Why you’ve gotta love Estrogen.
You gotta love Estrogen!
She’s a real trooper, reigning supreme over the first half of our cycle where her main duty (in the form of estradiol) is to thicken the uterine lining/endometrium in preparation for a fertilised egg and potential pregnancy.
This incredible female sex hormone is responsible for so many other important supportive functions in the body, such as….
• Collagen production: keeps you fresh and plump, looking youthful!
• Makes you feel confident, beautiful & sensual
• Makes hair thick & lustrous
• Keeps bones strong
• Maintains Ligament elasticity
• Temperature regulation
• Metabolism
• Reducing inflammation in the body
• Improves immune cells & function
• Lubricating vaginal membranes
• Memory!
• Lethargy!
• Preventing Bladder Infections (UTI's)
• Cognitive function, processing information etc.
• Good Mood
• Clarity of thought
• Feeling optimistic
• Calming on the fear centre of the brain
• Is a precursor to Seratonin, dopamine & noradrenaline
• Protects against: dementia, heart disease, osteoporosis
• Supports Pelvic Health & structure
• Thrives when you keep glucose & Insulin low
An important note to make, often in the early stages of Perimenopause women are actually Estrogen dominant.
Meaning they have excessively high levels of estrogen in comparison and in ratio to Progesterone levels. Whilst it’s often thought of as a time when your ovaries are dryin’ up and estrogen is no longer being produced, it’s actually a time when Estrogen can be too high, and Progesterone has said see-ya-later first! This is what can be causing a lot of peri symptoms. Learn more about Estrogen dominance & deficiency HERE.
Food that can boost & support healthy Estrogen:
Flaxseeds: (consumed in ground/grinded form). Rich in lignans*, which have estrogenic protective & supportive properties. Can increase the likelihood of regular ovulation, and reduce excess estrogen levels.
Soy Products: Contains isoflavones, a type of phytoestrogen*.
Sesame Seeds: (consumed in ground/grinded form, or Tahini paste). Similar to flaxseeds, they contain lignans* that mimic estrogen and can help block excess estrogen
Sunflower Seeds: contains selenium, which helps improve liver function and remove excess estrogen.
Chickpeas: Contain phytoestrogens* that may help boost estrogen levels.
Pomegranate: Estrogen balancer and antioxidant.
Tofu: Another source of isoflavones, which can act like estrogen in the body.
Broccoli: acts as an estrogen metaboliser. Plus it contains indole 3 carbinol, a naturally occurring phytochemical that has important anticancer compounds (for estrogen sensitive cancers like cervix & breast)
Peas: Including green peas and split peas, which contain compounds that can mimic estrogen.
Alfalfa Sprouts: Known for their phytoestrogen* content.
*Phytoestrogens: found in plants, have the ability to bind to estrogen receptor sites and elicit an estrogenic effect.
*Lignans: phytoestrogen precursors. Intestinal flora metabolise the lignans, converting them to their active forms: enterodiol and enterolactone, which produce a weaker estrogenic effect compared to the isoflavones. Not present in the Oil form of Seeds.