hormone-guides

Estrogen Dominance Diet: Foods That Support Hormone Clearance

The estrogen dominance diet focuses on foods that support liver estrogen metabolism and gut excretion: cruciferous vegetables, fiber, omega-3s, and reduced alcohol.

Diet for estrogen dominance works on three distinct mechanisms: what the liver does with estrogen, what the gut does with processed estrogen, and what does not get into the body in the first place. Working on all three simultaneously produces the most noticeable shift. The Liver: Supporting Estrogen Metabolism The liver processes estrogens in two stages. Phase I uses cytochrome P450 enzymes to convert estrogen into intermediate metabolites. Phase II conjugates these metabolites to prepare them for excretion. When Phase II is overburdened or nutrient depleted, metabolites back up, increasing the total estrogenic load. Cruciferous vegetables Broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, cabbage, and bok choy contain glucosinolates. These are converted to indole 3 carbinol when the plant cells are broken by chopping or chewing. Indole 3 carbinol is further converted to DIM in the stomach. Both compounds shift estrogen metabolism toward the 2 hydroxylation pathway, producing less active estrogen metabolites. Practical: Aim for at least one serving of cruciferous vegetables daily. Chopping them and letting them sit for a few minutes before cooking maximizes indole 3 carbinol formation.