Estrogen - The Health Nut Kathy

Estrogen is an amazing hormone. However it can be a fat storing hormone in both men and women when out of balance as estrogen and fat are related.

Estrogen is produced in large quantities by women just as testosterone is in men. The receptors for this hormone is on the hips and thighs of women and of course fat is deposited in these areas when excess estrogen is present.

What Is Estrogen?

Estrogen (also known as Oestrogen), is a steroid compound that is essential to the proper development & functioning of the female body. Cholesterol is the primary molecule that begins the synthesis of estrogen. The woman’s ovaries produce 90% of estrogen with other organs (including the adrenal glands, kidneys and liver) producing the rest.

What Does Estrogen Do?

Estrogen is found in both women and men, however women have much higher levels of estrogen. The male “counter-part” to estrogen would be testosterone. The primary function of estrogen is to aid in the development of female sexual characteristics. This would include the regulation of the menstrual cycle, breasts and endometrium. In men, estrogen helps to maintain a healthy libido and the healthy maturation of sperm.

Estrogen also burns off body fat and also reduces muscle mass. It is also responsible for the stimulation of growth of the inner lining within the uterus during the menstrual cycle, and:

Increases Uterine Growth
Improves Vaginal Lubrication
Thickens The Vaginal Wall
Increases Blood Vessels To The Skin Secondary sexual characteristics. Such as pubic and armpit hair also begin to grow when estrogen levels rise. Many organ systems, including the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems and the brain are affected by estrogen as well

What Happens To Estrogen As Women Go Through Menopause?

Throughout a woman’s life, the body will produce estrogen, from when she starts puberty until menopause. After menopause, the body’s natural estrogen levels greatly decrease, and in some instances cease all together.

This group of Estrogens when in balance, plays major roles in keeping your skin clear and wrinkle free, your bones strong, your mind sharp, and increase your HDL Cholesterol levels (this is the good one). Well balanced estrogens are also essential for healthy normal functioning of the reproductive system.

Estrogens are important for the health functioning of many of the vital organs and systems in our body.

Today, we use the word estrogen loosely to include also a family of hormones, including animal estrogens, synthetic estrogens, phytoestrogens (plant estrogens), and xenoestrogens (environmental estrogens, usually from toxins such as pesticides and plastics).

Symptoms Of Too Much Estrogen

The effects of too much estrogen can manifest itself both mentally and physically. Weight gain is a leading symptom in women with high estrogen levels. Women with estrogen dominance have increased alpha androgenic receptors – fat storage receptors that block the release of fat. Beta androgenic receptors are fat burning receptors that increase the release of fat.

High estrogen levels will also lead to an increased risk of breast cancer and infertility.

Also, high levels of estrogen have also been linked to:

Decrease In Sexual Desire
Depression
Cellulite
Constipation
Headaches and migraines
Breast Tenderness
Heavy Menstruation
Fibroids
Endometriosis
Stroke and Heart Disease
Mood Swings
Anxiety
Memory Loss
Fatigue

Hormones are continually fluctuating, moving through cycles and have their ebbs and flows. The natural flow of your hormones is influenced by a number of factors, including what you where born with. Diet and lifestyle have tremendous impact on your hormone levels and this, unlike genes, you can have control over.

Dietary and lifestyle changes. Lifestyle is a critical factor in the production and storage of estrogens, progesterone and testosterone to support hormonal balance. Here are five simple elements to start with today.

Limit exposure to xenoestrogens. Choose organic foods when possible, and wash your produce. If you include animal foods in your diet, select those that were sustainable raised without hormones and harmful chemicals. Avoid plastics for heating or storing food, and limit body care and cleaning products to those with all-natural ingredients.
Eat a natural, plant-based diet. Eating lots of vegetables provides fibre, which feeds the beneficial flora in your intestines, which help you metabolize your hormones. Plant foods also provide your body with phytoestrogens, which protect your body from damaging xenoestrogens. Good choices include legumes, licorice, yams, and anything in the broccoli/cabbage family. Foods to avoid include those made with refined flours, sugars, partially hydrogenated fats, and artificial ingredients.
Restore balance with supplements. I generally recommend high-quality daily nutritional supplements to help restore a woman’s hormonal balance. Because they work as molecular messengers, nutrients such as B-vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids can help increase your body’s ability to balance its hormone ratios.
Manage stress levels. The adrenal glands also produce estrogens and take over the process after menopause. Thus it is vital to support the adrenal and protect against adrenal exhaustion. I do this with a combination of adoptogen herbal tonics and a good quality multi-vitamin/mineral. Of course where the stress can be managed this is the most desirable. I work with clients one-on-one to help them uncover the underlying stressors and we work together to develop strategies to manage stress.
Detoxify the system with a Nutritional Cleanse, this gentle program focuses on saturating every cell in the body with high quality organic nutrients then flushing and supporting the natural detoxification processes of the body, to remove old worn out hormones. Another essential element is supporting the liver, and bowels as they are major players with this process.