We all have and need Estrogen in our bodies. The amount of Estrogen we have can cause problems with our health. Most of us have at least heard of the hormone Estrogen. We may not know a great deal about it, but we have at least heard of it and we know that women need to have it for their health. Unfortunately, this little hormone can cause a ton of issues for our health. As with the majority of things, knowledge is power. The more you know, the better equipped you are to deal with any obstacles you may have come up. 

A Dominating Hormone

Estrogen dominance has become an abundant issue. According to a survey conducted in 2019 by the New York post 47% of the women surveyed suffered from Estrogen dominance. What may be even more alarming is those women, 72% were unaware that their symptoms were related to their hormones. Unfortunately, the mass majority of people are unaware about how big of a role our hormones play on our overall health. With so many different hormones it can be overwhelming at times, which may be one of the main reasons less people are aware of them. As a doctor of natural medicine, it is my job to help educate others on not only their health care options, but their bodies as well. To that end we are going to learn a little more about Estrogen.

Different Types of Estrogen

What most people don’t know is that there are several different kinds of Estrogen that are produced in the body. There are four different types of Estrogen that help regulate the bodies functions: Estrone (E1), Estradiol (E2), Estriol (E3), and Estetrol (E4). Estrogen, also known as oestrogen, is the primary female hormone. There are three main Estrogens in women that have Estrogenic hormonal activity: Estrone, Estradiol, and Estriol. Of these three Estrogens the most potent and abundant is Estradiol. The fourth Estrogen, Estetrol, is only produced during pregnancy. 

Estrogen in Men

While Estrogen levels are significantly lower in men they nevertheless play an important physiological role. In men, Estrogen regulates the reproductive system important to the maturation of sperm and is necessary to produce a healthy libido in men. All forms of Estrogen are synthesized from androgens, specifically Testosterone and androstenedione, by an enzyme called aromatase. Thus, providing a glaring reminder that EVERYONE has some form and level of Estrogen in their bodies at all times. 

Why We Need It

Estrogen in women is needed for a variety of things. Some of the most commonly known uses of Estrogen in women are: puberty, reporduction, breast development, sex drive, immune system, heart health and function, and bone health. One of the lesser known uses of Estrogen in women is it’s effects on the neurological system. Estrogen has been shown to offer neuroprotection and DNA repairment in women. Most commonly in cognition, especially in verbal memory, mental health, and binge eating suppression. When an imbalance in Estrogen is present it can lead to a number of health related issues.

Did I do This?

In cases of Estrogen Dominance, either our bodies are producing too much Estrogen or we are exposing ourselves to too much Estrogen. What most people are unaware of is the fact that most of our cleaning, beauty, and gardening products are all filled with toxic chemicals that can often contain Estrogen. This upsurge of hormones can be difficult for our bodies to process and remove. Another issue stems from what happens when our bodies come across a substance that our bodies cannot identify. When we eat food that has been overly processed or contains high amounts of chemicals our bodies cannot determine if the substance is a friend or foe. Because our bodies cannot figure out what to do with these substances it wraps them in fat and stores it to be dealt with at a later date. Fat tissue increases Estrogen levels, which only creates an even larger problem.

Are Toxins All Around You?

While our food choices and exposure to environmental toxins are the largest contributing factors that lead to Estrogen dominance. There are other common causes that can lead to Estrogen dominance. Such as pharmaceuticals, artificial fragrances, alcohol and excess caffeine. Pharmaceuticals can offer temporary relief from some health related issues. However, almost all pharmaceuticals are NOT intended to be used for long periods of time. In fact, if you take a look at the majority of pharmaceutical boxes (even over the counter) they warn you of what can happen if taken long-term. Nowadays, it seems like there is a pill for just about everything. This can lead to damage to more than just your liver and kidneys. It can create a domino effect on all your body’s systems. 

How To Tell If There’s Trouble

There are a number of signs and symptoms to look out for. The following is a list of signs and symptoms that can indicate too much Estrogen in women:

• Crave Sweets
• Mood Swings
• Weight Gain
• Bloating
• Depression
• Tender Breasts
• Low Energy
• Nervousness or Anxiety
• Irritability
• Uterine Fibroids
• Heavy or Irregular Cycles
• Headaches
• Low Thyroid
• Cold Feet & Hands
• Low Sex Drive

What is Your Body Saying?

Unfortunately, a lot of these signs and symptoms can be caused by a number of health related issues. For example, individuals suffering from the majority of these signs and symptoms could be experiencing leaky gut or even not eating enough calories or nutrition. Personally, I have never really been a fan of counting calories. At the end of the day when you are eating whole foods that are packed with nutrition calories are not as important. When it comes to leaky gut or under eating both issues can push our hormones out of balance which can lead to even more health problems. In fact, most people are unaware that our digestive tract actually produces some of our hormones. Making it even more important to invest in taking care of our gut health.

How High is Your Estrogen?

