***THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR REGULATED BY THE FDA.  WE ARE NOT DOCTORS, THEREFORE ALWAYS CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR FIRST.

This year, a fascinating paper was published that summarizes 10 ways that melatonin produces its anti-cancer effects.

• anti-proliferative effects

• induction of apoptosis

• modulation of the immune system

• metabolic effects

• anti-angiogenic activity

• anti-metastatic effects

• anti-estrogenic effects

• inhibition of telomerase activity

• anti-oxidant activity

• regulation of genomic stability

Melatonin has anti-estrogenic effects that can help with estrogen related breast cancer, endometriosis, adenomyosis and fibroids. 

The anti-cancer effects of melatonin have been studied extensively in hormone-dependent breast cancer, in particular regarding estrogen. Melatonin is seen to interfere with the following:

1. The activation of the estrogen receptor.  It is considered to be a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), that decreases both the expression of estrogen receptors alpha (ERα), and the ability of ERα to bind to DNA
2. The invasiveness of breast cancer cells, reducing the risk of metastasis
3. In the production and metabolism of estrogen. Melatonin inhibits the enzymes involved in the synthesis of estrogen, thus leads to lower levels of estrogens. It is considered to be a selective estrogen enzyme modulator. 
4. Melatonin is also seen to be involved in the metabolism of estrogen, transforming estradiol into its inactive estrogen sulphate/sulfate form. This is another example of SEEM activity.

Melatonin is, as far as is known, the only molecule that has both SERM and SEEM properties. This double mechanism of anti-estrogenic effects, plus its invasiveness effects yields melatonin’s unique advantages for the treatment of hormone positive breast cancer.

These anti-estrogen effects may also important beyond breast cancer in estrogen dominance and other conditions associated with estrogen imbalances. 

Many observational studies have looked at whether low melatonin levels are associated with increased risk of breast cancer. In a study on 3,699 post-menopausal women [2], the results show that those with the highest levels of melatonin (from urine assessment)  have a 44% reduced risk of invasive BC compared to those with lowest levels. This association was even stronger (62%) in those who had never smoked or were past smokers. Two other large studies showed similar results. [3,4].

Women working night shifts are also shown to have higher rates of breast cancer. Studies have shown that these women have lower (approx 50%) melatonin levels. The reduction in peak melatonin levels was even shown to correlate directly with the size of tumors in these women. 

There are many scientific studies that indicate melatonin may enhance the effects of some of the chemotherapy medications used to treat breast cancer. In one study, women whose tumors did not respond well to tamoxifen opted to take melatonin and found there was a low percentage of those who experienced the shrinkage of their tumors.

Sleep problems can affect our quality of life. If you're having trouble sleeping, especially during or after breast cancer treatments, you may need to discuss this with your doctor.

Instead of opting for prescription drugs, ask your oncologist if melatonin might be beneficial for you.

After reading the information contained in this article published by the Journal of Pineal Research, some women decided to continue taking melatonin for the rest of their life as part of an alternative healing therapy regimen for breast cancer.

The present study shows that melatonin prevents, within the first cell cycle, the estradiol-induced growth of synchronized MCF7 breast cancer cells. By using nuclear extracts of these cells, they examined the binding of estradiol-estrogen receptor complexes to estrogen-responsive elements and found that the addition of estradiol to whole cells activates the binding of the estrogen receptor to DNA whereas melatonin blocks this interaction. By contrast, melatonin neither affects the binding of estradiol to its receptor nor the receptor nuclear localization. Moreover, it also shows that addition of estradiol to nuclear extracts stimulates the binding of estrogen receptor to DNA, but this activation is also prevented by melatonin. The inhibitory effect caused by melatonin is saturable at nano molar concentrations and does not appear to be mediated by RZR nuclear receptors. The effect is also specific, since indol derivatives do not cause significant inhibition. Furthermore, melatonin does not interact with the estrogen receptor in the absence of estradiol. Together, these results demonstrate that melatonin interferes with the activation of estrogen receptor by estradiol. The effect of melatonin suggests the presence of a receptor that, upon melatonin addition, destabilizes the binding of the estradiol-estrogen receptor complex to the estrogen responsive element.

