, legumes, lean chicken meat, and fish among others.

In order to produce thyroid hormones the body needs iodine. The diet can easily be enriched with sea vegetable, salt water fish, and unprocessed sea salt that has its natural content of iodine and sea minerals. A caution is advised as excess iodine in the body may worsen the thyroid condition even further.

One should also supplement with high quality multivitamin especially high in Vitamin B complex, essential fatty acids, beta carotene, Vitamins C and E, selenium, and zinc. These nutrients not only support thyroid health, but also prevent from damage caused by low thyroid. Probiotics should be taken daily to keep the intestines healthy and improve the absorption of nutrients. Nutrition rich in fiber will help to maintain regularity.

Healthy thyroid is associated with optimal levels of Vitamin D. Our bodies produce Vitamin D when we are exposed to sun. During the winter months when our exposure to sun is minimal, we need to supplement. The suggested does of Vitamin D3 is 800 IU. Fatty salt water fish and cod liver oil are the best sources of this vitamin.

Just as there are foods that support thyroid function, there are also foods that are considered detrimental to this organ. It is important to avoid foods that are goitrogenic, like non-fermented soy products, cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and cabbage, radishes, strawberries, and peaches. These foods contain substances that interfere with the thyroid function. Moreover, nutritionists suggest to reduce the intake of gluten containing foods. People with hypothyroidism should also avoid processed foods, foods containing preservatives, additives, and artificial sweeteners. The consumption of caffeine should be reduced to an absolute minimum.

 

Are your thyroid lab tests coming out "normal"? There is nothing more frustrating that a lab report that is not matching your condition. If you are supplementing with vitamin B7 or biotin, your thyroid test results might appear normal despite the fact that you are suffering from under active thyroid with all its symptoms clearly visible to you and your doctor. 

Many women suffering from hypothyroidism take biotin in high doses to improve the quality of their thinning hair or brittle nails. Unfortunately, even a single 10-mg dose of that vitamin might interfere with the accuracy of your blood test reading. While supplementation with vitamins and minerals in high doses often seems necessary, it may result in false positives or false negatives. Think of it next time you schedule a doctor appointment for a thyroid blood test. You may want to stop all supplementation for at least  two to three weeks. Try to eat as healthy as possible during this time and avoid all highly processed foods. They are detrimental to your health, whether you suffer from thyroid issues or not.

Conclusion

Under-active thyroid is not always easy to diagnose. Many people whose thyroid hormones seem to fall into a normal range, experience symptoms of low thyroid. These symptoms are often disregarded by conventional health care providers, but thanks to some serious clinical studies, sub-clinical hypothyroidism is receiving more attention now. Thyroid problems can be addressed nutritionally. Simple lifestyle changes, improved nutrition, supplementation with vital nutrients, moderate exercise, and proper relaxation may help considerably to improve one's condition.

By Dominique Allmon

This information is for educational purpose only. It is not meant to diagnose, treat or cure a disease.

Nutritional Support for Underactive Thyroid Gland by Dominique Allmon is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.