By Ben Fuchs | Pharmacist Ben
Number 1) Cruciferous vegetables. Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, bok choy and Brussels sprouts. If I was a woman I’d be doing cruciferous veggies on a daily basis. The one knock and the cruciferous veggies is their affect on the thyroid. Some folks who are dealing with thyroid health issues may find that raw. Cruciferous veggies may have a negative effect on the thyroid. If you slightly stem your veggies, for most folks that should take care of the problem.
Number 2) Citrus lemons, limes, grapefruits, oranges. Chemical in these fruits called flavanoids have some tremendous anti estrogenic affects, especially when it comes to cancer protection. Especially for female cancer like breast and uterine cancer. Their tasty cheap and readily available and like the cruciferous veggies, there’s no reason not to be enjoying them on a daily basis.
Number 3) Onion and Garlic. Like the citrus fruits these versatile veggies are loaded with estrogen protecting flavanoids, especially something called Quercetin. They support liver health and can boost the immune system too. They work well in combination with other flavanoids so use onions and garlic with the cruciferous veggies and citrus fruits for a nice immune boosting anti estrogenic salad or soup.
Number 4) Raw nuts and seeds both of which are sources of something called sterols which have protective affects against estrogen and may help promote production of estrogens opposing hormones progesterone. Sterols can also support testosterone production in men and if you’re a guy and you’re starting to notice that you’re going to the bathroom more than once or twice in them idle of the nite, sterols may be a way to protect yourself from prostate enlargement. Make sure your using raw nuts and seeds not the kind that are roasted or otherwise processed as these kinds of techniques can reduce their nutritional value and even produce harmful compounds.
Number 5) Olives are also a good source of sterols that can have beneficial effects on estrogen and may help lower blood cholesterol too. Olives are a good source of Vitamin E which has anti estrogenic properties.
Number 6) Turmeric, which is the active ingredient in curry. Turmeric is one of the most medicinally herbs/ spices you could ever use and if you’re dealing with any estrogen issues or you want to protect yourself from cancer you’d be wise to use curry on everything.
Number 7) Fish and seafood which are sources of special compounds called DHA and EPA which have wonderful anti-inflammatory benefits that can offset the pro inflammatory affects of estrogen. These compounds can also balance out the pro-inflammatory and pro-estrogenic compounds in most grain and cooking oils. Get ion the Ultimate EFA which is a good source of the protective essential fatty acids.
Number 8) Green leafy veggies are a source of b-vitamin and chlorophyll both of which can help balance our estrogen. In addition some green leafys like spinach is a source of powerful detoxification substances that help the body process excessive amounts of xenoestrogen.
Number 9) Seaweeds and algaes as mentioned previously are powerfully ant estrogenic. These kinds of foods are very undervalues in Western cooking although in Japan they’ve been using seaweed as a source of nourishment for millennia. I like to get the dry seaweed and use it like croutons to add a crunch to salads. Sometimes I’ll soak my seaweed in water with a bunch of garlic and onion powder and sea salt and use it as a bed underneath grilled fish or squid.
Number 10) Fermented foods like kefir, sauerkraut and borsht all have estrogenic properties. The bacteria that give these types of foods their bite can help process estrogen and can provide digestive benefits too.
Estrogens or Oestrogens, are a group of compounds named for their importance in both menstrual and estrous reproductive cycles. They are the primary female sex hormones. Natural estrogens are steroid hormones, while some synthetic ones are non-steroidal. The name comes from the Greek οἶστρος (oistros), literally meaning “gadfly” but figuratively sexual passion or desire, and the suffix -gen, meaning “producer of”.
From Wikipedia