We’ve looked at some studies that showed significant effects of melatonin on cancer and quality of life, but how does melatonin achieve this? There are several different mechanisms, but today we will focus on just one: melatonin’s anti-estrogenic effects. This might be important for breast cancer (BC) and other hormonal imbalances. Since Melatonin is also classified as a cytotoxin, or a substance that has a toxic effect on certain cells, Melatonin acts a tumor suppressor.

Here are a few ways that Melatonin may prove to be a powerful ally for you in protecting your health:

1. Melatonin puts Breast Cancer cells to sleep.

 David E. Blask, MD, PhD, a widely acclaimed expert in cancer biology demonstrated that night time melatonin blood levels directly suppressed human Breast Cancer cell growth.

He found that Melatonin put Breast Cancer cells to sleep and slowed Breast Cancer growth by 70%

According to Dr. Blask, “Nighttime Melatonin is a relevant anticancer signal to human Breast Cancers. Ninety percent of human Breast Cancers have specific receptors for this signal.”

When Blask’s team exposed laboratory mice with human Breast Cancers cells to constant light, the breast tumor growth dramatically increased.

   2. Melatonin protects from Estrogen overdose

There is a new buzz word in the environment called “Xeno-estrogens”. Xeno-estrogens are chemicals that actually mimic estrogen in the body. Persistently high levels of estrogen have been associated with an increased risk of Breast Cancer.

Examples of Xeno-estrogens are insecticides, pesticides, food preservatives such as BHA, hormones injected into meats and dairy cows, plastics, parabens in skin care products, 4 MBC in sunscreens, and the list goes on…..

3. Melatonin counteracts the effect of estrogen on Breast Cancer cell growth

4. Melatonin has an anti-carcinogenic role in inhibiting cancer cell growth and in reducing oxidative stress.

5. For women who choose conventional medical therapies, Melatonin is a suitable treatment for reducing the side effects associated with chemotherapy and radiation.

6. Melatonin causes cancer cells to die.  

7. Melatonin is a powerful anti-oxidant with immune enhancing properties. Melatonin also reduced the risk of death in cancer patients in a study conducted in Ontario Canada.

Since Melatonin production peaks in the darkness, make sure that your bedroom is completely light free.

Even a small light can disturb melatonin production. Also, clear out the electronic gadgets from your bedroom since EMF’s have a strong impact on reducing the effectiveness of Melatonin.  This includes televisions, phones laptops, internet devices, etc.

For women that are trying to be proactive with prevention or are on a Breast Cancer healing journey, you may want to consider getting your Melatonin levels checked. This simple test can determine how deficient you may be and what you can do to increase the production of this vital cytotoxic hormone.

Since Melatonin is such a powerful Breast Cancer inhibitor, make sure it is part of your protocol so that you can not only enjoy a restful sleep, but you can also have the peace of mind that Melatonin is hard at work for you.

Conclusion

Concerning BC, studies show that:

• low levels of melatonin are a risk factor for BC

• there is an inverse relationship between melatonin levels and tumor size (i.e., the lower the peak level, the larger the tumor)

• concurrent supplemental melatonin can improve chemotherapy outcomes and reduce side effects in BC

• melatonin has effects on both estrogen receptors and estrogen production

Considering melatonin has other anti-cancer mechanisms, such as anti-oxidant, immune-modulating, anti-inflammatory, etc., in addition to its anti-estrogen effects suggests that supplemental melatonin may be of use for BC patients. This seems to be indicated for both prevention and for combined treatment with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. While further definitive trials are needed, melatonin has been demonstrated to be nontoxic, and its benefits on sleep are also important for cancer patients. 

What works for one person, might not work for you. And results from clinical trials come up with statistics, and you aren’t a statistic. If you decide you want to add melatonin to your regimen, try working with a health care provider; if you have cancer, make sure you tell your oncologist. 

References

1. Cardinali et al., 2016. Melatonin-Induced Oncostasis, Mechanisms and Clinical 

Relevance. J. Integr. Oncol., S1: 006.

2. Schernhammer ES, Berrino F, Krogh V, et al. 2008. Urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin levels and risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women. J Natl Cancer Inst. 100(12):898-905.
3. Schernhammer ES, Hankinson SE. 2005. Urinary melatonin levels and breast cancer risk. J Natl Cancer Inst. 97(14):1084-1087.
4.  Schernhammer ES, Hankinson SE. 2009. Urinary melatonin levels and postmenopausal breast cancer risk in the Nurses’ Health Study cohort. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 18(1):74-79.
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/10224229/

***THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR REGULATED BY THE FDA.  WE ARE NOT DOCTORS, THEREFORE ALWAYS CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR FIRST.

