Oestrogen Dominance
Oestrogen dominance is a common problem among women today. This is seen through oestrogen dominant diseases such as endometriosis, fibroids and ovarian cysts.
It is caused by an imbalance between the two most dominant hormones oestrogen and progesterone. Too high oestrogen leads to low progesterone levels.
Symptoms of Oestrogen dominance:-
- Decreased sex drive
- Irregular or otherwise abnormal menstrual periods
- Bloating (water retention)
- Breast swelling and tenderness
- Fibrocystic breasts
- Headaches (especially premenstrually)
- Mood swings (most often irritability and depression)
- Weight and/or fat gain (particularly around the abdomen and hips)
- Cold hands and feet (a symptom of thyroid dysfunction)
- Hair loss
- Thyroid dysfunction
- Sluggish metabolism
- Foggy thinking, memory loss
- Fatigue
- Trouble sleeping/insomnia
- PMS
Avoid Xeno Estrogens
Xenoestrogens are environmental oestrogenic chemicals in our environment which can significantly increase our bodies own oestrogen levels. If we avoid these as much as we can we can greatly reduce our oestrogen levels.
The most common xenoestrogens :-
- Pesticides ( found in water and residues on non-organic food products)
- Parabens (commonly used as a preservative in skin care products)
- Plastics ( BPA’s – be aware of heating plastics in microwaves)
- Dioxins (by product of many industrial processes such as chlorine bleaching – eg. Tampons and sanitary towels) . Largely found in the food chain in animla, dairy and fish products, but alos in personal care products.
- Exogenous steroids in animal products consumed ( consumption of dairy products and red meat).
Eat more Phytoestrogens
Phytoestrogens are plant based chemicals which have oestrogenic activity by attaching themselves to an oestrogen receptor. This helps dilute high oestrogen levels. If you increase your intake of phytoestrogens you will in turn lower your oestrogen levels and increase your progesterone.
The most common sources of phytoestrogens :-
- Flaxseeds
- Sesame seeds
- Humus
- Garlic
- Dried apricots
- Peppers
- Green Beans
- Kidney beans
- Olives
- Oats
- Chickpeas
- Kales
- Cherries
- Apple
- Green Tea
Most phytoestrogens are present in an inactive form and is very poorly absorbed. Lactic acid bacteria produce enzymes which can alter it into an active form and make it more readily absorbed and bioavailable.
To help aid this process we must be consuming some fermented foods such as live yoghurt, kefir, sauerkraut and probiotics.