Happy Tuesday to you all. Later this morning I will be speaking with Emma Beswick the founder and CEO of Lifecode Gx. Some of the things mentioned in this post will be covered then too.
Do take time to watch the recorded videos available to you, as they may help you to follow and understand these posts.
As you know, detoxification is happening all day every day. IT DOES NOT STOP.
There are lifestyle and genetic factors that can interfere and slow down this process.
Used hormones and specifically oestrogen needs to be taken out of the body. If this process isn´t effective it will use up important nutrients that could be useful to other pathways in the body, such as energy production, and can possibly create the imbalance of the ratio between oestrogen to progesterone in the body (higher levels of oestrogen relative to progesterone). This delicate balance is crucial to how we feel as women and what symptoms may affect us.
There are three phases to convert oestrogen into a form that can be excreted from the body. This conversion of the 3 different oestrogens is also explained in the E-book under “How do we balance our oestrogen levels?”
Phase 1 DETOXIFICATION primarily happens in the LIVER (but not entirely) and is where the main oestrogens (oestrone and oestradiol) are pushed down one of 3 pathways, known as HYDROXYLATION. We have enzymes that help with the conversions.
- CYP1A1 and 1A2 create the “least carcinogenic” form of oestrogen called 2-OH oestrogen. Hopefully your body prefers this pathway.
- CYP1B1 creates the “more carcinogenic” 4-OH oestrogen. You don´t want too much oestrogen going down this pathway.
- CYP3A4 creates the more “proliferative” (growing) 16-OH oestrogen. Helpful for bones, but not helpful for boobs.
Next comes Phase 2 – You don´t want this phase to be sluggish as the oestrogens that have been partially converted can be more damaging than the original version (my CLEANSE & REBOOT ladies will know all about this!)
The oestrogens are neutralised by a process using yet another enzyme called “COMT” in a process called METHYLATION, OR another enzyme will push the oestrogen metabolites through another pathway called GLUCORONIDATION.
COMT is sometimes slow as many have a genetic defect with a gene called MTHFR. Support comes from Magnesium, Zinc, choline (eggs), Methylated B12, folate and other B vitamins and more.
Having high levels of oestrogen relative to progesterone may slow down the COMT enzyme which is needed for detoxification.
Once oestrogens are broken down they are ready for Phase 3. The body needs to pee or poop out the oestrogen. Although this is explained as Phase 1, 2 and 3, it needs to be addressed backwards from 3, 2 to 1. This means daily pooping is essential to get rid of unused oestrogens and constipation can lead to oestrogen excess.
Foods like broccoli, kale, cauliflower and brussels sprouts, and MICROGREENS (broccoli sprouts etc) support the 2-OH pathway and may help lower 4-OH Oestrogens.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CRUCIFEROUS VEGGIES AND BROCCOLI SPROUTS, FOR OESTROGEN SUPPORT
Broccoli belongs to the brassica family of veggies including: brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, collard greens and mustard greens. These veggies have an ingredient in them called INDOLE-3-CARBINOL (I3C). When I3C hits the acid in your stomach 10-60% is converted to DI-INDOLYMETHANE (DIM). DIM binds to a receptor in the body to encourage phase 1 of the oestrogen detox pathways and promotes the enzyme 2-DEHYDROXYLASE to produce 2-OH oestrogen, which is the type of oestrogen that is least carcinogenic. Overall DIM favours production of protective oestrogens and reduces the bad oestrogens. However you need to eat lots of these veggies (600g/day for many years for big effects to happen) – However, every small amount helps: for every 10g increase in consumption there is an 8% increase in the 2:16 oestrogen ratio which is very positive. If this pathway is an issue for you (based upon test results) there are supplements that can be taken to help push towards the more “protective” type of oestrogen.
SULFORAPHANE is found in broccoli SPROUTS. These sprouts contain 2 key ingredients called Glucoraphanin and Myrosinase – When we chew the sprouts these two ingredients combine to form sulforaphane. This is very useful if you have too much 4OH oestrogen (which increases cancer risk). If this “naughty oestrogen” is heading down that pathway (Phase 2), sulphoraphane helps turn it around.
TODAY`S TIP:
One tablespoon of flaxseeds every day
Flaxseeds contain phytoestrogens, the molecules in plants that can dock to oestrogen receptors in the body. These are important to women in midlife because they can level out fluctuating oestrogen levels and help mop up excess oestrogen in the body as well as provide a weak oestrogenic effect if you are low in oestrogen.
Ground flaxseed added daily to the diet for 6 weeks has shown to reduce symptoms of menopause by 50%. You can also add Flaxseed oil to dressings.
