OESTROGEN HIGH
Written by Slawomir Gromadzki, MPH
Both men and women have and need oestrogen hormone in them. We often associate men with only the testosterone but in reality, both estrogen and testosterone are required for the proper functioning and development of their sexual organs. A right balance between these key reproductive hormones is essential for optimal health in men. Unfortunately, these hormones may become imbalanced, causing a lot of health issues. A rise in estrogen levels can lead to a range of health problems in both men and women.
KEY HEALTH PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH HIGH OESTROGEN
– Oestrogen dominance causes breast lumps because it is a powerful proliferator and its excessive levels stimulate abnormal cells in the breasts and uterus to multiply thus creating fibroids (lumps) in the breast and uterus. Failure to provide enough methyl groups (due to the deficiency of vitamin B12, B6, folate and some other nutrients) leads to raised homocysteine levels and allows oestrogens to accumulate, resulting in hormone imbalance and oestrogen dominance which leads to uterine and breast fibroids, breast lumps, PMS, and increased risk of cancer, heart attacks and strokes. It is therefore vital to use good quality supplements such as sublingual methylcobalamin (the best form of vitamin B12: 1000-2000mcg a day), vitamin B6 (50-100mg a day) and L-Methylfolate (much better form of vitamin B9 than folic acid: 100-400mcg a day) to prevent and treat oestrogen accumulation.
– A very interesting title of an article published in the Canadian Press on November 14, 2011, suggests that estradiol – powerful female synthetic sex hormone present in tap water may greatly increase the risk of enlarged prostate (BPH) and prostate cancer in men: “Estrogen In Drinking Water & Prostate Cancer Deaths Linked In New Study.” The article states that “According to a study by Dr David Margel and his team from Researchers at Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto, estrogen in birth-control pills is excreted in the urine and gets into water, and scientific evidence suggests that low levels may cause cancer, including prostate cancer.” Also, Dr John Lee seems to agree with the role of estrogen in increasing the risk of prostate cancer. In his book Hormone Balance for Men, he stated that apart from dihydrotestosterone (DHT), it is estrogen dominance that leads to both prostate enlargement and prostate cancer. He disagrees with the common idea according to which testosterone contributes to prostate cancer. He explains that men tend to develop prostate problems when estrogen levels are rising and testosterone levels are dropping. Testosterone is a male sex hormone produced by testicles and the prostate gland needs testosterone to function properly. It was very common to believe that higher blood testosterone levels increase the risk of prostate cancer. But, in 2008 a group of researchers carefully analysed 18 separate studies and found no link between prostate cancer risk and higher levels of testosterone. After careful analysis of hundreds of studies, Dr Morgentaler was surprised when he discovered that there was no convincing evidence that high testosterone levels increased the risk of prostate cancer. As a matter of fact, the very opposite was true. He found out that the more severely testosterone deficient men were the greater was the risk of developing prostate cancer! The androgen hypothesis was commonly accepted before the role of PSA (prostate-specific antigen) was understood. The PSA is a protein biomarker detected in the blood and tissue biopsies which indicates an increased probability that cancer is present in the prostate. Besides, if high testosterone does contribute to prostate cancer growth, it should be more common among younger men whose testosterone levels are much higher. But the cancer is prevalent among older men with low testosterone. On the other hand, some suggest that even if Dr Morgentaler’s conclusion is right it is not a good idea to boost testosterone levels in men who are already diagnosed as prostate cancer cells have a much higher number of receptors than healthy cells and they use testosterone it to increase the growth rate.
High estradiol levels in men can result in increased proliferation of the prostate gland (enlarged prostate) which leads to difficulties in urination. “BPH is a multifactorial disease and not all men respond well to currently available treatments, suggesting factors other than androgens are involved. Testosterone, the primary circulating androgen in men, can also be metabolized into the potent estrogen, estradiol-17β. The prostate is an estrogen target tissue and estrogens directly and indirectly affect growth and differentiation of prostate. Estrogens have been shown to promote or inhibit prostate proliferation signifying potential roles in BPH. Recent research has demonstrated that estrogen receptor signaling pathways may be important in the development and maintenance of BPH.” (>)
CAUSES OF EXCESS OESTROGEN
There are many causes of excess oestrogen in men including stress (too much cortisol stimulates oestrogen levels in men), on the other hand low cortisol (adrenal fatigue) in men by contributing to testicular insufficiency may increase estradiol production. Other causes involve caffeine and alcohol consumption, drinking unfiltered properly tap water (often contaminated with oestradiol), foods and water contaminated with certain chemicals from plastic containers that increase oestrogen, medication (such as warfarin, beta-blockers, calcium channel-blockers, amiodarone, quinidine, spironolactone or thiazide diuretics), xenoestrogens frequently enter the body through animal foods such as meat and dairy products that come from “hormonally-enhanced” animals, tight underwear (increases the temperature of the testes reducing testosterone production and increasing estradiol production), overweight and obesity, estradiol transferred through the skin from partner who is on topical estrogen therapy), etc. In addition, testosterone itself in men gets converted to estrogen via aromatase activity or DHT via 5-alpha-reductase activity. Testosterone levels decrease and the relative increase in estrogen to testosterone gives the effect of excess estrogen.
