Estrogen: a love-hate relationship
Estrogen has been given a bad rap for a whole host of female diseases: endometriosis, uterine fibroids, fibrocystic breasts and reproductive cancers. If is so destructive, why is it present in the first place?
Estrogen is naturally produced in our ovaries, adrenals and our fat tissue and is often associated with being a woman: our curves, breast tissue, how moist we are “down there”, uterine health and ovarian function. It is also responsible for optimizing cognitive, bone and cardiovascular health.
Together with her partners in crime - progesterone and testosterone, estrogen is classified as a sex hormone. There is a delicate balance in the relationship of these 3, and any one that tips the scale can easily result in imbalances and hence dis-eases.
For example, having too much estrogen causes weight gain whether you’re a man or a woman.
Did you know that animals raised in non-organic farms in countries where farming practices are not regulated are injected with estrogen to fatten them up before their slaughter? This is accepted as a standard farming practice. Milk is therefore also tainted with estrogen.
Other telling signs of excess estrogen are breast tenderness, fluid retention, PMS, uterine fibroids and heavy menstrual bleeding.
The key is reducing environmental triggers that spike estrogen, for example food and cleaning agents we use every day.
Foods that spike estrogen:
Sugar (of all kinds, including “healthy” brown, coconut sugar, fruit and even rice)
Refined carbs
Alcohol
Industrially raised animals (non-organic)
Processed food
Keeping your gut microbiome balanced is critical for boosting healthy sex-hormone metabolism. Too little fiber, too much gluten or too many antibiotics can damage the gut, triggering estrogen spikes because your body can’t properly detoxify or excrete waste. Environmental toxins from household cleaning products and pesticides contain xenoestrogens, which mimic estrogen in your body. Even if the industry says these are “safe”, being exposed to tiny amounts over time can create havoc!
In my quest to manage my endometriosis, I have adopted the following:
An anti-inflammatory diet : one that is low in sugar, high in good fats, and high in fiber.
Substantially increase fiber intake. Ground flaxseeds provide optimal fiber and lignans, which balance hormones. Even two tablespoons a day to a shake, smoothie or a salad can help. You’ll also want to eat fiber-rich organic fruits and vegetables. Just watch out for the sugar content in fruit.
Poop daily. Estrogen recirculates in your body when you constipated. And this is bad. If you need a little help, take magnesium citrate, vitamin C, probiotics and flax seeds and plenty of water daily to help maintain regularity.
Limit or remove alcohol. Excess alcohol can compromise liver and kidney function, which inhibits detoxification and create hormonal imbalances, high triglycerides and fatty liver.
Get moving. Any form of light to moderate exercise helps balance hormones, reducing estrogen and increasing testosterone, which helps you lose fat and build muscle.
Use non-toxic household cleaning agents. I use Young Living’s Thieves product range because I am confident that there are no nasties in the ingredients. As they own their network of farms, their therapeutic-grade essential oils are the absolute best in the world.
Addressing estrogen dominance holistically can help many women lose stubborn weight and relieve them of their painful PMS symptoms.
Overwhelmed? Don’t be!
Join me in my spring reset program as I guide you into losing that stubborn weight and relieve you of your symptoms!