Hormonal Imbalances (2/5): ESTROGEN - "Venus" archetype

May 10, 2020

déséquilibres hormonaux

They help, from puberty, in the development of female secondary sexual characteristics (breasts, pubic hair, armpits, more fatty tissue on the hips, start of the first period, etc.)

They regulate , with progesterone, the menstrual cycle - especially the first part ( this article talks about it in more detail)

Regulation of cholesterol and triglyceride levels

Maintains healthy bones : This is why once menopause has arrived (less estrogen), women are asked to have bone health check-ups, because less estrogen = more risk of osteoporosis

They protect us against cardiovascular diseases and accidents, because they raise the “good cholesterol (HDL)” and lower the “bad cholesterol (LDL)”, and many other fascinating things: for example, it is very rare to see women who suffer or die from cardiac arrest or stroke before menopause.

They balance the availability of serotonin (neurotransmitter of happiness, which regulates sleep, appetite and other neurotransmitters in the brain). They thus play a very important role in the regulation of emotions .

They also stimulate sexual appetite

Estradiol (E1): which represents 80% of all estrogens during the life of a woman of reproductive age and decreases drastically at menopause.

Estriol (E2): which represents about 10% of all estrogens and which increases during pregnancy

Estrone (E3) : which also represents 10% of all estrogens, and which will increase once menopause arrives.

Chronic stress , cortisol rises and blocks progesterone receptors (girlfriend, remember?), estrogen therefore takes up too much space and progesterone becomes very small.

Oral contraceptives or hormone replacement treatments: these are synthetic estrogens and are often disproportionately high in progesterone.

Xenoestrogens : from Xeno which means “foreign or coming from outside”, these are estrogens that come from our environment, endocrine disruptors found in pesticides , plastic , pollutants , animal meat treated with hormones, or in substances in cosmetic products (I talk about this in more detail below).

Overweight : As I said before, estrogens are also produced in fat tissue, and therefore if this tissue increases, so does estrogen, producing a vicious circle, because excess estrogen also produces even more fat.

A disturbed intestinal microbiota : this is what is called “ dysbiosis ”, that is to say that the “good bacteria” are not as present as the “bad ones”. You will wonder what this has to do with estrogen? In fact, these “good bacteria” help balance the circulation of estrogen thanks to an enzyme ( beta-glucoronidase ), so if there are too many, they will deactivate them and then send them to the liver to be eliminated.

An unbalanced diet with very little fiber (fruit, vegetables) and an excess of sweets, animal and industrial products: firstly because it disrupts the intestinal microbiota , and secondly because industrialized and processed foods often contain harmful substances and xenoestrogens . Thirdly, because it means nutritional deficiencies, therefore a lack of nutrients necessary for the proper elimination and balance of estrogens.

Mercury , a heavy metal that falls into the class of “ endocrine disruptors ”, because it is linked to estrogen receptors causing symptoms of excess. It is unfortunately found in several large fish (shark, tuna, swordfish...) caused by sea pollution, so even if it is very good to eat fish, you have to choose it carefully, just like choosing an unpolluted omega-3 supplement - I'll tell you about that later.

As menopause approaches (a stage called “ perimenopause ”), it is common to find symptoms of excess estrogen before the drop (when menopause is confirmed).

Thyroid diseases: hypothyroidism

Hormone-dependent cancers: breast, ovarian, endometrium.

Autoimmune diseases

If you are already diagnosed with Endometriosis or suspect you have it, then too much estrogen can make your symptoms worse.

Uterine fibroids

Fibrocystic breast disease

Fertility disorders

Stimulate elimination:

The Liver is the conductor, and when I talk about herbal remedies I will explain in more detail how it gets rid of estrogen. I will also tell you about plants and food supplements that will give it a helping hand. For now I can tell you that through these foods, you can already help it:
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Brussels sprouts
- Kale
- Red cabbage
- Well, all the cabbages!
- Radish
- Artichoke
- Turnip
- Cress
- Mustard
- Rocket

Maintain good intestinal transit by eating enough fiber (vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains)

Maintaining the intestinal microbiota , I will first mention foods here, we will talk about plants and food supplements later:
- Enrich and diversify your diet with as many fresh fruits and vegetables as possible
- Limit your meat consumption and diversify your protein sources, so try plant-based proteins
- Eat more nuts ,
- Eat more legumes (lentils, beans, etc.), they are very rich in fiber, and fiber is food for good bacteria (prebiotics)
- Consume fermented foods that contain probiotics :
  - Kefir
  - Kombucha
  - Tempeh
  - Kimchi
  - Lactofermented vegetables like sauerkraut
  - Miso

Do sports regularly to have good elimination through perspiration

Go to sleep before 11pm , as this provides good production of melatonin (sleep hormone) and melatonin helps reduce estrogen levels.
Reduce Cortisol Levels – read the previous article to learn how.

Reduce exposure to environmental estrogens (xestrogens)

Avoid plastic : or choose those that are guaranteed BPA (Bisphenol-A) free, recommend glass containers for storing food, avoid plastic wrap and plastic bottles.
Recommend local, seasonal and organic fruits and vegetables or at least if you are close to producers, take an interest in their growing practices, because sometimes some market gardeners cannot pay for the label, but use pesticide-free agriculture.
Limit your dairy consumption: I will certainly write an article on this subject, for now I can simply tell you that mammalian milk naturally contains hormones (for the development and immunity of the baby), so ideally keep only yogurt from time to time (because of the probiotics) and very occasionally a little cheese. But as for milk, remove it completely, because you don't need it.
Do not eat fish, large predators (shark, swordfish, grouper, etc.), because they are too polluted. Do not eat medium predators such as tuna and sea bream more than once a week, give preference to small fish , especially oily ones: herring, mackerel, sardines, unsalted anchovies - rich in omega 3 and less polluted (ideally look for a sustainable fishing label)
Opt for natural products for household products as well as creams and cosmetics
Avoid using tampons and industrial towels, as they are bleached, so ideally use washable cloth towels and the "cup"
I'll leave you here a list of xenoestrogens as well as where you can find the products, it's a list made by a very well-made Quebec site.