A very interesting title of an article published in the Canadian Press on November 14, 2011, suggests that estradiol – powerful female synthetic sex hormone present in tap water may greatly increase the risk of BPH and prostate cancer in men: “Estrogen In Drinking Water & Prostate Cancer Deaths Linked In New Study.” The article states that “According to a study by Dr David Margel and his team from Researchers at Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto, estrogen in birth-control pills is excreted in the urine and gets into water, and scientific evidence suggests that low levels may cause cancer, including prostate cancer.”
Also, Dr John Lee seems to agree with the role of estrogen in increasing the risk of prostate cancer. In his book Hormone Balance for Men, he stated that apart from dihydrotestosterone (DHT), it is estrogen dominance that leads to both prostate enlargement and prostate cancer. He disagrees with the common idea according to which testosterone contributes to prostate cancer. He explains that men tend to develop prostate problems when estrogen levels are rising and testosterone levels are dropping.
Testosterone is a male sex hormone produced by testicles and the prostate gland needs testosterone to function properly. It was very common to believe that higher blood testosterone levels increase the risk of prostate cancer. But, in 2008 a group of researchers carefully analysed 18 separate studies and found no link between prostate cancer risk and higher levels of testosterone. After careful analysis of hundreds of studies, Dr Morgentaler was surprised when he discovered that there was no convincing evidence that high testosterone levels increased the risk of prostate cancer. As a matter of fact, the very opposite was true. He found out that the more severely testosterone deficient men were the greater was the risk of developing prostate cancer! The androgen hypothesis was commonly accepted before the role of PSA (prostate-specific antigen) was understood. The PSA is a protein biomarker detected in the blood and tissue biopsies which indicates an increased probability that cancer is present in the prostate. Besides, if high testosterone does contribute to prostate cancer growth, it should be more common among younger men whose testosterone levels are much higher. But the cancer is prevalent among older men with low testosterone. On the other hand, some suggest that even if Dr Morgentaler’s conclusion is right it is not a good idea to boost testosterone levels in men who are already diagnosed as prostate cancer cells have a much higher number of receptors than healthy cells and they use testosterone it to increase the growth rate.
– High Oestrogen can be caused by low progesterone and testosterone, intake of estradiol in tap water, deficiency of zinc, magnesium, vitamin D, B5, B12, and B6; Food and water from plastic containers, stress; Xenoestrogens frequently enter the body through animal foods such as meat and dairy products that come from “hormonally-enhanced” animals.
– Aging: We are all aware of the fact that as the years pass by, one has to go through a lot of hormonal changes. With age, the estrogen levels in a man’s body increase and testosterone levels decrease. This is an inevitable truth and one has to go through this.
– Aromatase enzyme: This is an enzyme that converts the androgens into estrogen. This causes a rise in the estrogen level which is again a serious problem. With age, lifestyle, and other factors our body naturally increases the amount of aromatase enzyme which leads to the high amount of unwanted estrogen hormone in the body.
– Diet: Our diet has a direct effect on the estrogen production in the body. Consuming a diet high in refined carbohydrates can increase the body fat. The body fat contains the aromatase enzyme. For this reason, as the fat in our body increases, the estrogen level too increases.
– Stress: A human body releases cortisol hormone under a stressful situation. In men, this hormone suppresses other central hormones such as testosterone. As the testosterone level depletes, the estrogen level soars. Living a stress-free life may not be possible, but mindful management of stress is certainly possible.
– Excessive fat: As mentioned earlier, fat can produce estrogen. Men with increased fat in the waist area are at high risk of estrogen dominance in their body.
