Foods That Increase Estrogen in the Body

Estrogen is a hormone comprised of three compounds: estrone, estradiol and estriol. Both men and women need a certain amount of this hormone to be healthy. People who have low estrogen levels can increase estrogen naturally by eating certain types of foods and refraining from other foods that inhibit estrogen production.

Significance of Low Estrogen

• Women who are experienceing premenopausal or post-menopausal sypmtoms may have low levels of estrogen in the body. Natural estrogen is a female sex hormone and is an essential steroid in the reproductive process. Healthy estrogen levels help regulate the menstrual cycle and maintain healthy cholesterol levels.

  Foods that increase estrogen production either contain a compound known as di-indolylmethane, or naturally contain high levels of estrogen that are readily absorbed by the body. Di-indolylmethane increases the level of estradiol in the body, a specific type of estrogen that the body produces naturally.

Foods That Boost Estrogen Production

• Foods that increase estrogen in the body include: soybean products such as tofu and soy milk, lima beans, berries, apples, papaya, dates, plums, pomegranates, beets, eggplant, tomatoes, yams, olives, potatoes, barley, rice, hops, oats, wheat, flaxseeds, chickpeas, garlic, parsley, clover, split peas, sprouts and licorice.

Effects of Estrogen Replacement

• Increasing the consumption of estrogen-enhancing foods can have several effects on the hormones and the emotions. Estrogen-enhancing foods have been linked to reducing pre-menopausal and post-menopausal symptoms, increasing energy, improving memory problems and increasing bone density.

  If estrogen-enhancing foods cannot be absorbed readily by the body, a doctor may recommend estrogen hormone replacement therapy and lifestyle or dietary changes to ensure little to no further loss of natural estrogen.

Considerations

• Some foods can inhibit estrogen production and should be avoided when consuming more estrogen-producing foods. Foods that inhibit estrogen production include melons, pineapple, berries, figs, grapes, cabbage, green beans, corn, squash, broccoli, white rice and white flour.

  In addition to eating more estrogen-producing foods, a person looking to increase estrogen should maintain a low-fat, high-fiber diet that will help accommodate changing hormonal levels. Whole grains, fresh vegetables, tempeh, nuts and seeds, beans, and seaweed are recommended foods to eat in conjunction with estrogen-enhancing foods.

Warnings

• Too much estrogen in the body can be harmful to your health, so it's important to be evaluated by a physician before making any drastic changes to the diet. Symptoms of too much estrogen in the body include irregular periods, craving for sweets, loss of sex drive, water retention, fatigue, swollen or painful breasts, endometriosis, severe menstrual cramps and weight gain. Foods that increase estrogen may need to be reduced or removed from the diet until estrogen levels are restored to a healthy level.