High estrogen levels may lead to a number of medical conditions and unwanted side effects, including endometriosis, breast tenderness, mood swings and certain types of cancers. Estrogen dominance is a condition, identified first by John Lee M.D., marked by low levels of progesterone and high levels of estrogen. Specific foods inhibit estrogen, including those foods rich in zinc, berries and squashes. Food choices are a natural way to promote a balance in hormones while under the care of a physician for this condition.
Estrogen and Progesterone
Estrogen and progesterone, or the "female hormones," work together to promote synergy in the body. The ovaries are the home of estrogen production, which regulates the menstrual cycle and promotes the development and ongoing health of the female sexual organs. Progesterone serves as an antagonist to estrogen. Where estrogen promotes growth, progesterone steps in to mitigate it. While medical treatment may be required, specific food choices also inhibit estrogen and may restore balance naturally.
Go Organic
Avoid mass-produced and chemically laden foods when trying to lower your estrogen. According to research summarized by Fátima Olea-Serrano, et al. in the journal "Toxicology and Industrial Health" in 1999, pesticides and other chemicals used in food production have xenoestrogens that may adversely impact your health. Xenoestrogens mimic estrogen in your body and may promote symptoms of estrogen dominance. Xenoestrogens are present in non-organic fruits and vegetables, as well as in poultry and meats.
If you are eating fruits and vegetables that are non-organic, ensure that you peel and wash them thoroughly before eating to remove as many harmful chemicals as possible. Trim fat and skin from meats, as this is where harmful chemicals are most readily stored on the product.
Cruciferous Vegetables and Fruits
According to an article published in the "Journal of Medicinal Food" in 1998 by Michael A. Zelig, cruciferous vegetables have been used for centuries for medicinal purposes. As your body breaks down estrogen to prepare it for elimination, it makes two forms of metabolites. One of these metabolites stores estrogen, while the other assists in the elimination process. Cruciferous vegetables assist in the creation of the second form of metabolite. Examples of these vegetables are broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower.
This type of vegetable promotes the metabolite that is responsible for keeping estrogen levels down. Fruits suggested as additions to your diet by the website Holistic Online include melons, pineapples, pears, grapes, berries and citrus fruits as they are estrogen inhibitors.
Vitamin B6, Zinc and Magnesium
According to Dr. Michael Lam, M.D., an expert and specialist in nutritional medicine, deficiencies in vitamin B6 or in the essential minerals zinc and magnesium can lead to excessive estrogen in the body. Select foods that are rich in these minerals to inhibit estrogen production and restore balance. Vitamin B6 and magnesium work to neutralize estrogen in the liver, while zinc blocks the enzyme aromatase responsible for turning excess testosterone into estrogen. Foods to choose include squashes, pumpkin seeds, pecans, pine nuts and asparagus.
References
- Cornell University: Consumer Concerns About Hormones in Food
- "Journal of Medicinal Food"; Diet and Estrogen Status: The Cruciferous Connection; Michael A. Zelig; 1998
- Holistic Onine; Food and Estrogen; 2000
- Dr. Lam; Estrogen Dominance; Michael Lam, M.D.; 2011
- The Official Website of Dr. John Lee M.D.: Estrogen Dominance
- "Toxicology and Industrial Health"; Inadvertent Exposure to Xenoestrogens in Children; Fátima Olea-Serrano; 1999