By: Ashuri

By now most people have heard of melatonin and perhaps use or have used a supplement form to help them with sleep. While it is most commonly associated with sleep, what many people don’t know is that melatonin also has a myriad of other health benefits ranging from alleviating depression to strengthening the immune system to protecting against cancer and heart disease. 

What is melatonin? For those who are new to the information, melatonin is a chemical hormone produced by the pineal gland. It plays an important role in the regulation of sleep cycles. Melatonin is released at night in response to the change of light. As the sun goes down, light receptors in the eyes detect the darkness and send signals to the brain telling the pineal gland to begin producing melatonin which is what makes us begin to get sleepy and feel ready for bed. Throughout the night melatonin continues to be released in increments to keep us asleep. This may seem like no big deal, but did you know that melatonin also plays a huge role in the body’s physiological functions? That means that when you are not getting proper sleep, not only are you crabby in the morning, but many of your organs and other bodily functions are suffering on a chemical level. 

So what’s the problem? Even though our bodies naturally produce melatonin, modern day factors are damaging that process if we are not mindful. We are living in a time where it is “normal” to work 8-12 hour days in an office underneath fluorescent lighting, staring at computers and then going home to spend a good majority of the rest of our days staring at smartphones, flat screen televisions, and more computers. The artificial lights from these devices are greatly responsible for the decrease in our natural melatonin production because the unnatural blue and white lights that come from these devices trick our brains into believing that it is daytime and therefore cause our pineal glands to stop producing melatonin. In addition to the artificial light damaging our body’s natural cycles, stress, medication, EMF’s, nutrition-less diets, lack of physical activity, and poor bedtime routines are also largely responsible. For a short time a lack of sleep doesn’t seem like a big deal, but the problem is that this easily becomes a habit and long term the effects of not producing enough melatonin are detrimental to your health. The short term effects begin with anxiety, depression, fatigue, brain fog, inflammation, inability to focus, insomnia, restlessness, poor digestion, poor circulation, breakouts and the list goes on. Long term, the effects can turn into severe depression and anxiety, ADHD, poor immune function, blood pressure and blood sugar instability, major digestive disorders such as leaky gut, reproductive diseases, plague and degeneration of brain tissues, Alzheimer’s disease, nervous system diseases, heart disease, and accelerated cancer cell growth. 

Why should I consider taking melatonin? In addition to regular exercise, a good bedtime routine, and a nutrition rich diet, studies have shown that melatonin supplementation may effectively restore balance to your body and its natural cycles. Melatonin is an incredible antioxidant. It travels throughout the body scavenging free radicals while protecting and repairing damaged cells. Melatonin diffuses easily into all cells and is even able to cross the blood brain barrier meaning that it is able to get into the brain and spinal cord, which is what has lead researchers to believe in its ability to protect against Alzheimer’s disease. Studies have shown that people with diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and who have suffered a stroke have low levels of melatonin. Adding a melatonin supplement in these cases was shown to reduce brain inflammation and repair and protect the neurons from deterioration. 

There’s more! If what you’ve read so far about the benefits of melatonin has peaked your interest here are some of the other amazing ways that melatonin can improve your health…

- Melatonin receptors are found all over the body, especially in the ovaries, intestines, blood vessels, and brain. Adding melatonin supplementation to your routine can help protect all of these functions from damage and repair damage that has already been done.

- Reduces inflammation in the body, especially in the brain and may help regrow new neurons. 

- Slows down the division of cancer and tumor cells throughout the body, especially in sex hormone cancers by cutting down estrogen’s inclination to increase cell growth. (Studies have shown that melatonin has a balancing effect on reproductive hormones explaining why it seems to protect against cancers of the reproductive organs such as ovarian, endometrial, prostate, testicular and breast). 

- Balances ALL hormones in the body. (Hormones are not limited to reproductive organs. They’re responsible for a majority of the body’s major functions including kidney function, digestion, immune etc.). 

-  Strengthens the immune system and increases the production of immune system substances.  

