A-Z hormonal health Articles

Hormonal balance plays a crucial role in how you feel day to day, influencing everything from mood and energy levels to metabolism and overall well-being. When estrogen levels become imbalanced, it can disrupt this delicate system and affect multiple areas of health. As a result, many individuals are turning to estrogen balance supplements to help support hormone regulation, promote detoxification, and restore a sense of balance.

In this article, we'll explore natural ways to support healthy estrogen levels and optimize your overall wellness.

What is Estrogen?

Estrogen is a sex hormone present in all humans. In men, the estrogen levels are much lower and are dwarfed by testosterone production. For women, estrogen levels fluctuate during the menstrual cycle and alternate with progesterone. In general, estrogen is responsible for everything associated with the first half of the menstrual cycle, including building up the lining of the uterus and preparing for ovulation. Estrogen levels are balanced in the body by progesterone, the hormone responsible for maintaining the uterine lining and holding the body in a pregnancy-ready state. A drop in both of these hormones results in menstruation, the shedding of the lining of the uterus. Excess estrogen can be due to high estrogen levels or due to low progesterone levels, resulting in a relative excess of estrogen.

What Are The Forms of Estrogen?

There are several forms of estrogen that affect the body. Endogenous estrogens originate inside the body, and exogenous estrogens originate outside the body.

Exogenous estrogens come from chemical compounds called xenoestrogens or plant-derived phytoestrogens. Xenoestrogens include industrial chemicals that mimic estrogen activity. Phytoestrogens come from plants and influence hormonal balance.

Endogenous estrogens are mainly formed in the ovaries. However, the liver and adrenal glands also produce small amounts. Additionally, fat cells secrete estrogen, so excess body fat may contribute to hormonal imbalance.

Women produce three main estrogens called estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), and estriol (E3). E2 acts as the most active form during reproductive years. E1 becomes dominant during menopause. E3 plays a supporting role throughout hormonal shifts.

Nutritional Information

estrogen	#	% of estrogen	activity	metabolite
estrone	e1	10 - 20%	moderate	2-oh-e / 4-oh-e
estradiol	e2	10 - 30%	high	2-oh-e
estriol	e3	60 - 80%	least	4-oh-e / 16-alpha-e

Phytoestrogens come from plant sources and influence estrogen receptors in the body. They exert weaker effects than endogenous estrogens but still help regulate balance. When estrogen levels rise, phytoestrogens block receptors and reduce activity. When estrogen levels drop, they mildly stimulate receptors. This dual action helps hormonal balance in women.

Xenoestrogens include industrial compounds that disrupt endocrine function. They bind to estrogen receptors and mimic natural hormones. Examples include PCB (polychlorinated biphenyls), BPA (bisphenol A), and phthalates. Regulatory agencies have restricted many of these compounds due to health concerns.

Estrogen Receptor

These chemical estrogen disruptors are linked to developmental abnormalities in babies and hormone-sensitive cancers like breast and uterine cancer. They also associate with infertility in male wildlife exposed to contaminated environments. Researchers suggest similar risks may affect human males exposed to these chemicals.

Estrogen and Mood

Estrogen plays a significant role in women's mental health. Sudden estrogen drops are associated with depressed mood, postpartum depression, and menopausal mood swings. Excess estrogen can also contribute to hormonal imbalance symptoms. Excess estrogen can also cause problems in women, like:

Nutritional Information

signs of estrogen dominance (excess estrogen)
breast tenderness	hypoglycemia
breast cancer	increased blood clotting
decreased sex drive	irregular & heavy menstrual bleeding
infertility	endometriosis
uterine fibroids	mood swings
fat gain around the middle	ovarian cysts
fibrocystic breast disease	uterine cancer
headaches	water retention and bloating

Estrogen Metabolism

Estrogen metabolism determines many risks linked to estrogen dominance. Harmful effects often come from estrogen breakdown products. Healthy liver and colon functions support proper estrogen clearance.

Estrogen Balance Support & Supplements

There are a number of supplements that can help the body to naturally rebalance its own estrogen levels. Ensuring sufficient fibre in the diet to prevent reabsorption of excreted estrogen, and herbal support to help the body balance hormones naturally, can both help to keep hormonal balance in the body. See the list below for supplements that may help to regulate female sex hormone balance. If excess estrogen might be a problem for you, see the estrogen detoxification article using the link above for more information on supporting proper estrogen metabolism.

Important Information

The use of hormone-regulating herbs is not recommended when you are suffering from hormone-sensitive cancers or conditions, as there is a risk of aggravation. Low progesterone levels can mimic the effects of excess estrogen. Consult your healthcare practitioner to ensure you are treating your hormonal imbalance in the correct way.

Broccoli is an excellent source of Indole-3 carbinol (I3C), which aids in the detoxification of estrogen, reduces free radicals, and helps to protect the liver. Keep reading to learn more about this nutrient and how it protects your health. 

What is Indole-3 Carbinol? Discover Key Factors About This Nutrient

It is a substance found in cruciferous (Brassica family) vegetables such as cauliflower, cabbage, cress, bok choy, broccoli, kale, and similar green leaf vegetables, indole-3 carbinol (I3C) offers powerful antioxidant properties.

It is also known to promote more efficient estrogen metabolism, helping to decrease excess estrogen or prevent estrogen from building up in the body. This is particularly useful for healthy cell growth in women. Both I3C and DIM are being examined in clinical trials for their treatment of various types of unhealthy cell growth in women. 

Identifying The Health Benefits Indole-3 Carbinol Offers

I3C and Abnormal Cell Growth

Initial research into I3C use has shown great promise for its role in fighting abnormal cell growth, particularly in the lungs, liver, colon, cervical, endometrial, prostate, and breasts. I3C is a precursor to diindolylmethane (DIM). Emerging evidence has shown that exposure of abnormal human cells to I3C or DIM triggers transcriptional, cell signalling, enzymatic, and metabolic changes that directly lead to the stoppage of replication and/or apoptosis (regulated cell death). This has been particularly well studied in estrogen-receptor-positive (ER+) abnormal cell growth, where I3C has also been seen to prevent BRCA1-dependent cell migration. This implicates I3C as a possible agent to reduce the metastasis of BRCA1-positive abnormal cells found in the breast. Interestingly, I3C has even been found to be additionally beneficial when used in conjunction with Tamoxifen. 

Indole-3 Carbinol and Lupus (SLE)

There is also some very promising research on the use of I3C for the treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematous (SLE or Lupus). Primarily affecting women, Lupus has also been associated with estrogen dominance. It is proposed that I3C can block the development of certain B and T cells of the immune system, which then causes a drop in the auto-antibody production thought to be a major causative factor in the development of Lupus.

Exploring The Relationship Between Indole-3 Carbinol and DIM

Diindolylmethane (DIM) is a product of the digestion of I3C in the presence of stomach acid. It has independent metabolic effects as well in both men and women. It may be beneficial to supplement DIM in place of I3C in people with reduced stomach acid.

Indole-3 Carbinol Supplement Varieties

I3C can be consumed in the diet, or found in capsule form if supplementation is needed. Recent research has suggested a chemopreventative dose of 300mg/day.

Important Safety Information To Consider

I3C is considered safe in both food/diet amounts and therapeutic dosages, although high supplementation has caused skin rashes and small increases in liver enzymes, less frequent tremors and nausea. Overuse and/or preventative use of I3C is further ill-advised because of its hormone-altering effects in normal individuals that can result in systemic hormone dysregulation. For this reason, do not use it as a supplement while pregnant or breastfeeding.