Researchers are also gaining new insights into the processes through which
E1, E2, and E3 are metabolized, detoxified, and excreted. These molecules break
down or are detoxified into estrogen metabolites. These metabolites can have
stronger or weaker estrogenic activity—and thus increase a woman’s risk of
breast, uterine, and other cancers. Therefore, understanding estrogen metabolism
and the things we can do to affect it are important to reducing the risk of cancer.
Flaxseed, cruciferous vegetables, omega-3 fatty acids, and exercise can help
with dangerous estrogen metabolites and can prevent cancer.
These female hormones are important for men as well. Estrogen sensitizes the
male brain, and too little estrogen can effectively neuter a man. However, in
men, excess estrogen is the real problem, especially as we get old. Too much
caffeine and obesity can lead to overproduction of this female sex hormone
instead of testosterone, the male sex hormone. Insecticides in our food chain
have also contributed to the phenomenon of excess estrogen in men. Of course, a
disturbance in the estrogentestosterone balance in men can translate into weight
gain.
Men also synthesize progesterone, which is the precursor of testosterone (the
male sex hormone) in smaller amounts. The decline of progesterone in males
plays a role in increasing the conversion rate of testosterone into another
hormone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Excess DHT as we age stimulates the
proliferation of prostate cells, which enlarges the prostate gland and narrows the
urethral channel, leading to urination problems.
FOODS AND OTHERS FACTORS THAT BALANCE ESTROGEN AND
PROGESTERONE INCLUDE: eggs, butter, fish, poultry, whole milk, and
weight loss.
FOODS AND OTHER FACTORS THAT CAN DECREASE OR DISTURB
ESTROGEN AND PROGESTERONE INCLUDE: sugar, fatfree foods,
margarine, excess alcohol, smoking, drugs, a lack of sexual activity, fatfree dairy
products, and obesity.
TESTOSTERONESOURCE: Testes in men, and adrenals in men and women
NORMAL LEVELS: males, varies with age, 241 to 827 ng/dL; females, 60
to 76 ng/dL
FUNCTIONS: Numerous, including weight maintenance