"anit-estrogen diet"

Options
AmyD
AmyD Member Posts: 75
edited June 2014 in Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment

I'm out a year from a left mastectomy for DCIS that was very ER+/PR+.  No chemo or radiation.  Am not taking tamoxifen (two oncologists felt comfortable with my preference to not take it).   Does anyone have any good resources for foods that are considered "anti-estrogen" and help block the body's use/response to our natural circulating estrogen?

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
«1

Comments

  • jenn1975
    jenn1975 Member Posts: 103
    edited July 2010

    Get the book The Anti Estrogen Diet. You can order it on Amazon and Boarders etc. I was on it and it worked. Then I went off it and my cancer came back so now I am back on it 100% and my cancer is gone! The book is not just about foods it also teaches you about everything else in your life that effects your estrogen levels. It also helps you to lose that unwanted fat that women retain which is actually caused by estrogen.

     Jennifer

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • CrunchyPoodleMama
    CrunchyPoodleMama Member Posts: 1,220
    edited July 2010

    Jennifer, I hadn't heard of that one - thanks for mentioning it!

    Amy, melatonin (the hormone our bodies manufacture during sleep cycles) suppresses estrogen.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • chillipadi
    chillipadi Member Posts: 151
    edited July 2010

    Jennifer, who is the author of the Anti Estrogen Diet? Also, when you say that "now I am back on it 100% and my cancer is gone!" are you attributing your improved condition to the Diet alone? While following the Diet, did you also do other things eg. conventional cancer treatment and / or supplements and / or alternative therapy?

    Sorry, just need to know if it was the Diet alone which chased your cancer away. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mathteacher
    mathteacher Member Posts: 243
    edited July 2010

    The medical research doesn't conclude avoiding phytoestrogens is helpful--just the opposite!

    Am J Clin Nutr. 2010 Jul;92(1):141-53. Epub 2010 May 12.

    Meta-analyses of lignans and enterolignans in relation to breast cancer risk.

    Buck K, Zaineddin AK, Vrieling A, Linseisen J, Chang-Claude J.

    Division of Cancer Epidemiology, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany.

    Abstract

    BACKGROUND: Epidemiologic studies that examined whether lignans, the most important class of phytoestrogens in the Western diet, protect against breast cancer have yielded inconsistent results. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we conducted meta-analyses on the association between lignans and breast cancer risk. DESIGN: We performed a systematic MEDLINE search to identify epidemiologic studies published between 1997 and August 2009. We calculated pooled risk estimates (REs) for total lignan exposure, dietary lignan intake, enterolignan exposure, and blood or urine concentrations of enterolactone and according to menopausal and estrogen receptor (ER) status of tumors. RESULTS: We included 21 studies (11 prospective cohort studies and 10 case-control studies) in the meta-analyses. Lignan exposure was not associated with an overall breast cancer risk (RE: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.81, 1.02; P for heterogeneity = 0.004). However, in postmenopausal women, high lignan intake was associated with a significant reduced risk of breast cancer (13 studies; RE: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.78, 0.94; P for heterogeneity = 0.32). Breast cancer risk was also inversely associated with enterolignan exposure (4 studies; RE: 0.84; 95% CI: 0.71, 0.97) but not with blood or urine enterolactone concentrations. The associations were not significantly different between ER-status subgroups (6 studies). CONCLUSIONS: High lignan exposure may be associated with a reduced breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women. Additional work is warranted to clarify the association between lignan exposure and breast cancer risk.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • somanywomen
    somanywomen Member Posts: 872
    edited July 2010

    Flaxseed is one of the highest sources of lignans...

    Here is list of:   Estrogen Inhibiting Foods

    If you are suffering from breast cancer, PMS, fibroids, ovarian cysts, and other situations that estrogen might exacerbate, the following estrogen inhibiting foods might be of interest to you.

    Berries
    Broccoli
    Buckwheat
    Cabbage
    Citrus Foods
    Corn
    Figs
    Fruits (except apples, cherries, dates, pomegranates)
    Grapes
    Green beans
    Melons
    Millet
    Onions
    Pears
    Pineapples
    Squashes
    Tapioca
    White rice 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mixin
    mixin Member Posts: 48
    edited July 2010

    The naturopathic recommendations at our Center for Cancer Care include 1TBS (but try for 2) of ground flax seed daily, so I find this issue really confusing. I made what I thought was a yummy dessert with flax, cinnamon, honey, apple and a little milk but quit when I read that phytoestrogens may be bad.

    I'm beginning to believe that for every study, there is an opposing one. How do we ever know what to believe?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • somanywomen
    somanywomen Member Posts: 872
    edited July 2010

    mixin, you are so right, it is soooooo confusing at times...I just found this info on flaxseeds....I highlighted in bold what I found out that I didn't know, sounds like the oil has minimal benefits...I never knew.....I mostly use ground flax seeds, but I just bought some flaxseed oil that I will be returning....

