It is the estrogen found in the food we eat, however, that has the largest impact on estrogen levels. Animal products, especially dairy, chicken and fish, contain high amounts of estrogen. People who eat meat regularly are exposed to high levels of these natural sex steroids.
Commercial chicken leads to impaired hormone levels. The normal production is affected that causes several physical issues. For example, hypogonadism, low testosterone levels and testicular atrophy are common. Females are likely to suffer from imbalances in estrogen and progesterone levels.
What foods cause high estrogen? Foods that reportedly increase estrogen include flax seeds, soybean products, chocolate, fruit, nuts, chickpeas, and legumes. Before we delve into why these foods are said to increase estrogen, we need to look at two important definitions; phytoestrogens and lignans.
A possible reason is estrogen buildup from high estrogen levels in meat. There is no research to show similar effects in males. However, studies are inconclusive about the effect of meat and dairy on estrogen levels and cancer risk.
Red meat contains high amounts of saturated and hydrogenated fats which are considered unhealthy types of fat. Consuming too much meat can disrupt hormonal balance as it increases the production of estrogen levels in your body.
Therefore, unlike in the beef cattle industry, there are no synthetic hormone levels to test for in chickens. However, as mentioned previously, there are naturally occurring levels of oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone in chickens and all other animals.
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.
The nearly zero level found in Japanese beef and Brazilian chicken is considered to be natural endogenous amount without estrogen supplementation. The estrogen levels in meat are much lower than those of contraceptive pills (0.035 mg/tab).
Vegetables of the Brassica genus, such as broccoli, contain a phytochemical, which may shift estrogen metabolism and increase the 2:16 ratio.
Chicken products contain cholesterol, carcinogens, and contaminants. Cholesterol, carcinogens, pathogens, and even feces found in chicken products increase the risk of heart disease, breast and prostate cancers, urinary tract infections, and foodborne illness.
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.
Is Chicken good for testosterone? A. Yes, chicken is good for increasing testosterone because chicken contains zinc and protein, which increases the testosterone levels in the body.
A Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center study involving postmenopausal, overweight, and obese women who took 2,000 IUs of vitamin D daily for a year found that those whose vitamin D blood levels increased the most had the greatest reductions in blood estrogens, which are a known risk factor for breast cancer.
Aromatase inhibitors stop the body from making estrogen. Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) block the action of estrogen on certain cells. Selective estrogen receptor downregulators (ERDs) block the action of estrogen on certain cells.
Because of the low levels of estrogens in yogurts, sometimes it is necessary to concentrate the extracts before the final instrumental analysis. Usually, this concentration has been made by evaporation of the extraction solvent.
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.
Almonds, cashew nuts, peanuts, oats, corn, wheat and apples all showed estrogenic activity.
Dr. Peat recommends eating raw carrots for a variety of health issues. Carrots can help lower estrogen, combat bacterial growth, reduce inflammation, promote weight loss, and help excrete bacterial poisons called endotoxins. Reducing estrogen, inflammation and endotoxins can have many far-reaching downstream effects.