Estrogen...

If I was to ask you what role Estrogen plays in our bodies could you answer me? We all know it's there and that it is important but how many of us really know it's purpose?

I was fortunate enough last week to be a part of one of Luke's seminar which he put together whilst I was away in the USA. The topic of the evening was the ever allusive Estrogen!

So to answer the question :: Estrogen is a hormone produced primarily in the ovaries for woman and testes for men. It is also produced in fat and the brain in both men and woman. Woman require Estrogen because its responsible for proper female reproduction and is necessary for a healthy pregnancy, it regulates mood and arterial function, builds bone density and regulates most hormones from the Hypothalamus in the brain (responsible for insulin, leptin, grehlin production). Men require Estrogen for healthy sperm production and bone maintenance

Unfortunately, our bodies aren't only exposed to Estrogen by our own making! There are lots of other external factors that can cause our bodies to have higher levels of Estrogen which can have not so good effects.

Luke went in to detail on why it is important that we remove and detoxify excess Estrogen from our bodyies. Here are his reasons in a nut shell

Firstly excess estrogen is associated with increased cancerous tissue in the human body. Estrogen receptor sites are proteins found inside every cell in the human body. Our goal is to limit the amount of chemical and toxic Estrogen that can be mimicked by certain foods and/or chemicals which further increases our toxic load.

Luke's Top 10 tips for limiting the chemical exposure of Estrogen ::

* Eat organic where possible
* Use natural cleaning products ::  BPA, phthalates and paraben free
* Use natural personal care products (visit EWG to see how your products rate)
* Avoid scented candles and air fresheners
* Avoid plastic containers for food and water :: plastic contains BPA which mimics Estrogen. BPA is a petroleum based chemical
* Never microwave or heat plastic
* Use cloth bags for shopping
* Cut out processed foods
* Eat limonene which can be found in grapefruit and tomato
* Cook with more turmeric which is tremendous in supporting digestive health

And Luke's Top 10 ways to lower your Estrogenic load

* Improve gastrointestinal health by taking a quality Pro-biotic. Pro-biotics support good bacteria in the gut and promotes the E2 pathway
* Improve diet with lower carb and higher protein. Insulin and body composition and amino acids found in protein help with Estrogen detoxification via the liver
* Eat lots of healthy Omega 3 fats. Omega 3 fats promote the E2 pathway and blocks the enzyme called Aromatase. Aromatase is an enzyme that is responsible for a key step in the biosynthesis of Estrogen
* Decrease Body fat :: Fat tissue increases levels of aromatase enzyme which turns testosterone to Estrogen
* Eat more phytoestrogens :: leafy greens, flaxseeds, legumes, sesame seeds, broccoli and cauliflower
* Block aromatase and stop testosterone from turning into Estrogen. This can be done by taking a Zinc supplement and include certain foods such as green tea, tomato skins, brazil nuts and grapefruit
* Ensure complete elimination of excess Estrogen with a quality Multi-vitamin and Magnesium supplement
* Watch what you drink :: Alcohol has a toxic load on the body and increases the aromatase enzyme lowering testosterone and other growth hormones whilst increasing Estrogen
* Increase fiber content :: greens, vegetables, nuts
* Avoid Soy :: Soy is pesticide laden and mimics Estrogen in the human body

If you have any questions about detoxifying your body of excess Estrogen or what supplements you should be taking please don't hesitate to contact either myself or Luke.

The next Vivid Fitness Seminar will be held on Wednesday 24th July and isn't one to be missed!! The seminar kicks off at 6.30pm and is held in the Fitness First Balgowlah Crèche.

Get ready to "Eat Fat, Lose Fat"! Luke and I look forward to seeing you all there!