    Flax seed’s other primary ingredient we are emphasizing in this report is a group of phytoestrogenic compounds known as lignans. Flax seed contains 100 times more lignans than the next closest food. Lignans get broken down by intestinal bacteria into enterodiol and enterolactone, two mammalian lignans. Lignans contain powerful anti-cancer fighting agents and are especially effective against breast, colon, uterus and prostate cancers by controlling the sex hormones in our systems. As one example, lignans seem to flush excess estrogen from the body. Research has just begun on this fascinating subject. Lignans also seem to have anti-fungal, antibacterial and anti-viral properties. Flax seed oil contains practically no lignans - you must eat the flax seed, first ground into a meal. Flax oil also is missing many of the nutrients needed to digest it. But these nutrients are located in the seed. Both from a health and economic standpoint, we suggest eating whole flax seed you grind yourself rather than the high priced flax seed oil.
            Flax seed has been proven to markedly reduce cholesterol levels as effectively as oat bran and fruit pectin. This is probably due to it’s unusually high levels of soluble and insoluble fiber. Flax’s high quality fiber teamed with LNA and the rich lignans work together to build healthy blood lipid patterns.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • redsoxfan
    redsoxfan Member Posts: 162
    edited July 2010

    Call me cynical, but I suspect there'd be more interest in and studies about naturopathic option (flax seed, turmeric, etc.) for lowering estrogen if there were money to be made by drug companies.

    Aren't most drug studies funded by pharma?  Isn't the FDA greatly influenced by pharma?  Do we want to look at political campaign funding and lobbying by pharma?  These contributions can be direct, or indirect through pharma-backed grants to foundations such as, to name just one, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation 

    Thanks to the internet, many people--and some health care providers--are learning more and questioning more about non-pharma alternatives.    

    (Perhaps that's why John McCain(AZ) proposed legislation to make nutritional supplements available by rx only.  Check out his "Dietary Supplement Safety Act.")

    I asked the surgeon and oncologist about flax.  Both said not enough is known....I know what they mean, large, long term studies, but again, who pays for those? 

    In the meantime, for the purpose of discussion:

    http://www.cancerrd.com/faqs/faq33.htm  

    It is interesting to note that a co-author of this study, PE Goss, is now on the staff of MGH.  

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jenn1975
    jenn1975 Member Posts: 103
    edited July 2010

    Chillipadi, the Anti Estrogenic Diet is written by Ori Hoffmekler. As far as how I got rid of my cancer... I started testing my ph levels they started at 5.5 so I became a vegan and followed both the Anti Estrogenic Diet and the Budwig Protocol. I was on Abraxane and Avastin. I work out 6 days a week even on the days that I had chemo. My ph levels are now at 7.5 consistantly.

    I use only organic body wash, shampoo (when I have hair) makeup, toothpaste, mouthwash, makeup, lotions. I read the labels on everything that will touch my body carfefully. I plan on never going through this again! I will be more than happy to help you with your diet if you would like. I am a personal trainer and a manager of a health club.

    Jennifer

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Annabella58
    Annabella58 Member Posts: 2,466
    edited July 2010

    Ladies, everything in moderation was what I was told.  As a two times bc survivor, I did the biggest thing that I could to get rid of excess estrogen.  Took out the ovaries, those little cancer bombs.

    My onc is on the MSK and Yale tumor boards and they all reccomend absolutely NO flaxseed if you have had an estrogen positive cancer.  It has been shown to be of some benefit when women who have NOT had cancer use it.  Soy foods (soy sauce is OK, not enough to matter) have been proven to be bad for ER+ gals as well.

    Phytoestrogens are in all foods.  Google a list of those high (multi grain, flax, soy) and avoid t hem.

    But a glass of wine and a pizza once a week will not kill you.  "Be healthy and moderate, but don't make yourself nuts.  We must all live on this toxic planet, so don't go crazy with this"

    was the advice given to me by a very brilliant onc.  Words to live by.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • chillipadi
    chillipadi Member Posts: 151
    edited July 2010

    I'm strongly ER+/PR+. My experience with the Budwig Protocol was terrible. For 14 months, I faithfully consumed the flaxseed oil + ground flaxseed  + cottage cheese and followed other aspects of the Protocol eg. sauerkraut, buckwheat, vegan diet, daily exercise, plenty of Vit D etc. From Stage 2, the cancer became an aggressive Stage 3. Tumors as large as lemons and oranges grew and spread over my right breast, and they bled heavily (flax is a blood thinner, by the way). I was in constant pain. Dr. Budwig opposed chemo and conventional cancer treatment so I didn't do any of that. Just the Budwig Protocol.

    After suffering for 14 months and becoming horribly disfigured, I stopped consuming all forms of flaxseed and cottage cheese ( the rest of the Protocol is okay) and sought the help of an oncologist. He started me on slow and gentle metronomic chemotherapy (oral) and hormonal therapy and those huge tumors gradually disintegrated and disappeared.

    Be careful with highly-estrogenic flaxseed and dairy products like cottage cheese. I'll never touch them again. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • chillipadi
    chillipadi Member Posts: 151
    edited July 2010

    Jennifer, thank you for providing more information as well as your offer to help me out with my diet. I will bear that in mind. Like you, I exercise every day and only use safe personal care and household products. I'll certainly take a closer look at the Anti-Estrogenic Diet book. Thanks again.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mixin
    mixin Member Posts: 48
    edited July 2010

    With all the anti-cancer diets there are, we should be able to combine them into 1 superior one.

