Lowering estrogen NATURALLY

Sailorgalsails … I saw your post re: turmeric & thought I would chime in. I recently discovered a delicious "turmeric milk" recipe and thought WOW, there are so many benefits to turmeric (and there are!) that this would be a great way to get it into my diet … well, after doing some research, I found it is questionable for those who have had ER+ breast cancer. I didn't find much on it, but this was enough for me to put a halt to the "turmeric milk". Specifically look at the "side effects" tab : http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredie… It appears, like many other foods(eg. soy), there is no conclusive evidence, but enough to be skeptical.

Ack. I need some help here regarding estrogens in food and estrogen levels during menopause. I've been trying to find some resources online but am having a hard time finding links that are worth anything on this topic. I did find the http://foodforbreastcancer.com post which is wonderful, thank you.

What I have been reading seems to be all over the map. Plus I have terrible brain fog. Please tell me if my thoughts are accurate:

Background: I believe I am smack in the middle of what will turn out to be THE year of menopause.

If I am having lots of hot flashes and night sweats, does that mean that I am doing a good job at keeping my food estrogen levels down? I'm thinking that if I weren't doing a good job, then my estrogen levels would rise and I would get relief (probably) from the hot flashes a little.

Second: the list of estrogen rich foods that I've found here and there makes me want to cry. If we turn from animal products to plant foods, it seems we are just inviting breast cancer to come on in and set up camp, in some cases. I've been taking organic turmeric for years b/c it definitely cleared fluid from my fibrocystic breast issues... and I have been eating a healthy(?) amount of olive oil, dried fruit, black tea, sunflower seeds and broccoli (I've found broccoli on the both the good and bad lists). Most of those foods I last mentioned are typically thought to be wonderfully healthy ... I don't know what to make of this!

And, can I have legumes once in a while, or should I avoid them entirely? I would like to substitute some animal protein with legumes, but now am not so sure.

PS I had a UL mastectomy last April b/c of Stage 0 dcis. I do not know what the receptors were classified as, or even if I qualified for such a diagnosis.

I was making myself crazy with the diet restrictions! Now, I am eating pretty much what I want but watching how much I eat to not gain too much weight. I needed to gain about 4 pounds, which I did, so going to stay right there if possible. I still will not eat commercially raised beef and chicken if I can help it (it's hard to manage when you eat out). And not much soy--only once a week if that. I did start eating legumes again. Again, in moderation. I am trying to eat more sardines, but I am afraid of most of the Franken-fish we get here in central Mexico. Red snapper is the only fish I think is okay here as it comes from the coast of Mexico and not a fish farm. I eat all vegetables without a thought to phytoestrogens, although maybe not eating as much fennel as I used to. I rarely eat flax--only once in a while with the bread I like with all the seeds. I try to avoid vegetable oil, but again, a lot of restaurants use it. The best thing to do is order a salad with olive oil on the side, although I am not always that conscientious. I was more vigilant in the beginning, but we still have a life to live each day, and it's no fun for me to eat like a vegan. I think the main thing to watch is fat/weight gain more than anything.

MellaBella, of course you “qualify” to have your tumor tested--whether DCIS or IDC--for hormone receptors and tumor grade. You have a right to a record of all your test results. DCIS is usually ER+ (they generally don’t test its HER2 status). Maybe they didn’t tell you because you had a MX and they don’t do chemo for DCIS, so they figured that since you won’t be getting radiation or chemo, you have no further decisions to make. But you should be able to find out the ER status so you can determine if you will need hormone-blocking therapy or should avoid eating, drinking or applying stuff that would raise your estrogen levels. Ask for that information, and if they refuse, demand to know why. It’s YOUR body, after all.

I have been taking Doterra Frankincense two drops under tongue three times daily. You get used to the taste 😝