In
my homepage blog, I discuss the role of phytoestrogens in hormonal health.
The picture is complicated in that, although phytoestrogens may act on estrogen
receptors, they also modulate many other beneficial pathways involved in
cellular signaling. As part of a comprehensive, whole-food diet, eating foods
with phytoestrogens could actually provide many benefits. However, for children
and women or men at risk or being treated for cancer, the picture may be a little
more complicated, depending on the type of phytoestrogen and treatment being
applied. (1, 7, 13, 14) You can read more about this here.
In
this blog, I discuss the various factors to consider for supporting a healthy
hormonal balance in general:
1. Decrease
exposure to environmental estrogens (xenoestrogens) such as those found
in pesticides, non-organic personal care and household products, and plastics.
2. Avoid
genetically modified foods, including conventional meats and dairy which
contain growth hormones, as well as processed soy.
3. Correct
blood sugar imbalances, as insulin spikes effect sex hormone-binding
globulin which regulates hormonal availability in the blood stream.
4. Optimize
nutrition and diet to properly support
metabolizing, excretion, and production of hormones.
5. Support
a diverse microbiome (gut-bug) balance to modulate estrogen metabolism and breakdown by implementing a healthy diet
and supplementing with probiotics as indicated. (11, 12)
6. Support
your liver’s ability to break down hormones. For example, Diindolylmethane
(DIM) can be used to promote healthy estrogen metabolism.
7.
Control stress levels which can down-regulate progesterone and convert
it into cortisol. It can also increase catecholamines that can down-regulate
thyroid hormone output.
8.
Test for any underlying inflammatory patterns which negatively impact hormones.
9.
Use a full health history and several TYPES of lab measurements including
serum, saliva, and urinary metabolites to determine optimal levels of hormones.
I
strongly adhere to one of the major tenets of naturopathic and functional medicine.
This is to always to consider the uniqueness of the individual, which includes
their particular lifestyle, diet, capacity to detoxify hormones, genetic
predispositions, liver health, mind-set, microbiome health, and family history.
These factors will all determine their response to a supplement, medication,
essential oil, hormonal support, or any other intervention.
References
(1)
Patisaul HB, Jefferson W. The pros and cons of phytoestrogens. Frontiers in
neuroendocrinology 2010;31(4):400-419. doi:10.1016/j.yfrne.2010.03.003.
(2-6)
references on phytoestrogens available at dr-lobisco.com
(7)
Dietary phytoestrogens and cancer: in vitro and in vivo studies. J. Steroid Biochem. Mol. Biol.
1992;41:331-337.
(8-10)
available on phytoestrogens at dr-lobisco.com
(11)
Associations of the fecal microbiome with urinary estrogens and estrogen
metabolites in postmenopausal women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2014
Dec;99(12):4632-40. doi: 10.1210/jc.2014-2222
(12)
The intestinal microbiome: A separate organ inside the body with the metabolic
potential to influence the bioactivity of botanicals. DSHEA 2010 Symposium
Chicago. January 2011. doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2010.07.012)
(13)
Lignans. Linus Pauling Institute. http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/phytochemicals/lignans/
(14)
Dietary lignan intakes and risk of pre- and postmenopausal breast cancer.
Int J Cancer. 2004 Sep
1;111(3):440-3. PMID:15221974