– Testosterone replacement therapy: Men experience low libido or erectile dysfunction due to a dip in their testosterone hormone. If the doctors prescribe the testosterone supplements without checking the real cause for the dip, it can lead to several other health issues. Too much of testosterone can lead to an increase in aromatase enzyme. This, in turn, increases the amount of estrogen in the body which is again problematic
-Xenoestroegens: The toxic chemicals from plastics, heavy metals, cosmetic and body care products contain endocrine disruptors or xenoestrogens. These xenoestrogens increase the production of estrogen in the body.
MAINTAINING HEALTHY OESTROGEN LEVELS
Try to reduce the estrogen levels using the following recommendations:
– Avoid bisphenols present in canned foods and water stored in plastic bottles.
– Avoid environmental sources of estrogens (xenoestrogens) found pesticides, shaving creams, fabric softeners, tap water (drink only distilled water), air fresheners, laundry soaps, etc.
– Avoid tap water (contaminated with estradiol, chlorine, fluoride, heavy metals, etc.) and drink only distilled water >.
– Avoid or significantly reducing consumption of animal foods (dairy, eggs and especially meat products) as animals are often treated with estrogens to increase weight.
– Build muscle tissue (without steroids) as increasing muscle tissue and exercise boost testosterone which opposes the effects of estrogen.
– Avoid antibiotics (metronidazole ketoconazole) and drugs such as Valium, Xanax, Tagamet, Zantac, Lanoxin, Norvasc, or any drugs that increase levels of estrogen or decrease levels of testosterone.
– Burn belly fat. It is important because testosterone is converted to estrogen in belly fat. This is the reason why men develop boobs along with increasing belly fat.
– Eat Soy (only organic and non-GMO), cruciferous vegetables (cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, etc.),
– Resveratrol, vitamins C and K, zinc, and niacin are recommended to lower estradiol levels.
– Ashwagandha IS ONE OF THE BEST HERBS TO balance cortisol and lower it if it is too high (too low or too high corticol is one of the causes of high oestrogen). It also prevents cancer by increasing apoptosis (>), reducing prolactin (excess prolactin increases breast cancer risk) & reducing oestrogen in breast cancer cells (but not in healthy cells).
– Increase progesterone with Agnus castus, Zinc, B5, B6, Magnesium, D3, Daily Essentials Multivitamin (by Phoenix Nutrition), Chlorella, Spirulina, Super Greens, Probiotics, Methylcobalamin, Turmeric.
– Increase melatonin by boosting serotonin (5-HTP, Multivitamin, Magnesium).
– Avoid: tap water, foods and water from plastic containers, meat, dairy, sugar, stimulants, white flour products;
– Exercise every day.
– Eat raw sauerkraut every day and fresh raw vegetable juices, ground flaxseed.
– Control stress.
PROGESTERONE DEFICIENCY
Progesterone is made by ovaries (from corpus luteum) and it is a precursor to oestrogen (oestrogen is made out of progesterone). It maintains the lining of the uterus and stays high during pregnancy. During menopause, when menstruation stops and progesterone can no longer be made from corpus luteum, healthy adrenal glands and nerves should take over and start making progesterone.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF PROGESTERONE
Progesterone is known as a happy hormone and antidepressant.
It helps maintain healthy body weight as it burns fat and turns it into energy.
Progesterone is also a natural diuretic and helps body to get better oxygen supply.
Helps building the bones and prevents development of osteoporosis.
Regulates blood sugar levels and helps maintain normal sex drive (libido).
Progesterone makes sure that there is a balance between estrogen and progesterone in the body. Progesterone is extremely important because it keeps the oestrogen levels normal. Since oestrogen is a powerful proliferator (stimulates multiplication of cells including cancer cells) by maintaining normal levels of oestrogen progesterone prevents breast and ovarian cancer as well as other problems associated with high oestrogen.
PROGESTERONE DECLINES WITH AGE
Unfortunately, as a woman ages and reaches menopause, progesterone levels drop dramatically. Low progesterone negatively influences mood and leads to oestrogen dominance and since oestrogen is a powerful proliferator its higher levels increases the risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer and other problems.
FOCUSING ON PROGESTERONE IS MUCH MORE IMPORTANT
In preventing and dealing with hormonal imbalance, both before and during menopause, it is important to understand that there are reasons to believe that it is even more important to focus on increasing progesterone than oestrogen. First of all, body uses progesterone to make oestrogen thus preventing or eliminating menopause symptoms. In addition, progesterone regulates oestrogen levels and prevents its dominance. It means that without healthy levels of progesterone, oestrogen can be not only too low but also too high, thus significantly increasing risk of breast cancer, obesity, depression, heart attacks or strokes.