-  Helps counteract the toxic effects of chemotherapy. (In a study of patients undergoing chemotherapy the results showed that the patients given a 20mg dose of melatonin at night showed a higher rate of survival than those who were not. In addition the patients given melatonin showed a significant reduction in side effects of chemotherapy including heart damage, mouth sores, fatigue, anxiety, decreased blood platelets, and neuotoxicity). 

- Helps with symptoms and effects  of drug withdrawal.

- Reduction and prevention of migraine headaches.

- Increased mental clarity and focus.

- Improved quality of sleep 

And the list goes on …

All things considered, remember that supplementation of any kind is not intended to replace a nutrient rich diet, exercise, good self-care and healthy living habits, but instead it is meant to supplement what is lacking from your current routine until you can get to where you need to be. Keep in mind that every single person’s body is unique and requires different things for their own perfect health. Don’t take anything you read at face value. Do your research, find alternate sources of information, and try many different avenues until you find the one that works for you. That applies to not only to your physical health, but also to your mind and soul. Well wishes on your journey of being your best you… 

Additional sources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4334454/

https://www.lifeextension.com/magazine/2007/6/nu_melatonin/Page-01

https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/10/10/melatonin.aspx

https://www.drwhitaker.com/beyond-sleep-other-benefits-of-melatonin 

Lissoni P, Barni S, Mandala M, et al. Decreased toxicity and increased efficacy of cancer chemotherapy using the pineal hormone melatonin in metastatic solid tumour patients with poor clinical status. Eur J Cancer. 1999 Nov;35(12):1688-92.

Cos S, Gonzalez A, Martinez-Campa C, et al. Estrogen-signaling pathway: a link between breast cancer and melatonin oncostatic actions. Cancer Detect Prev. 2006;30(2):118-28.

Sanchez-Barcelo EJ, Cos S, Mediavilla D, et al. Melatonin-estrogen interactions in breast cancer. J Pineal Res. 2005 May;38(4):217-22.

Lissoni P, Barni S, Meregalli S, et al. Modulation of cancer endocrine therapy by melatonin: a phase II study of tamoxifen plus melatonin in metastatic breast cancer patients progressing under tamoxifen alone. Br J Cancer.1995 Apr;71(4):854-6.

Reiter RJ, Tan DX, Leon J, Kilic U, Kilic E. When melatonin gets on your nerves: its beneficial actions in experimental models of stroke. Exp Biol Med (Maywood.). 2005 Feb;230(2):104-17.

***THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR REGULATED BY THE FDA.  WE ARE NOT DOCTORS, THEREFORE ALWAYS CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR FIRST.

Until recently, soy has been a common ingredient in many popular foods. Particularly hot in the vegan market, soy propaganda has labeled it heart healthy and beneficial to humans. Men who have diets high in soy are at risk for potential hormone imbalance, gynecomastia (breast enlargement), reduction of libido, infertility, and increased risk in cancer. For women, early puberty, linked to estrogen dominance (can lead to endometriosis), infertility, menstrual troubles, and cancer (although soy propaganda claims it can reduce the risk of breast cancer).

Many vegans or individuals who substitute soy for meat aren’t actually aware of the risk of mineral deficiencies for vitamin B12, vitamin D, zinc, iron, calcium, and magnesium (which much of the American population is already deficient in) due to the high amount of phytic acid present in the soybean. The soybean contains high quantities of natural toxins, also known as antinutrients. Soybeans also contain a potent enzyme inhibitor called trypsin; even though soy is used by many athletes for protein intake, the enzyme trypsin actually inhibits correct protein digestion and is acts as a growth inhibitor. The enzymes are not deactivated when cooked or fermented. A common argument is that the soybean contains all amino acids making it a healthy protein but it can also produce gastric distress, reduce protein digestion, and lead to a deficiency in amino acid uptake. Goitrogens are present in soy, placing it in the category of foods that promote the formation of goiter, an enlarged thyroid. Soy can also cause endocrine disruption. Soy contains lectins and oxalates, causing kidney stones and the clumping of red blood cells which causes inflammation. Soy also prevents the intestines from healing even when gluten is removed.

