Estrogen in foods (phyto-estrogens) and the diet for endometriosis – why there is confusion

Phytoestrogens and the endometriosis diet

The question is often asked  by women who are confused about the subject of estrogenic foods in their diet. The concern is that eating foods that contain estrogenic compounds will make their endometriosis worse. On doing their research some are finding that even foods listed as a recommendation for the endometriosis diet contain estrogenic properties. Therefore it is understandable that it would cause confusion. 


It is known that there are various foods that contain natural estrogens (called phytoestrogens) – but these are different estrogens from those found in the body. Phyto-estrogens are much less potent than the bodies own estrogens and are also excreted from the body much easier. It is thought that they actually block the body's estrogen receptor sites, thereby reducing the effect of a woman's own hormones. 



For this reason it is beneficial to have some phyto-estrogenic foods in your diet because the estrogenic compounds they contain will also block additional estrogens entering your system (those that can be found in the environment, toiletries etc., and help reduce estrogen dominance). BUT you do need to keep the consumption of these phyto-estrogens in balance and not over do it. 


Soy and phyto-estrogens

The soy supporters promote soybeans because they are high in two estrogen-like plant compounds, genistein and daidzein. Both of these phyto-estrogens prevent your body from taking up the more harmful forms of estrogen circulating in your blood. 

But there are various reasons it is not advisable to include soy beans in the diet for endometriosis:

  • Soy usually comes from a crop that is intensively produced and contains high levels of chemicals
  • Soy phyto-estrogens are endocrine distruptors with a potential to cause infertility
  • Soy has very high levels of phyto-estrogens and as such the levels would be too high for women who have endometriosis or who suffer from estrogen dominance


* Read the full article of soy HERE


Foods and phyto-estrogens

The active compounds in our foods are very complex. The key to the diet for endometriosis and phyto-estrogens is to keep things in balance. If you were to look closely at the list of estrogenic foods it would become clear that you are not going to consume these foods day in day out.


Your diet should be balanced and foods should be rotated. To give you some idea the foods that are most commonly listed as containing estrogenic compound (phyto-estrogens) are: 

  • Alfalfa – high phyto-estrogens
  • Animal flesh *
  • Apples
  • Baker's yeast
  • Barley
  • Black- eyed peas
  • Cucumbers
  • Dairy Foods *
  • Dates 
  • Eggplant
  • Fennel
  • Flax-seeds - high in phyto-estrogens
  • Garlic
  • Hops
  • Olives
  • Papaya
  • Parsley
  • Peas
  • Peppers
  • Plums
  • Pomegranates
  • Potatoes
  • Pumpkin
  • Red beans
  • Rhubarb
  • Rice
  • Soybean sprouts
  • Soybeans * - high in phyto-estrogens
  • Split peas
  • Sunflower seeds
  • Tomatoes
  • Wheat *
  • Yam


*Foods that should ideally be avoided on the endometriosis diet. Its worth noting that these foods have different levels of phyto-estrogens and not all these foods will cause you problems 

Herbs and phyto-estrogens

There are various herbs that contain phyto-estrogens and the levels of phyto-estrogens in herbs are higher than in foods. These include: 

  • Clover
  • Red Clover tea
  • Liquorice
  • Motherwort
  • Anise
  • Hops
  • Fennel
  • Black cohosh
  • Don Quai
  • Ginseng
  • Royal jelly
  • Peony
  • Nettle
  • Sage


As you can see, these are not the most common herbs for every day culinary uses.  You do not need to worry about the herbs you use in your cooking - many of them have healing benefits.




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About the Author

My name is Carolyn Levett, the Founder of endo-resolved - I am an Integrative Health Coach having studied nutrition, naturopathy, aromatherapy  as well as being a published author. I used to suffer from severe endometriosis and was able to regained my health and heal from the disease with the support of nutrition and natural therapies.

My motivation is to help other women with endometriosis to heal their bodies so they may overcome this awful disease without having to rely on toxic drugs and surgeries which can cause further damage  -  with healing thoughts, Carolyn.



Reference:

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320630.php

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phytoestrogen

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3074428/

 

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