Estrogen Blockers

For those who are estrogen dominant or looking to prevent estrogen-dominant conditions, such as breast cancer, a clear option is to use estrogen blockers.

Continue reading to learn more about natural and pharmaceutical options to block estrogen.

Pin

What is an Estrogen Blocker?

An estrogen blocker is any substance that keeps cells from producing or using estrogen. It is a type of hormone antagonist and is also called an antiestrogen.

Many natural estrogen blockers include aromatase inhibitors that block the activity of the enzyme aromatase, which converts androgens into estrogen. They are primarily used in postmenopausal women since their ovaries produce too much aromatase for inhibitors to block it effectively. These inhibitors don't prevent the ovaries from making estrogen. They simply lower estrogen levels in women whose ovaries aren't making estrogen.

Why Use Estrogen Blockers?

Estrogen blockers are principally used to prevent some cancer cells from growing and are used to treat receptor-positive breast cancer. They are continually being studied for their effectiveness to lower initial breast cancer risk as well as the risk for other types of cancer, and estrogen blockers can also be used to prevent disorders from consistently high estrogen levels.

Pin

Food and herbs have been used for centuries to help block estrogen without the clinical side effects. They also boost overall health and wellness by promoting hormonal balance and nourishing one's body accordingly.

Here is a list of some foods, spices, and nutrients found within certain foods that help naturally block estrogen:

• Cruciferous veggies. Broccoli, cauliflower, kale, and brussel sprouts contain a nutrient called diindolylmethane, or DIM, which binds to surplus estrogen to remove it from the body. Cruciferous vegetables are also rich in chlorophyll, which improves liver health for further detoxification.
• Turmeric. Research suggests turmeric reduces the effects of estrogen in some hormone-sensitive cancer cells and has strong anticarcinogenic effects in the skin, stomach, colon, breasts, and other tissues. The bright yellow, anti-inflammatory antioxidant known as curcumin is to credit.
• Citrus fruits. Citrus fruits - including oranges, lemons, grapefruits, and mandarins - are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants that help inhibit the production of estrogen levels in the body to correct hormonal imbalances.
• Chrysin. Passion flowers, honeycombs, and certain mushrooms contain the flavonoid chrysin. Chrysin has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and it is also an aromatase inhibitor that assists in blocking estrogen conversion in the body.
• Grape seed extract. Grape seed extract contains high concentrations of flavonoids that have been proven to be potent inhibitors of aromatase. For this reason, it is especially noted for use in postmenopausal women with a high risk for contracting breast cancer.
• Flaxseed. Flax is known for its lignan, α-linolenic acid, and fiber content, components that may possess phytoestrogenic, anti-inflammatory, and hormone-modulating effects, respectively. Current evidence suggests that flax - a class of lignans - may be associated with a decreased risk of breast cancer since lignans can significantly decrease the growth of carcinogenic cells. Even though this class of phytoestrogens are acclaimed to raise estrogen levels, they can also inhibit estrogenic activity in cells.
  

It is important to note that although natural estrogen blockers are healthier, not all of them are scientifically proven. Because each individual will react to estrogen blockers differently, it is difficult to promise efficacy.

Also, natural estrogen blockers have no effect on xenoestrogens. Xenoestrogens are ingested on a daily basis and must, therefore, be flushed out on a daily basis. This is can be done naturally with detoxifying foods, herbs, and supplements.

Pin

Pharmaceutical estrogen blockers are drugs made to be selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) or aromatase inhibitors.

SERMs bind to estrogen receptors, preventing endogenous estrogen from binding. They block estrogenic activity and serve as estrogen antagonists in some tissues, but they also mimic estrogen effects to serve as estrogen agonists in others.

Some pharmaceutical estrogen blockers have proven to be more effective when used in conjunction with natural estrogen blockers. All of the listed have been approved for use by the FDA:

• Tamoxifen (Nolvadex^®, Tamifen^®, and others). Tamoxifen is an estrogen antagonist (or SERM) used in the treatment of estrogen-dependent breast cancer. The drug binds with estrogen receptors without activating growth of breast cancer cells or causing an increase in cell division. In this way, breast cancer growth is blocked.
• Anastrozole (Arimidex^®, and others). This aromatase inhibitor temporarily inactivates the enzyme. Interestingly, one cohort study examined soy consumption of postmenopausal women who were on Anastrozole. Results found a decreased risk of breast cancer recurrence among those with a daily intake of more than 42 mg of isoflavones.
• Letrozole (Femara^®, and others). Letrozole is another example of an aromatase inhibitor that temporarily inactivates it to block estrogen.
• Exemestane (Aromasin^®, and others). Exemestane is an aromatase inhibitor that permanently inactivates the enzyme.
  

Contrary to natural estrogen blockers, pharmaceutical ones might have long-term side effects. The most adverse reactions are symptoms commonly present in those going through menopause, such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and night sweats. They can also cause muscle and join pain.

Aromatase inhibitors also tend to speed up bone loss and may raise cholesterol. For those reasons, women with osteoporosis and pre-existing coronary heart disease may wish to seek a different route of treatment.

Additionally, since Tamoxifen binds to receptors in the uterus, this proestrogenic effect can cause a rapid increase of cells in the endometrium, leading to uterine cancer. Tamoxifen may also cause strokes and blood clots in the lungs that can serious or fatal.

In sum, by keeping cells from using or producing estrogen, estrogen blockers are consumed to prevent cancer cells from growing as well as to prevent the onset of high estrogen disorders. There is a wide variety of natural and pharmaceutical estrogen blockers available. Natural options include foods, spices, and nutrients, from cruciferous vegetables and citrus fruits to turmeric and chrysin. Pharmaceutical estrogen blockers are made to be SERMs or aromatase inhibitors.

However, these aren't the only options available for achieving ultimate hormonal balance. Discover more options to lower estrogen levels.