Oestrogen Dominance

Oestrogen dominance affects both men and women but you only really ever tend to see it discussed for women. It basically means where your oestrogen to progesterone ratio is out – the oestrogen is out of proportion.

That can be because the progesterone is too low – pretty common – and/or because the oestrogen intake from meds or the environment is too high.

Either way, too much oestrogen is not a good idea since many cancers and medical conditions are oestrogenic. Too much circulating about can be used, if you see what I mean. That might mean in endometriosis, fibroids or breast cancer, for example in women, or low libido, fertility issues, man ‘boobs’ or even prostate problems for men.

Here is a bit more info for you, taken from a factsheet written by Nutri, because it clearly gives male and female oestrogen dominance symptoms.

Oestrogen Dominance Symptoms: 

How is your body handling oestrogen?

The way the body handles oestrogen has a significant impact on its ultimate biologic effects and can contribute significantly to increased levels in the body.  The good news is that healthy oestrogen metabolism relies on essential nutrients to support hydroxylation, methylation, glucuronidation and sulphation pathways to safely process and eliminate oestrogen from the body.  So, whilst it’s not always possible to control exposure to oestrogen, you can support the way the body handles oestrogen through these important processes simply by optimising intake of the key nutrients required.

How you can support a healthy oestrogen balance naturally…

The way to deal with all of this excess is to make sure your body has an optimal supply of all the nutrients needed to safely process and eliminate them from the body.  The good news is that there are numerous compounds and botanicals, which have been shown to help significantly, including:

• Calcium-d-glucarate – Beta-glucuronidase is an enzyme which contributes to increased circulation of oestrogens.  Calcium-d-glucarate can help to inhibit this enzyme and support healthy excretion of oestrogen before it can become reabsorbed.
• Broccoli extract providing di-indolylmethane (DIM) – Di-indolylmethane (DIM) is a beneficial phytochemical found in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli.  DIM, derived from indole-3-carbinol (I3C), is the most active and important of the dietary indoles and is known to significantly support healthy oestrogen metabolism.
• Phytoestrogens from flaxseed and kudzu – Phytoestrogens are plant compounds which are similar in shape to the oestrogen molecule and can bind to oestrogen receptors.  They are much weaker than endogenous oestrogens and may help to support a healthy balance.
• Vitamin E – Low vitamin E has been associated with elevated oestrogen.  Restoring optimal levels of this nutrient is key for supporting healthy oestrogen balance.
• Magnesium – An essential co-factor for the key oestrogen processing pathways and is typically lacking in the Western diet.  Supplementation is often necessary to bring levels back into a healthy balance.
• B Vitamins, N-Acetyl-l-Cysteine & Glycine – Important co-factors for the enzymes involved in oestrogen processing
• L-Glutathione – Often referred to as the master antioxidant, glutathione supports the neutralization of potentially harmful free radicals, which can contribute to oestrogen overload.