When studied in animals, a high intake of soy had detrimental effects to their health such as pathological conditions of the pancreas including cancer. Soy is 99% GMO, which means the soy you’re eating is highly contaminated with pesticides and most likely sprayed with Monsanto’s weed killer, glyphosate. GMO soy also contains a gene that can mutate and produce natural toxins in your body. The recent demand of soy is actually depleting our crops and making us sick, the soy crop strips the soil of beneficial nutrients. It contains high levels of aluminum and nitrates because they are acid washed and processed at high temperatures. Much livestock is fed GMO soy that makes them sick as it would humans, and of course, we end up eating their meat, passing on the harmful properties.

A good idea is to stay away from all forms of soy, even supplemental, such as soy isoflavones (genistein- the main isoflavone in soy, is linked to numerous health effects such as infertility, altered reproduction, and abnormal embryo development), or soy protein isolate which can cause adverse effects to your body the same way as eating the whole soybean may. The same way it could harm a small mouse who is fed soy (according to several small animal studies), would be just as detrimental for a developing child, which is why you should keep soy far away from infants.

By Jena Covello and Alexa Ouaknine

Did you know that last year the Environmental Working Group found strawberries to be the “dirtiest” produce source, with spinach coming in second? Even after some conventional fruits and vegetables are washed and peeled, pesticide residue often remains. It’s clear that consumers prefer eating fruits and vegetables that are grown free of synthetic pesticides. It’s also clear that an all-organic diet is becoming an option for everyone, with online stores like Thrive Market offering discounts.  If just 16% of Americans only ate organic, we would put Monsanto out of business. The more we continue to only eat organic, the cheaper the prices will become. Here is a list of the 12 most contaminated fruits and veggies we MUST buy organic, as well as the clean 15- which hardly test for any pesticides and don’t require an organic sticker.  

 “The Dirty Dozen”: The top twelve fruits and veggies that are recommend you purchase organic.

Dirty Dozen:

• Apples
• Celery
• Tomatoes
• Cherries
• Pears
• Grapes
• Nectarines
• Peaches
• Potatoes
• Spinach
• Strawberries
• Sweet Bell Peppers

“The Clean Fifteen”: The fruits and veggies that you can eat conventionally because pesticides wash off so easily and are not absorbed.

 Clean Fifteen:

• Avocado
• Sweet Corn
• Pineapple
• Cabbage
• Onions
• Sweet Peas
• Papayas
• Asparagus
• Mangoes
• Eggplant
• Honeydew
• Kiwis
• Cantaloupe
• Cauliflower
• Broccoli

By Alexa Ouaknine

***THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR REGULATED BY THE FDA.  WE ARE NOT DOCTORS, THEREFORE ALWAYS CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR FIRST.

***After 10 days of celery juice every morning on an empty stomach, the dry, flakey skin on my legs is completely gone and the intense itching sensation that ive experienced every day for my whole life has significantly decreased. Blemishes on my face are healing much quicker and the internal moisture I’m getting from the celery juice has moisturized my skin from the inside out. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that I have a glow and softness to my skin that I’ve never had before. This is with no other dietary or product changes besides drinking celery juice every morning.

It’s safe to say it is pretty likely that anyone reading Medical Medium by Anthony Williams has incorporated fresh celery juice into their morning routine after reading all about its many benefits. Its healing properties are profound and those who have tried it swear by its effects. Anthony Williams says that celery juice is one of the most powerful and healing juices we can drink and even claims that the transformations can happen in as little as a week. I know celery on its own sounds pretty bland and boring, but its nutritional and healing benefits far outweigh any cons. Celery juice offers enzymes and coenzymes and raises hydrochloric acid in the stomach so that food is easily digested and does not putrefy during the process. This helps prevent a multitude of gastrointestinal disorders. The benefits range far and wide, but one we are most impressed with in particular is the effect it has on pain-related inflammation. This just may be one of the simplest things you can do to make a big difference in how you feel.

 Inflammation is at the heart of all disease. Chronic inflammation is part of the body’s immune response and can be linked to autoimmune disorders, skin problems like acne, psoriasis, and eczema, chronic joint pain, arthritis, fatigue, bloating, and even brain fog and depression. Celery’s anti-inflammatory compounds, luteolin and polyacetylenes, inhibit the enzymes responsible for inflammation and work to lower inflammatory prostaglandins. Luteolin and polyacetylene provide relief for all inflammation in the body. Celery is one of the most powerful anti-inflammatory foods because it starves the bad bacteria, yeast, mold, funguses and viruses that are present in the body, while allowing the good bacteria to thrive. It is hydrating on a cellular level, helping to flush toxins and debris out of the intestinal tract and liver and making it the perfect drink for repairing the gut lining. In doing so, pathogens, which are often the underlying cause of inflammation, are killed off, giving our body the break it needs to be able to handle more without inflaming.