    Besides the Anti-Estrogenic Diet, we have studies linking inflammation and BC; so we could pick from Dr. Weil's Anti-Inflammation Diet. Then we also have the anti-angiogenic food list to pick from. I haven't really studied any of the other ones.

    I'm also very concerned about the cumulative effect of preservatives; we wear them, we eat them, we breathe them in. Over the years, I've unfortunately had to have one of my dogs and one of my cats euthanized due to cancer; the dog had mouth or throat cancer and I always wondered how he got it. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • CrunchyPoodleMama
    CrunchyPoodleMama Member Posts: 1,220
    edited July 2010

    mixin, interestingly enough, there is MUCH in common with all of them. When I was putting together a "fertility diet," it lined up pretty much exactly with an anti-cancer diet. Exercise and lifestyle recommendations (e.g. sleeping in complete darkness) lined up as well.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Alicia59
    Alicia59 Member Posts: 1
    edited October 2011

    Hello Jenn1975, I just started with femara and don't like the pain.  I am glad i read your post and i am going to try the diet but this post is a year old so I am curious to know how the diet is working for you now?  I hope to hear from you and for now I am going to start the diet.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lindajbar
    lindajbar Member Posts: 24
    edited December 2011

    Anyone tried DIM to lower estrogen? Trying to find out more about it.

    Linda 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Chocolaterocks
    Chocolaterocks Member Posts: 364
    edited December 2011

    I take it daily- dim. What would you like to know?

    chocolate

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lindajbar
    lindajbar Member Posts: 24
    edited December 2011

    Hi Chocolate,

    Have you been taking this on your own or with a dr involved? How much do you take and is there a specific brand? I have taken myself off all the AI's, just got so sick on all of them. Looking for natural ways to lower estrogen. Any info. is helpful.

    Thanks,

    LInda 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Chocolaterocks
    Chocolaterocks Member Posts: 364
    edited December 2011

    Linda

    I have taken a few different kinds- My MO has seen all and is okay with it. I have take

    Swanson inderate carbinate (check the spelling)

    I am taking Dim plus by Nature Way  at this time

    I have also taken a dim product by Vitamin world

    Several months now  and I also take Metformin as well...

    happy to answer any other questions

    chocolate

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Mandalala
    Mandalala Member Posts: 162
    edited December 2011

    When I tried to dig into the world of estrogens, I found that some phytoestrogens protect from breast cancer (apigenin is one, I think) and some do the opposite, and that they may have different effects in different women ... And some foods that protects against one cancer promotes another, and so on. There doesn't seem to be a pattern to follow.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lindajbar
    lindajbar Member Posts: 24
    edited December 2011

    Thanks Chocolaterocks, 

    Just bought the anti estrogen diet book. Going to try the DIM and keep investigating!

    Linda 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Chocolaterocks
    Chocolaterocks Member Posts: 364
    edited December 2011

    Linda

    I am also going to add "circumin" into this mix. I purchased quite a bit from a India store but I have not been to succesful cooking with it. But its next addition... 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • AnnE16
    AnnE16 Member Posts: 241
    edited July 2012

    I stopped taking Flax oil when recent blood work showed my Omega 6 were high and Omega 3 were low.  Need to keep them in balance.  My ND told me that Flax can cross over to Omega 6 so I am right now concentrating on fish oils to bring up the Omega 3's but no flax.  I was putting it in my smoothies every day.  I am ER/PR++.  I don't think I will go back to it.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • LtotheK
    LtotheK Member Posts: 2,095
    edited July 2012

    From everything I've read, it's the exercise that has the greatest impact on regulating estrogen. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Thatgirl
    Thatgirl Member Posts: 276
    edited July 2012

    My MD says exercise can lower estrogen up to 7%.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • purple32
    purple32 Member Posts: 3,188
    edited July 2012

    redsoxfan

    Does turmeric lower estrogen ?

    jenn1975

     I was just watching the <real> show THE DOCTORS on TV  a few days ago, and they showed that testing PH by using a litmus strip in the mouth is totally inaccurate as it only tests your saliva - not the true PH of the bood.  May I ask how you do testing?
    Thx for any add'l info!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited July 2012

    No, turmeric is anti-inflammatory as far as I know, not anti-estrogen.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • purple32
    purple32 Member Posts: 3,188
    edited July 2012

    Monine

    That's what I thought too.  After I posed the question, I did a quick google and came up with  a snippet of a Dr OZ show with Sheryl Crowe on it. They were saying it was also anti estrogenic!

    Sorry I didn't save the link, but I am sure the proper wording on google could bring it up if you are interested.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited July 2012

    This is from the American Cancer Society http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/HerbsVitaminsandMinerals/turmeric



    and does not mention any estrogen-blocking effect of turmeric. You may be right, but in my various travels, I have not seen this claim anywhere.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • purple32
    purple32 Member Posts: 3,188
    edited July 2012

    Here it is Momine

    I had never seen it either !

     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrjW_6ecTAc

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories