From the moment women get their period, we become tremendously conscious of our hormonal health. The arrival of our period is announced by breast tenderness, cramps, bloating and sometimes headaches.
As we get older, our breasts become more fibrous. We may start having irregular periods and get diagnosed with ovarian cysts. We take estrogen to prevent pregnancy and manage other hormonal issues. We get a pap smear and a breast examination done every year. And some of us – too many of us – are diagnosed with estrogenic cancers, like breast and uterine cancer.
Our body’s ability to effectively produce a balanced hormonal profile and efficiently detoxify hormones like estrogen from our body is one of the most important health issues for us women throughout our life.
If you are a woman who:
- Suffers monthly from PMS symptoms
- Has irregular periods or been diagnosed with ovarian cysts
- Has very fibrous or lumpy breasts
- Is at risk for estrogen-sensitive cancers, like breast or uterine cancer
- Is prone to cellulite and struggles to lose fat
Then it is very likely that your body struggles to detoxify estrogen from the body.
In fact, estrogen-dominant profiles are very common in women, the world over.
Part of the problem is that we are constantly exposed to chemical estrogens found in almost every consumable product like plastic bottles, animal protein raised with hormones, beauty products & body care products (e.g. phthalates). Reducing our exposure to chemical estrogens plays a significant role in balancing our hormones. But what else can we do to ensure that we are eliminating excess estrogen safely and optimally?
POOP
When it comes to hormone health – poop and the state of your digestive health is a dead serious issue.
Breast cancer risk is directly linked to how effectively we metabolize estrogen from our body.
Genetics of course plays a role in this and many women have genetic profiles which make estrogen detoxification more difficult. However, diet and targeted supplementation can help to support the safe & anti-inflammatory detoxification pathways for estrogen.
DIETARY FIBRE BINDS TO ESTROGEN SO THAT YOU CAN ELIMINATE IT VIA YOUR POOP
You see, if we are not pooping optimally, our gut is unable to excrete unwanted estrogen from the body and what ends up happening is that this excess estrogen is reabsorbed and goes back into general circulation causing inflammation that presents itself as the symptoms we discussed above (as well as others). A healthy gut that is fed a diet rich in dietary fibre binds to estrogen in the digestive tract so that we can flush it out with our poop.
Sound nutrition also helps to ensure a proper balance of intestinal bacteria so that estrogen stays bound for excretion. Bad bacteria can actually uncouple estrogen from the acid it gets tied to and the result is that estrogen returns into circulation creating inflammation.
If you’re going for a number two once a day and are still experiencing estrogen dominant symptoms then it’s time to consider whether you are going often enough for your needs and if you’re digestive system is actually working optimally.
A DIET THAT REGULATES BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS ALSO HELPS REGULATE ESTROGEN LEVELS
Spikes in blood sugar mean that your pancreas must work over time to produce insulin, which then must be metabolised by the liver. High insulin levels can inhibit estrogen metabolism. Ensuring that you eat the right mix of protein, complex carbohydrates and vegetables that support your digestive function is extremely important.
Estrogen is processed by the liver, which means that the liver converts estrogen into compounds which the body can then excrete. Alcohol and sugar compromise liver function and will therefore make it harder for you to metabolize estrogen. However, foods like kale, arugula and bitter greens support liver function.
NUTRITION & TARGETED SUPPLEMENTATION IS ALSO KEY TO SUPPORT ESTROGEN DETOXIFICATION VIA THE “SAFE” PATHWAY
Research suggests that there are by and large two detoxification pathways for estrogen: one called C-2 and another called C-16. The C-2 pathway is the safe, anti-inflammatory route for estrogen detoxification and women who detoxify largely through the C-2 pathway have a lower risk of developing breast cancer. (Please see study).
Foods rich in omega 3s, dietary fibre and cruciferous vegetables all help to promote the detoxification of estrogen via the C-2 pathway. And targeted supplementation with key nutrients can help support the methylation pathways so that you can ensure complete elimination of excess estrogen.
So ladies if you’re tired of the PMS symptoms, concerned about how lumpy your breasts are or if you want to support hormonal balancing naturally, then get POOPTASTIC with me.
The Pooptastic Reset Programme is a serious, heavily researched, whole-food nutrition programme to help you improve your digestive health and support hormonal regulation. And because every woman has unique requirements, the Pooptastic Reset needs to be customized just for you.
THE BESPOKE POOPTASTIC RESET PROGRAMME FOR HORMONAL REGULATIONIS HK$1750 (CDN$175) and includes:
- One 90min private consult with me to discuss your situation, needs, diet and assessment.
- A customized Pooptastic Reset Programme complete with a two-week meal plan to start you on your way, complete with nutrient-rich, whole food recipes which promote blood sugar regulation, hormonal balancing and detoxification via non-inflammatory pathways; plus dietary guidelines in case you can’t follow the meal plan all the time.
- A customized supplementation programme to lower inflammation, promote gut health and support both the detoxification and methylation pathways.
- Lifestyle recommendations that help detoxification and hormonal balancing.
- Discounts off professional grade supplementation and diagnostic testing.
Contact me today to get informed and get started.
Cristina Tahoces is a holistic nutritionist and owner of Thrive Nutrition Practice.
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