 How you do it

 Start with 16 ounces of celery (about one full head of celery) juice every morning upon waking. Make sure you are drinking the juice on an empty stomach in order to raise hydrochloric acid levels and set you up for easy digestion for the rest of the day. If you do not have a juicer, you can chop up the celery and blend it in a high power blender with a splash of filtered water, and then strain in a nut milk bag or sieve. Try to buy organic celery whenever possible.

 Other benefits of 100% celery juice

 It is an important alkalizing food

• Celery rids the body of acids and toxins while cleansing the liver and blood stream.

 Natural diuretic

• Effective in flushing toxins out of the body and reducing stomach bloat.

 Reduces cravings

• In restoring adrenals and providing essential nutrients, cravings reduce. When our body’s nutritional needs are being met, cravings are much less an issue.

 Reduces brain fog

• The mineral salts in celery juice feed electrical impulse activity and support neuron function, which is key if you suffer with ADHD, brain fog, or memory loss. When it comes to celery, think electrolytes. It hydrates on a deep cellular level, lessening your chances of suffering from migraines.

 Reduces cancer risk

• The high amount of antioxidants help combat free radicals, which in turn betters general health and lowers chances of developing cancer.

 Boosts recovery

• High in antioxidants.
• Rehydrates you and replenishes important electrolytes like sodium and potassium.
• Contains coumarins that are known to reduce the stress hormone cortisol and enhance the activity of white blood cells.

 Great for skin

• High in minerals, which support glowing skin and anti-aging.
• Good source of Vitamin K, which is beneficial for skin firmness and elasticity.
• Contains Vitamin C.
• Extremely hydrating.

 If you suffer from fibroids, endometriosis, adenomyosis or PCOS, you’re most likely producing too much estrogen.  In addition to these diseases, estrogen dominance overstimulates both the brain and body. All of these symptoms are exacerbated by stress. Many women in their thirties and early forties find that they experience moderate to severe symptoms of estrogen dominance as they approach perimenopause.  Additional symptoms are:

• Decreased sex drive
• Irregular or otherwise abnormal or painful menstrual periods
• Bloating (water retention)
• Breast swelling and tenderness
• Fibrocystic breasts
• Headaches
• Mood swings (most often irritability and depression)
• Weight and/or fat gain (particularly around the abdomen and hips)
• Cold hands and feet (a symptom of thyroid dysfunction)
• Hair loss
• Thyroid dysfunction
• Sluggish metabolism
• Foggy thinking, memory loss
• Fatigue
• Trouble sleeping/insomnia
• PMS
• Leaky Gut

 Estrogen dominance has been linked to weight gain, leaky gut, allergies, autoimmune disorders, breast and uterine cancer, infertility, ovarian cysts, and increased blood clotting, and is also associated with acceleration of the aging process.

 What Causes Estrogen Dominance:

 When a woman’s menstrual cycle is normal, estrogen is the dominant hormone for the first two weeks leading up to ovulation. Estrogen is balanced by progesterone during the last two weeks. In industrialized countries such as the United States, there can be many other causes, including:

• Excess body fat (greater than 28%)
• Too much stress, resulting in excess amounts of cortisol, insulin, and norepinephrine, which can lead to adrenal exhaustion and can also adversely affect overall hormonal balance
• A low-fiber diet with excess refined carbohydrates, soy and guar that is deficient in nutrients and high quality fats
• Impaired immune function (MTHFR)
• Leaky Gut
• Environmental agents
• Constipation
• A diet high in soy, refined sugar and wheat
• Using skincare and makeup that contain endocrine disruptors
• Drinking from plastic water bottles (plastic contains xenoestrogens)
• Heavy metal toxicity
• Cleaning supplies
• Low levels of progesterone
• Inability to ovulate

 Ways to Decrease Estrogen Dominance:

***THIS IS THE WAY WE PERSONALLY DECREASED ESTROGEN DOMINANCE.  WE ARE NOT DOCTORS, THEREFORE ALWAYS CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR FIRST AND THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN REGULATED BY THE FDA.

