Eat These Foods to Detoxify and Balance Hormones

Estrogen is an important and powerful hormone that plays a crucial role in a women’s life. Estrogen effects many of the bodies tissues, but most importantly the ovaries, uterus, breast tissue and the cardiovascular tissues (heart, arteries and veins).

With the hormonal impact of xenoestrogens, chemical-use in food preparation, personal hygiene products, birth control and environmental toxicants, estrogen levels in some women are increasing.  With high levels of estrogen and/or without adequate progesterone levels to balance the strong estrogenic effects, many women experience symptoms of “estrogen dominance”.

Estrogen dominance/unopposed estrogen symptoms include:

• painful cramping 
• premenstrual mood symptoms such as moodiness, irritability, frustration
• fatigue
• breast pain/tenderness and breast fullness
• bloating and water retention
• acne
• constipation

Elevated estrogens are also associated with:

• uterine fibroids and fibrocystic breasts
• endometriosis
• cervical dysplasia
• PMDD – premenstrual dysmorphic disorder

Healthy estrogen balance depends on an effective detoxification system. Your liver plays the largest role in hormone detoxification.  Your liver also is in charge of detoxifying most toxicant substances, food and drink choices, and most prescription medications.  

Your body requires many nutrients to properly metabolize and detoxify estradiol, estrone and estriol as well as balance the harmful metabolites that are produced during estrogen detoxification by the liver.   

Did you know that the cruciferous family of vegetables is especially beneficial in detoxifying estrogens? Broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, cabbage, kale, kohlrabi, mustard greens and turnips are all part of the cruciferous family. This family of vegetables is especially high in indole-3-carbinol, a constituent key in healthy estrogen balance.  Eat more of these foods to reduce estrogen metabolites that are carcinogenic and harmful to your body. Eating about 3-5 cups of this family of vegetables per day provides a therapeutic effect on estrogen metabolism and detoxification.

My favourite way to use these vegetables is to roast them lightly in a little avocado oil, add iodized sea salt (good for your thyroid and breast health), and cracked pepper. I also love to make a kale and cabbage slaw with pumpkin seeds, dried sulfite-free cranberries and dressed in a homemade celery seed dressing.  

Do you experience PMS symptoms or painful periods? Dr. Kristin Spark, ND has a special interest in women’s health and hormonal health. She uses blood work, saliva and urinary testing to best assess her patient’s hormonal status and to guide her treatments strategically. This means that you feel better, faster. To book an appointment please click on the link below or visit Dr. Kristin Spark, ND’s website here.

Dr. Kristin Spark, BSc, B.Nat, CISSN, Naturopathic Doctor sees patients at: The Golden Mean Wellness Shoppe on Tuesdays & Thursdays, and at Healthoholics on Wednesdays, Fridays & Saturdays. For information about appointments, or to book your appointment, click here

The content provided is not intended as health or medical advice, diagnosis, treatment or a prescription. Always seek the advice of your medical provider with any questions you have regarding medical conditions. Dr. Kristin Spark, Naturopathic Doctor is released from any liabilities resulting from the use of information contained here.