To support optimum methylation and neurotransmitter pathways, we must balance our sex hormones. Lucky for us there are many safe, natural, and powerful tools available to help accomplish that. In my clinic one of the biggest issues I see is estrogen dominance. And as I have pointed out in my article Treating COMT and MAO: the Hormonal Cause of Stress and Anxiety, sex hormones play a huge role in how we react to stress – be it physical, chemical or emotional in nature. Therefore we need to make sure our hormones are balanced by using the right diet and nutritional support along with healthy lifestyle choices.
While men and women have different hormone profiles, they have similar nutritional needs. In general both men and women need to promote the healthy methylation and detoxification of estrogens. Since estrogens are found in many types of meat and dairy, I strongly recommend all of my patients to eat an organic diet with and free range, grass-fed animal protein. By avoiding those foods grown with toxic pesticides and chemical estrogens, we are giving the body a chance to balance hormones naturally and experience a higher level of health.
Optimal Diet Choices for Balancing Sex Hormone Levels
Organic low-glycemic vegetables:
- Artichokes, asparagus, bamboo shoots
- Bean sprouts
- Bell or other peppers
- Broccoli, broccoflower, Brussel sprouts
- Cabbage (all types), cauliflower, kohlrabi
- Celery, cucumber
- Eggplant, green beans
- Greens—bok choy, escarole, Swiss chard, kale,
- collards, spinach, dandelion, mustard/beet greens
- Leeks, onions, chives, scallions, garlic
- Lettuce/mixed greens—Romaine, red/green leaf, endive, spinach, arugula, radicchio, watercress, chicory
- Mushrooms, okra, radishes
- Salsa (sugar-free), tomatoes,
- Sea vegetables (kelp, etc.)
- Snow peas, snap peas
- Squash—zucchini, yellow, summer, spaghetti
- Water chestnuts, 5 whole
Clean Protein Sources:
- Organic, grass-fed meat or wild game.
- Sustainable and wild caught fish
Healthy Essential Fats:
- Raw unprocessed nuts such as almond, brazil nuts, cashews, pecans, and walnuts
- Raw unprocessed seeds such as pumpkin and sunflower
- Other healthy fats like organic coconut oil, MCT oil, butter, ghee, and extra virgin olive oil.
High Estrogen Supplement Protocol
- Estro Balance – promotes estrogen balance and relieves hormone-related symptoms.†
- I-3-C Plus – active ingredient indole-3-carbinol promotes healthy metabolism of estrogen, protects against estrogen-related cancers and optimizes estrogen detoxification.†
- Stress Essentials Relax –improves bile flow with Taurine, increases glutathione, and promotes a sense of calm by increasing the GABA/Glutamate ratio in the brain.†
- Chasteberry – supports healthy progesterone levels, reduces PMS symptoms, improves resistance to stress.†
- Nutri-ChelX – upregulates the removal of heavy metals (high iron, mercury, etc.) in a safe fashion by increasing metallothionein production in the cells. This product also will upregulate glutathione levels to further support detox.†
Low Testosterone Supplement Protocol
- Testro Balance – supports healthy testosterone levels by promoting the removal of excess toxic estrogens and increasing testosterone production.†
- DHEA – helps combat low sex hormone levels and improve resistance to stress and increases immune health.†
- His Vitality – provides premium Ayurvedic herbal extract support for healthy male sexual function, libido, and vitality.†
- Nutri-ChelX – upregulates the removal of heavy metals (high iron, mercury, etc.) in a safe fashion by increasing metallothionein production in the cells. This product also will upregulate glutathione levels to further support detox.†
- Stress Essentials Relax –improves bile flow with Taurine, increases glutathione, and promotes a sense of calm by increasing the GABA/Glutamate ratio in the brain.†