Excessive estrogen? Might be time to ‘detox’

By pH health care professionals

When it comes to estrogen, there are some misconceptions floating around out there. Many people think estrogen is strictly for women. But men need estrogen too. Estrogen is an important hormone for sexual and bone health -- in females and males. So does this mean we should all load up on estrogen? Certainly not. Though the hormone estrogen serves important functions, having too much stored in the body can lead to some seriously negative health consequences. This has prompted some people to seek out an “estrogen detox.”

So what’s the problem with having too much estrogen?

Estrogen can be measured through blood testing. But signs and symptoms may include:

• Increased premenstrual symptoms

• Increased rates of cancer

• Endometriosis (an often painful disorder that affects women, where tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus grows outside of it, and continues to act as it typically would – breaking down and bleeding with each menstrual cycle, only it has no way to exit your body and becomes trapped)

• Uterine fibroids (non-cancerous growths of the uterus)

• Early puberty

• Increased body fat

• Water retention

• Excess weight

• Migraines

• Male breast development

• Increased risk of stroke, especially when combined with smoking

As you can see, excess estrogen can contribute to a host of health issues.

What are some things you can do to reduce or eliminate excess estrogen, or detox?

• Try to eat unprocessed and organic foods

• Avoid pesticides and herbicides

• Use glass food containers and avoid plastic ones

• Use non-toxic household products

• Decrease body fat

• Sweat

• Improve liver health

• Utilize supplements to balance any vitamin and mineral deficiencies

Enjoy Your Healthy Life!