The best way to prevent estrogen dominance is to 1) support your body’s natural pathways for eliminating excess estrogen and 2) avoid xenoestrogens.
Estrogen is a hormone that occurs naturally in the body. It influences the growth and functioning of both female and male reproductive, skeletal, and cardiovascular systems.
Xenoestrogens are chemicals present in our environment that mimic estrogen and its affects. These, combined with the naturally occurring estrogen in our bodies, leads to an over-abundance of the hormone. This condition is commonly referred to as “Estrogen Dominance.”
Estrogen Dominance is linked to increased risk of breast cancer, ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, infertility and miscarriages.
The best way to prevent estrogen dominance is to 1) support your body’s natural pathways for eliminating excess estrogen and 2) avoid xenoestrogens.
Your liver and your bowel are responsible for filtering estrogen from your body. You can give your liver a helping hand by eating foods that contain sulfur such as egg yolks, onions and garlic.
Your bowel needs a diet high in fiber to remove excess estrogen from the body. Without the fiber, estrogen will not be cleared from the bowel and can be reabsorbed. Eating foods such as broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts and cabbage provide fiber and they contain the phytonutrient indole-3-carbinol which breaks down estrogen its a non-carcinogenic form.
The best way to avoid xenoestrogens is to limit your exposure to pesticides, plastics, detergents and perfumes. Buying organic and hormone-free food is also an important step in preventing estrogen dominance.
You can take steps to balance your body’s production of estrogen. Eliminating excess body fat, stress, caffeine, and processed foods and adding exercise is recommended by professionals.
Risk Factors for Estrogen Dominance
- History of Ovarian Cysts
- History of Uterine Fibroids
- History of Fibrocystic Breast Disease
- History of PMS
- History of Migraines
- IVF use
- Long history of oral contraceptive use
Preventing Estrogen Dominance
- Nutritional Detoxification- Estrogen Detoxification diet
- Assess methylation status
- Understand nutritional deficiencies that lead to estrogen dominance
- Obtain full hormone evaluation- including thyroid, adrenal and insulin
- Manage Stress, Cortisol and Inflammation
