Blog:

By dr. marie rodriguez on August 8th, 2007
Filed under: Newsletter

Our vitality is greatly influenced by the health of our body’s endocrine system. Hormones, our endocrine system’s chemical messengers, are critical for cellular functioning. Energy level, blood sugar stability, efficient metabolism, resistance to infection, and sleep quality are all under the direct influence of hormones. It’s no wonder we often quip about having a “hormonal imbalance” when we just don’t feel right. In fact, it has been estimated that up to 80% of women suffer from hormone imbalance. Symptoms are broad and can range in severity from PMS and menstrual cramps to depression, insomnia, infertility and susceptibility to immune disorders.

Nine times out of ten, estrogen dominance is the type of imbalance women face. An increase in estrogen relative to progesterone results from estrogen excess and/or progesterone deficiency. The most common cause of estrogen dominance is oral contraceptives. Stress and toxic exposures associated with modern living also contribute to this imbalance. Estrogen dominance has been linked to yeast overgrowth, weight gain, increased risk of breast cancer, elevated blood pressure, and mood swings.

When stressed, the body utilizes hormone reserves. For example, progesterone is a nice precursor to cortisol, one of the adrenal hormones associated with “fight or flight”. Because adrenal burnout is so common, progeterone deficiency is an equally common consequence. Progesterone deficiency can contribute to PMS, cramps, anxiety, and even miscarriages.

Xenoestrogens (foreign estrogens) are synthetic substances that have estrogen-like activity. They come from organochlorides, which are by-products of the plastics and pesticides industries. They are found in dry cleaning chemicals, non-organic dairy and meat, and plastics used in everything from baby bottles to food containers. These molecules have been linked to early onset puberty in boys and girls, the decline of male sperm counts, and even the feminization of fish. These foreign estrogens further contribute to estrogen dominance in women, and have been implicated in the rise of breast cancer rates.

In terms of hormone balance, it does seem like the odds are stacked against us. Nonetheless, there are some basic things you can do in your everyday life to help restore balance. First of all, eat a whole foods, nutrient dense diet from primarily organic foods. This will lower the toxic burden on your liver and enable it to process hormones more efficiently. Limit carbohydrates and dairy products which raise estrogen levels. Consider increasing consumption of flaxseeds, (recommend 2 tbsp daily) broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage – these fiber sources bind excess estrogen and prevent it from being recycled. Additionally, take measures to reduce stress and xenoestrogen exposure (see suggestions below).

Suggestions for reducing foreign estrogen exposure:

• Avoid pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides. Wash your hands to rid pesticides.
• Have a good water filter for your source of water: www.multipure.com, www.culligan.com
• Use only organic whole foods
• Do not microwave foods in plastic containers, and avoid the use of plastic wrap
• Use organic soaps and toothpaste
• Switch to more natural facial products to avoid estrogenic ingredients like parabens.
• Use only naturally based perfumes. Most perfumes are petrochemically based.