Hormone health seems to be in the news weekly these days—and every day there is something new we are to avoid, add, or change in order to maintain proper estrogen levels. Why is this all of a sudden a problem? It seems more science is helping to uncover more clues to the mystery of the steady increase of reproductive cancers, but there are also an increasing number of environmental factors that have the potential to inflate estrogen levels, and also inhibit the proper removal of excess hormone levels in the body. This process of “estrogen metabolism” is crucial to maintaining proper hormone levels.

We normally think of metabolism as it relates to the digestion of food, the generation of energy, and waste disposal. However, the metabolism of estrogen is equally as crucial. Improving estrogen metabolism can be especially helpful for those with family histories of breast, uterine, or ovarian cancer, or conditions such as endometriosis, uterine fibroid tumors, premenstrual syndrome, cervical dysplasia, or systemic lupus erythematosis.

There are several lifestyle factors which can benefit estrogen metabolism, such as: increasing fiber intake (especially from cabbage, broccoli, and flaxseed), exercise, and losing weight if overweight or obese. I’ve also discovered an estrogen-balancing dietary supplement to aid in this process. Ask me for details next time you’re in the office, or check out our website for updates on our quarterly nutrition and weight loss seminars.