When it comes to Estrogen dominance in men, there signs and symptoms are for the most part very similar with a few differences. The following is a list that breaks down some of the signs and symptoms that can indicate Estrogen dominance in men:

• Crave Sweets
• Mood Swings
• Weight Gain
• Depression
• Bloating
• Breast Development
• Low Energy
• Nervousness or Anxiety
• Irritability
• Decreased Testosterone
• Excessive Crying
• Headaches
• Low Sex Drive
• Cold Hands & Feet
• Low Thyroid

A Little Too Lady Like

As you can see the signs and symptoms for men and women are relatively similar. In fact, excess Estrogen can create weight gain in the same locations (mainly the hips, waist, and breasts). One of the things about Estrogen that tends to catch people off guard about is the fact that it helps regulate our libidos for both men and women. Estrogen is clearly a critical hormone for our health. Because Estrogen plays such a significant role in our health it is important to note that a deficiency in Estrogen can lead to health issues as well. In an attempt to help you determine where your Estrogen levels fall. I have included a quick quiz of ten questions that use a ranking system. The sliding scale of 0 to 4 will help determine, after you add all of your answers up, if you have a higher risk of Estrogen imbalance. While the test is designed to determine Estrogen deficiency markers you will also notice that there is an overlap in signs and symptoms. If you fall into the category of anything above ten points it is a good idea to have a doctor check your Estrogen levels.

Reverse Estrogen Dominance

There are a number of things you can do to holistically reverse Estrogen dominance. Such as: drop excess weight, detox to help your liver out, increase your fermented soy intake, and eat organic. Clearly, there are more things you can do to help your body out. However, when it comes to making changes in our health it is almost always better to go slow. If you are experiencing any of the signs and symptoms listed above it is a good idea to start focusing on your health. I would suggest out of my top tips to reverse Estrogen dominance that you start with your liver by detoxing. Our bodies are constantly doing their best to detox naturally. Unfortunately, the majority of us consume and are exposed to an excess of toxins. So much so, that our bodies are unable to keep up with the demand. 

What is Your Body Telling You?

Detoxing is a great way to do our part and ensure that our bodies are set up to succeed. You will find that when you detox you end up losing weight in the process. Mainly due to the fact that you are finally pushing out the excess of toxins via bowel movements and urination. As an added bonus you will have tons of energy! Our bodies devote a lot of energy to eliminating toxins from our bodies. Which means that by removing the majority of hurdles for our bodies we can relocate that energy store into something we enjoy! What would you use all that energy for? The best thing about detoxing is how easy it can be to do. You don’t need to do some crazy juice cleanse to get results. I run a detox program that is 21 days and we eat tons of healthy and tasty treats. 

Are You Overdue For a Detox?

Don’t believe me? I also offer a 5 day program for all of those skeptics out there to try out and reap the benefits of the power of food. Here is a great recipe to try that can help lower your Estrogen levels naturally!

Spicy Broccoli Tacos

Gluten-Free Vegan Serves 4

Sauce

• ½ Cup Vegan Mayo
• 4 Tbsp Chili Paste
• 2 Tbsp Agave Nectar

Batter

• 2 Cups Almond Milk
• 1 ½ Cup Coconut Flour
• 2 tsp Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1 Cup Cornstarch
• 2 tsp Sea Salt
• 4 tsp Hot Sauce

The Rest

• 2 Heads of Broccoli 
• 4 Cups Chickpea Bread Crumbs
• Oil for frying (I suggest Raw Coconut Oil)
• Chives for Garnish
• 1 Cup Shredded Carrots
• 2 Cups Shredded Red Cabbage
• Gluten-Free Tortillas 
• Vegan Cheddar Cheese

Directions:

Prepare sauce by mixing all the ingredients together and set aside. Prepare the batter by adding vinegar to the almond milk and letting sit for 5 minutes. Next add flour, cornstarch, and salt into a medium size bowl mix well. In the small bowl housing the vinegar and milk, add hot sauce and combine with dry ingredients whisking together until combined. Place “bread crumbs” into a seperate bowl. Cut broccoli into chunks then heat the oil in a medium high pan. Dip broccoli into batter and coat with bread crumbs thoroughly. Once oil is hot enough add broccoli, fry for about 1-2 minutes on each side or until golden brown and crispy. Remove from oil and season with salt and pepper. Assemble tacos and top with sauce. Enjoy!

Need a Helping Hand?

A happy and healthy life is closer than you may think. Our health is something that we all have to deal with daily, and when we don’t feel our best, it shows. If you are tired of just making it through your day then you NEED to start investing in your health today! You are not alone on this journey. If you ever need any help I am always here to do just that. Even if it is something as small as just acting as a sounding board. Do you have any questions or concerns I can help you with? Feel free to contact me directly at [email protected] or you can even book a one-on-one call with me. Be sure to subscribe to gain access to tons of free goodies and check back daily for more great recipes and information!