Bread which contains wholegrains, such as flax, rye, wheat, barley or oats, have naturally high levels of lignans, a kind of phytoestrogen, and depending on the concentration in an individual loaf, can be an excellent way to help boost estrogen levels through food.
Both of these breads contain high levels of phytoestrogens. As much as I hate to say it, in the context of estrogen dominance, opt for white bread. It's incredibly low in phytoestrogens. It's also incredibly low in just about every other aspect of nutrition, but it won't worsen your estrogen.
Products like eggs or milk contain high estrogen levels because they are produced in parts of the animal's body that regulate its hormones. Eating high estrogen foods can help people who suffer from various conditions related to low estrogen levels.
Avocado. Research shows that avocados can help reduce the absorption of estrogen and boost testosterone levels. They also improve heart health and aid in satiety. We need enough healthy fats to make hormones, and avocados are a great source of hormone building blocks.
Elevated levels of estrogen through consumption of chicken products has been connected to health problems later in life, like breast cancer and polycystic ovary syndrome.
Tomatoes, kiwi, citrus fruits, cantaloupe, peaches, artichokes, bananas, asparagus, corn and cauliflower all boast great levels of vitamin C and they possess the phytoestrogen power you might be looking for to boost your estrogen.
Cruciferous Vegetables
Packed within cruciferous veggies are phytochemicals that block the production of estrogen, allowing them to be an effective addition to an anti-estrogen diet. This group of vegetables includes kale, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and arugula.
Natural estrogen blockers:
Some examples of natural estrogen blockers include wild nettle root, maca, chrysin, and grape seed extract. These substances contain compounds that act as natural estrogen blockers and may be used to regulate the production of the hormone.
Dairy products contain traces of estrogens from cows, and as milk is converted to cheese, the estrogens are more concentrated. While they are only traces, they appear to be biologically active in humans, increasing breast cancer mortality.
Exercise regularly. Research suggests that exercise can help to reduce high estrogen levels. Premenopausal women who engage in aerobic exercise for five hours a week or more saw their estrogen levels drop by nearly 19%. Cardio exercise helps the body break estrogen down and flush away any excess.
Dairy. Think twice before you help yourself to that cheese platter or tall glass of whole milk. Several studies indicate that dairy products can lower your testosterone levels.
Phytoestrogen/Isoflavones
Phytoestrogens are natural chemicals in plant foods that have a mild estrogen-boosting effect. Isoflavones are the major class of phytoestrogens, found in soybeans and soy products, nuts and seeds (such as sesame seeds and flax seeds), and chickpeas and other legumes.
Vegetables of the Brassica genus, such as broccoli, contain a phytochemical, which may shift estrogen metabolism and increase the 2:16 ratio.
Caffeine and Estrogen: A Complex Relationship
In fact, if you're trying to balance your hormones, caffeine may be a no-go. Research shows that it can increase estrogen levels. While caffeine is known to give you a quick energy boost, it can also disrupt your hormones, particularly estrogen levels.
Dried fruits such as dates, prunes, and dried apricots contain high amounts of phytoestrogens (chemicals similar to estrogen that may have estrogen-like effects in the body), making them some of the foods to avoid with high estrogen levels (3, 49).
Broccoli, broccoli sprouts, brussels sprouts, kale, cabbage, cauliflower, and bok choy are all known as cruciferous vegetables. These veggies help your liver metabolize estrogen. The plant sterols in avocados help regulate estrogen and progesterone, which can help regulate ovulation.
Nuts. Nuts, like peanuts, walnuts, cashews, almonds, and pistachios, are one of the most effective foods that increase estrogen levels in the body. They are also a rich source of several vitamins and minerals, offering a myriad of health benefits. They can be easily added to your diet.
Wild-caught salmon is a fantastic source of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), the type of omega-3 fatty acid that helps us increase the formation of 2-hydroxy estrogens—the “good” estrogens.
Commercial milk and dairy products, bought in the shops therefore do contain similar amounts of estrogens as native milk. Yet, it seems that these concentrations are too low to present a risk for reproductive health or development of different endocrine-related cancers in adult humans (and animals).
Hormones and hormone-like compounds are found in different types of food including beef (1.3 – 1.9 nanograms of estrogen per 3oz. serving of steak), eggs (993 nanograms of estrogen), potatoes, (300 nanograms for ½ cup) and peas (542 nanograms of estrogen for ½ cup).