Quote:Plant-based or Phytoestrogens
Plant estrogens, are rich in hormone-modulating factors called phytoestrogens, many of which can actually help reduce harmful estrogen activity in the body, particularly related to reducing the growth and spread of cancer cells. However, there is emerging evidence that some phytoestrogens may, in fact, do the opposite, and cause negative effects similar to estrogenic chemicals — causing cancer and promoting their growth.
Harmful phytoestrogens
* Soy. Soy is the most estrogenic plant found in nature and promotes estrogenic activity that harms the body as much as synthetic xenoestrogens. The body recognizes the highly bioactive form of soy isoflavones (phytoestrogens) as harmful toxins that need to be neutralized and eliminated. Soy should be considered a drug given the way it disrupts your hormones. It actually suppresses progesterone concentrations in the body. Soy is heavily promoted to relieve menopausal symptoms (which are really estrogen dominant symptoms). It is now known that these vegetables work by competitively occupying the estrogen receptor sites on the cell membrane to prevent internal estrogen from exerting its effects on the cell. Those who have estrogen dominance may therefore experience relief of symptoms as phytoestrogens are many times weaker than the estrogen in our body. While phytoestrogens may relieve symptoms, you still do not rid your body of excess estrogen, the cause of your symptoms. It is far more beneficial to rid the estrogen from the receptor sites and replace them with progesterone. NEVER take soy isoflavones or soy as a supplement. For more info about soy, read my blog The Hidden Dangers of Soy. Fermented forms of soy like natto, soy sauce, tempeh, and miso do not have the same estrogenic properties and are ok to eat. Beware positive articles on soy. Most studies on soy are sponsored by grants from soy producers. This is why it is difficult to find negative information on soy. Soy is a cheap commodity that generates multibillion-dollar profits to soy manufacturers worldwide. Don’t fall prey to the hype.
* The most potent estrogenic plants, besides soy, are licorice and red clover. Avoid them. They both show potent progesterone-inhibiting properties. Studies show that all kinds of licorice are estrogenic. Cows fed red clover become infertile.
* No sunflower oil, safflower oil, cottonseed oil, or canola oil. These are all estrogenic. Use olive oil instead.
* Avoid hops (beer). It is very likely that the typical beer belly may be related to excess estrogenic activity in the body due to binge drinking. Alcohol also affects the liver’s ability to metabolize excess estrogen, so it builds up in the body.
* Similarly, avoid dong quai, damiana, verbena, and motherwort.
* Avoid black cohosh. It is used for relief of menopausal symptoms, but there are many reports of its cancer-promoting effects and liver-damaging effects after long-term use.
* Avoid tea tree oil. The NIH has found that tea tree products have estrogenic effects that stimulate growth of estrogen-sensitive breast cancer cells. Gynecomastia (enlarged breasts) in men and boys can be caused by the use of products containing tea tree oil.
Source: http://www.liveto110.com/estrogen-dominance-syndrome/