Foods That Accelerate Estrogen

Estrogen is a natural hormone in both men and women, but it is dominant in women and is their sex hormone. Because certain foods contain hormones and can accelerate hormone buildup in the body, choosing your diet wisely, staying away from processed and fast foods, is of importance. This is especially true after a woman hits 30 years of age when the hormone balance begins to shift.

Beef

• Six types of hormones are used in cattle production.

  Hormone pellets implanted under the skin of cattle to make them grow fatter faster. Cornell University's program on breast cancer research states that there are six different hormones used in beef production including, estradiol (akin to estrogen) and progesterone, both natural female sex hormones. Two types of male sex hormones and two types of synthetic hormones are also among this group. Federal regulations allow for the use of these hormones in cattle and sheep, but not for poultry or pigs.

  Many dairy products may be laced with hormones. In the body, all of these artificial hormones mimic true-estrogen. Some believe that this is part of the reason girls reach puberty at younger ages. In women, however, it is possible estrogen-accelerating foods can contribute to cancers including breast cancer.

Coffee

• One estrogen-accelerating food might be coffee. Science Daily reported on a study by Texas AgriLife Research that discovered a compound in coffee, called trigonelline or "trig," was estrogenic. This can accelerate tumor growth in estrogen-dependent breast cancer. "Estrogen-dependent tumors in the presence of estradiol will grow faster," stated nutrition scientist Dr. Clinton Allred. Allred said: "If you use those cells in a laboratory setting, you can determine whether something is estrogenic because they will literally make a tumor grow faster." The estrogenic compound does not cause cancer, but accelerates growth in existing estrogenic tumors.

Pesticides in Vegetables and Fruits

• The world of pesticides that reaches the dinner table, as well as other chemical pollutants, might also accelerate estrogen buildup from eating common vegetables and fruits. Many processed foods can also pose a danger. Some people choose to eat only organic fruits and vegetables as a result, and both the production and consumption of organic foods has been on the increase in the United States for decades.

  Estrogen dominance is of concern to both men and women for other reasons, including fatigue and depression, mood swings and hot flashes, headaches and migraines, and a host of other ills.

  The best advice from doctors is to eat a balanced diet, low in processed foods, eat meat sparingly, if at all, don't overindulge in coffee, go organic if you feel that there might be a chance of estrogen buildup in your body and get substantial rest and exercise.