Estrogen: Friend or Foe?

Estrogen is pretty amazing. It feminizes the body, makes skin and hair softer, encourages accumulations of fat in the body and helps prepare a body to hold a baby. Excessive amounts of estrogen in your body, however, may cause many unwanted changes. The condition, called estrogen dominance, is primarily a concern for women but imbalances can occur in all people.

Symptoms of too much estrogen/ estrogen dominance:

• PMS - premenstrual syndrome
• Weight gain
• Cyclic headaches/migraines
• Moodiness - teary, sensitive
• “Brain fog”
• Water retention

There are a variety of natural supplements and lifestyle changes which can help reduce your body’s burden of estrogen and decrease these symptoms of estrogen dominance.

• Wild Nettle Root: Nettles contain compounds which are estrogen blockers and using them regular can decrease your production of estrogen.
• Chrysin: Produced by some plants and found in bee propolis, chrysin may block estrogen and boost testosterone.
• Maca: A member of the crucifer family of plants, maca comes from Peru and boasts adaptogenic properties and may  help balance hormones.
• Chia Seeds or Ground Flaxseed: These fiber-rich seeds are used to help improve the health of the colon and improve the quality of bowel movements. Another great benefit is to assist in clearing excess hormones, including estrogen, from the body.
• DIM: Diindolemethane is a phytochemical from cruciferous vegetables shown to be protective against hormonally-related cancers. This supplement helps the body clear estrogen.

Lifestyle

• Gain Muscle: Weight lifting helps the body regulate hormones naturally. Work with a trainer and talk to your healthcare provider about finding an appropriate program for you.
• Balance Blood Sugar: Eating a diet high in many carbohydrates and poor quality fats can increase our risk for blood sugar instability and diabetes which can make hormonal imbalance worse. Increase intake of lean protein, green vegetables; eat at regular intervals; get lab tests to check your blood sugar, insulin and A1c.

Be Well,
Dr. Katie
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