1. Increase nutrients in the diet: Take a high potency multivitamin/mineral combination. The following supplements are imperative to cut estrogen: DIM, a multi vitamin B, and D3 combined with K2.
2. Follow a hormone-balancing, anti inflammatory diet such as AIP or Keto:

• Eat lots of fresh and vegetables (6-9 cups per day, particularly cruciferous vegetables)
• Adequate protein from organic sources
• Cut all refined sugar, gluten and soy
• Moderate amounts of healthy fat
• Minimize the amount of fruit you are eating
• Minimize your intake of eggs, nuts, seeds and dairy
• Eliminate coffee and chocolate
• Avoid flax, it is estrogenic 

3. Remember to get enough fiber. Estrogen is excreted by the bowel; if stool remains in the bowel, estrogen is reabsorbed. Monthly colonics and probiotics help significantly.  Eating 6-9 cups of vegetables per day will also help.
4. Use transdermal bioidentical progesterone cream ( If you have adenomyosis, natural progesterone usually makes the symtoms worse. Consult with your doctor first.
5. Lose excess body fat and get regular exercise
6. Detox your liver: The liver’s capacity to cleanse the blood of estrogen is compromised when it is overloaded with xenoestrogens and heavy metals. You can detox the liver by:

• Starting your day with a glass of hot water and lemon
• Eating cilantro daily
• Take an organic sulfur supplement every day
• Take a multi vitamin B supplement
• Take a DIM supplement
• Take a high dose of vitamin C
• Avoid canola oil
• Avoid alcohol
• Consistently using castor oil packs on the liver and stomach will not only detox the liver, it will also shrink fibroids and adenomyosis.  They must be used consistently and results are only shown after 6-9 months of daily use aside from the week you are menstruating

7. Only purchase natural household cleaning supplies, makeup and skincare products
8. Avoid aluminum antiperspirant and stop cooking with aluminum pots, pans and foil. Aluminum is an endocrine disruptor that wreaks havoc on hormones and contributes to estrogen dominance.
9. Decrease stress: When you are stressed, the body makes more estrogen. It is so important to meditate, stay calm and practice yoga or another relaxing exercise.
10. Sweat!  Preferable in a steam room.  Sweating detoxes the body.
11. Avoid the following xenoestrogens:

• Commercially raised meat and dairy such as beef, pork, chicken, milk, butter, cheese and ice cream
• Food that is not organic, which contains pesticides
• Tap water
• Parabans in skincare products
• Plastic water bottles
• Phthalates aka soft plastics used in wrapping foods. Avoid drinking hot liquids in Styrofoam cups and only store food in glass containers
• Artificial sweeteners and MSG
• Dryer Sheets
• Birth Control Pills and HRT
• Menstrual products that are not organic

11. Lastly, if you’re estrogen dominant, it means you aren’t producing enough progesterone. You can boost your progesterone levels with the following supplements:

• Vitamin B6 is proven to increase progesterone production and reduce blood estrogen levels, leading to improvements in PMS symptoms, as well as fertility. It’s considered one of the best vitamins to boost progesterone.
• Vitamin C is an ascorbic acid that assists the ovaries in the ovulation process. At a dose of 750 mg/day, vitamin C has been shown to raise progesterone levels in women with both low progesterone and a luteal phase deficiency (when the second half of the menstrual cycle is 10 days or less, or if progesterone level is low on day 21 of the cycle, or both).
• Vitamin E is an important antioxidant to help protect sperm and egg DNA integrity. A study conducted at John Hopkins University showed that vitamin E (at a dose of 800 IU/day for 10 weeks) corrects the progesterone-estrogen ratio, increases a woman’s libido, and normalizes her menstrual cycle.
• Magnesium influences the pituitary gland, which releases FSH (follicular stimulating hormone), LH (luteinizing hormone) and TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone). These hormones, in turn, regulate the production of estrogen and progesterone.
• Zinc is another mineral that supports fertility. It stimulates the pituitary gland to release FSH, which triggers the production of estrogen and promote ovulation. And ovulation will, in turn, signal the increase of progesterone.
• L-arginine is an amino acid that helps widen and relax arteries and blood vessels, increasing blood flow in the body. At a dose of 6 grams per day, it’s been shown to improve the blood supply to the corpus luteum (the egg follicle that releases progesterone