HOW TO INCREASE PROGESTERONE BEFORE MENOPAUSE
Before menopause starts a still menstruating woman can maintain and increase progesterone by taking the following supplements:
– Zinc acts on multiple organs of the body that are implicated in progesterone production including the pituitary gland and ovaries. Zinc increases levels of follicle stimulating hormone, which in turn causes ovulation and also stimulates the ovaries to produce estrogen and progesterone.
– The most important nutrient for maintaining normal progesterone levels before menopause is vitamin B6 which is absolutely crucial for the development of the corpus luteum (a gland produced in ovaries after the egg is released) out of which progesterone is produced. Therefore, vitamin B6 is necessary for preventing progesterone deficiency and through progesterone for balancing other hormones including oestrogen.
Taking a combination of B6 and magnesium supplements reduces PMS-associated anxiety (>, >).
– Also vitamin C is required to assist the body in producing progesterone. In a 2003 study, women who took 750 mg of vitamin C increased their progesterone levels by 77 percent! It is important to remember that in order to be effective vitamin B6 must be taken with zinc as without zinc vitamin B6 won’t help to cope with low progesterone! You need to take daily dose of about 20 to 50mg of zinc (such as zinc citrate) after breakfast.
– Magnesium regulates the pituitary gland, which in turn controls the production of FSH (follicular stimulating hormone), LH (luteinizing hormone), and TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) that in turn regulate the production of progesterone and oestrogen. Magnesium, which deficiency is rampant today, is also the key nutrient to relax uterus and prevent or treat uterine cramps and menstrual pains.
– Also amino acid L-arginine is known to help increase progesterone levels.
– The most effective herb to increase and balance progesterone before menopause is Agnus castus (Vitex). Agnus Castus (known also as Vitex, Chaste Berry or Monk’s Pepper) is a large shrub (native to the Mediterranean region of southern Europe) with lilac or white flowers and small fruits. Taking Agnus castus works by stimulating the body to produce more natural progesterone in a safe and controlled way. That is the reason why Agnus castus is so effective in helping women to cope with PMS and other symptoms associated with low progesterone.
– Ashwagandha supports healthy levels of luteinizing hormone which triggers development of the corpus luteum out of which progesterone is made (>).
INCREASING PROGESTERONE LEVELS DURING MENOPAUSE (AFTER MENSTRUATION STOPS)
Unfortunately, once the menstrual cycle stops, the ovaries can’t produce progesterone any more since corpus luteum (out of which progesterone is made) ceases to appear in ovaries. However, since the body still needs progesterone it continues producing it in the adrenal glands and nerve cells.
Unfortunately since due to chronic stress and nutritional deficiencies many menopausal women suffer from adrenal fatigue and poor nervous system condition and function their adrenals and nerves are unable to take over the function of ovaries and make enough progesterone.
For this reason it is also crucial to recover from adrenal fatigue and strengthen nerves by learning to control stress, regular exercise, healthy high in nutrients unrefined plant-based diet and by using various supplements including zinc, B vitamins, magnesium, vitamin D, and antioxidants as well as adaptogenic herbs and foods such as maca, rhodiola, ginsengs, ashwagandha, gotu kola, chlorella, and spirulina. Read more about Adrenal Fatigue >
To protect and heal nerve cells you need: Alpha lipoic acid (600-1200mg per day), sublingual Methylcobalamin (1000-2000mcg per day under the tongue), organic Chlorella (2 tablespoons or 20-40 tablets before breakfast), organic ground Turmeric (one teaspoon with food 2-3 times a day), and good Multivitamin such as VM-75, Earth Source, Special Two, VM-2000, etc. (one tablet after breakfast.).
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REFERENCES
– Carruba G, “Estrogen and prostate cancer: an eclipsed truth in an androgen-dominated scenario,” J Cell Biochem. 2007 Nov 1;102(4):899-911.
– Ellem SJ, Risbridger GP, “Aromatase and regulating the estrogen:androgen ratio in the prostate gland,” J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2010 Feb 28;118(4-5):246-51.
– Nakajima Y, Akaogi K, Suzuki T et al, “Estrogen regulates tumor growth through a nonclassical pathway that includes the transcription factors ERβ and KLF5,” Sci Signal, 12 April 2011 Vol. 4, Issue 168, p. ra22.
– Michael Greger, M.D. “Why Are Eggs Linked to Cancer Progression?” November 19th, 2013.
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