Detoxing Estrogen
Excess estrogen can occur in two instances- too much estrogen and normal levels of progesterone or normal estrogen and too little progesterone.
Higher than normal estrogen levels are typically attributed to inefficient detoxification.
Signs of excess estrogen include:
PMS
Heavy periods
Swollen and tender breasts
Estrogen is supposed to be first deactivated in the liver and then eliminated through your gut- both the liver and the gut microbiome must be functioning efficiently for estrogen to be detoxed otherwise it can be reactivated and reabsorbed into the bloodstream through the process of gut-liver recirculation.
Healthy liver function requires the nutrients folate, vitamins B6 & B12, zinc, selenium, magnesium, and protein.
Alcohol and endocrine disrupting chemicals also disrupt liver function.
Supplements can be used to fill in the gaps, but food as medicine should always be the first line of approach.
Foods that support liver function:
Folate
Broccoli
Brussel sprouts
Leafy green vegetables (cabbage, kale, spring greens, spinach)
Peas
Chickpeas
Kidney beans
Liver
Vitamin B6
Hormone-free pork
Pasture-raised poultry
Oats
Bananas
Grass-fed milk
Vitamin B12
Organic meat
Wild-caught fish
Grass-fed milk
Organic or raw cheese
Pasture-raised eggs
Selenium
Brazil nuts
Grass-fed beef
Brown rice
Pasture-raised eggs
Pasture raised poultry
Wild-caught fish
Sunflower seeds
Turkey
Mushrooms
Magnesium
Dark leafy greens
Avocado
Dark chocolate
Bananas
Beans
Pumpkin seeds
Cashews
Almonds
Zinc
Oysters
Dark chocolate
Pasture-raised eggs
Pumpkin seeds
Legumes
Organic meat
Cashews
Chickpeas
Wild-caught shellfish
A healthy gut requires good bacteria and a diverse range of whole foods.
Too much gluten, seed oils, and sugar can severely affect gut health, which also impairs immunity and mental health.
Foods that support a healthy gut microbiome:
Prebiotic foods
Onions
Artichokes
Leeks
Asparagus
Bananas
Oats
Jicama
Garlic
Apples
Berries
Beans
Probiotic foods
Bone broth
Kefir
Kimchi
Miso
Sauerkraut
Kombucha
Picked vegetables
Tempeh
Greek yogurt
Cottage cheese
Including these foods in your diet will fuel your body with the micronutrients it needs to metabolize estrogen each cycle.
however, no matter how well we eat, the reality is that our fruits and vegetables are not as nutrient dense as they were, say, fifty years ago. Due to monocrop agriculture and factory farming practices, soil has been severely depleted of nutrients. For that reason, some supplementation can be incredibly beneficial. I recommend adding a magnesium and / or vitamin B supplement to your regimen to enhance your whole food diet.
Magnesium:
Ned’s Mellö Magnesium because it contains three types of bioavailable magnesium (gluconate, citrate, and glycinate) plus l-theanine and GABA to support a healthy stress response. Use the code SPRINGTOLIFE for 15% off all single purchases or 20% off your first subscription order.
Vitamin B:
Marea PMS Elixir provides over 1,400% DV for vitamin B6 and over 800% DV for vitamin B12 along with all the other micronutrients your body needs to thrive sans PMS. Save 15% off your order with the code SPRINGTOLIFE.
*Seed cycling is a simple addition to your diet that can help support hormone balance by helping produce, detox and metabolize estrogen and progesterone. Become more in sync with your cycle and give your hormones some love through seed cycling! Simply consume 2 tablespoons daily of the corresponding seed cycling blend with food. Manski’s Wellness makes seed cycling even more simple with pre ground seed packs and M Body Bars! Use the code HAPPYHORMONES10 for 10% off your first purchase.
