If you have estrogen dominance symptoms, the first thing I ask when you sit down with me as a patient is, “why”. Why are your estrogen levels above the normal range? Do you have low progesterone accounting for the symptoms? Or is there another underlying hormone imbalance all together?
When excess estrogen is discovered, poor estrogen detox is often part of that answer.
In Part 1 of this series, I discussed Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3 pathways of estrogen detoxification as a background to today’s conversation about estrogen dominance treatment.
Keep reading to learn more about:
Estrogen Detoxification Protocol:
The functional medicine approach to supporting estrogen detoxification is highly personal. We begin by building a complete picture through intake and advanced testing which includes DUTCH hormone testing and functional stool analysis. It’s important to keep in mind that each woman’s treatment protocol is different, and that your protocol will not look the same as someone else’s.
The pathway to estrogen detoxification starts with Phase 1 and 2 in the liver and then ends with Phase 3 in the gut. When we look at your treatment, we want to work in reverse. First, we want to optimize gut health and therefore promote estrogen clearance. Otherwise we run the risk of estrogen recirculating.
Think about it this way—if you want to drain dirty bathwater, you first need to make sure the drain is clear. Likewise, before we push detoxification in the liver, it’s important to clear the drain (the colon).
Estrogen Dominance Diet, Nutrition and Supplements
Remember that each woman has unique needs and that it is very important to test instead of guessing. Always be sure to receive guidance from a qualified practitioner with knowledge about the estrogen detox process.
Here are some tips and tools to consider to support optimal function during each phase of detoxification.
Step One: Support Phase 3:
Increasing whole plant foods and fermented foods are important dietary approaches combined with supplements such as probiotics.
Step Two, Support Phase 2
Estrogen detox supplements
For more information about how to use a plant-forward diet for estrogen clearance, read: Plant Based Promotes Estrogen Detox.
Step Three, Support Phase 1
Your body is striving for balance. When estrogen levels are high, supporting the body’s ability to clear the excess estrogen is an important piece of the picture. Understanding the phases of detoxification and how to support them naturally with food and lifestyle is nothing short of life-changing for many women.
If you would like support making these ideas work for you and your unique hormones, please reach out to The Fork Functional Medicine. We would be happy to help you find your balance and reach your health goals.
References
The Fork Functional Medicine
200 9th Ave S.
Franklin, TN 37064
Phone: (615) 721-8008
Fax: (615) 237-8331
Monday: 9am - 5pm
Tuesday: 9am - 5pm
Wednesday: 9am - 5pm
Thursday: 9am - 5pm
Friday: CLOSED
Saturday-Sunday: CLOSED
By appointment only
Telemedicine visits are available to patients in the State of Tennessee. See further information under patient info.
Copyright 2023 The Fork Functional Medicine. All rights reserved. Website by Wink Digital.