Detoxing Estrogen Excess in Men and Women

The most powerful supplementary means are fresh broccoli seed sprouts and moringa

We had a female patient with breast cancer who was well into her healing protocol, but still had a small cancerous lump. We recommended eating a moderate size serving of broccoli seed sprouts a few times a week. She misunderstood the instructions and ate a lot all at once. She had a diarrhea detox reaction, but most surprising of all, the very next day she couldn’t detect the lump anymore. Later testing showed she was cancer free.

Breast cancer is one of many common female diseases caused by estrogen dominance, ie an excess of the sex hormone estrogen. This comes primarily from fear/insecurity/anxiety/stress and environmental xenoestrogens. Xenoestrogens are foreign chemicals that activate the estrogen receptor. I wrote more about estrogen excess in women in this blog post, where I noted that estrogen dominance is the quintessential instigator of all of women’s health problems including: dysmenorrhea, infertility, skin disease like acne, hair loss/thinning, water retention, altered distribution of fat, overweight and obesity, hypothyroidism, neurotransmitter dysfunction leading to modo swings, irritability, depression and anxiety, gallbladder disease, insomnia, chromic fatigue, breast tenderness and swelling, breast cancer, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, blood clots. and insulin resistance which is a root cause of most if not all chronic illnesses including heart disease, diabetes and strokes.

But it’s not just women who are affected by estrogen excess, men make estrogen in their bodies as well, also ins response to fear/anxiety, and just like women they’re also exposed from environmental toxins.

In men excess estrogens can cause gynecomastia (enlarged breast tissue), prostatic enlargement (BPH), prostate cancer, infertility and testicular atrophy, erectile dysfunction, overweight and obesity, especially the accumulation of stubborn abdominal fat, cardiovascular disease, depression, anxiety, liver disease.

Sources of Xenoestrogens

Xenoestrogens are everywhere nowadays. They’re fond in plastics (not jut BPA, but all the other BPxs that it’s been replaced with, like BPC, etc), parabens and phthalates in shampoos, lotions and cosmetics, pesticides like atrazine (made famous for the study ins which male frogs exposed to it turned into females), and glyphosate, more commonly known as Roundup, which is the single most widely used pesticide in the world today and is indiscriminately sprayed on “Roundup-ready” crops, industrial chemicals like PCBs and dioxins, as well as the added hormones used in meat and dairy production (meat and dairy get a double whammy because the animals are exposed to all the above sources in their environment and feed, and then are also injected with more hormones).

Detoxifying from Xenoestrogens

A good detox is an ongoing process that never ends. It’s more intense in the first 2-12 months depending on how chronically sick someone was when starting, but the sheer level of environmental toxicity in the modern world means that it can’t ever truly be over. There will be daily things that need to be continued. I know someone who's been living clean and detoxing regularly for years now who still gets occasional sludge coming out of his liver and gallbladder.

The first principle of detox is to stop the incoming toxins as much as possible and the second is to support your body with the building blocks it needs, i.e. replace deficiencies.

Stopping incoming toxins means cleaning up the diet especially (though water, and air are also crucial).

The second principle of support is especially important when chronically sick, because whatever you eat while sick feeds your disease as well as you. In that condition it’s very important to maximize nutrient density to replace missing nutrients that your immune system relies on, while minimizing empty calories that fuel pathogenic microbes.

Meat can be a fantastic protein source, unfortunately most people can’t get really good quality organic, regenerative, grass-fed and grass-finished, hormone-free, naturally-raised meat.

1 of 6 hormones used in animals, this one is synthetic and particularly harmful

Just putting ruminants like cows on pasture doesn’t mean they will get all the micronutrients they need if the grasslands aren’t properly managed. Grass fed cows tend if not supplemented micronutrients tend to become malnourished because the land they graze on isn’t usually properly managed in a regenerative way, which means utilizing multiple species including chickens, goats/sheep, to replenish the soul and rotating the grazing.

Also, even without added hormones, non-organic feed will expose cattle to xenoesterogens, and even with organic feed unnatural living conditions will cause chronic stress, which itself will lead to elevated estrogen levels in the meat.

Another issues is that while muscle meat is relatively nutrient dense, it’s not the most nutrient dense source of protein, at least as it is usually raised in the modern world, especially when it comes to anti-iflammatory omega 3s, which are present in 20-30 times greater amounts in sardines vs grass fed/finished beef, and even higher compared to grain fed beef.

Omega 3 fats are polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) which are very sensitive to damage by light and heat, and when damaged, become damaging to us if consumed. They are liable to damage when they are extracted in the form of omega 3 fish oil, so the safest way to consume them is in a whole food source, where they are protected by the natural structure of the food surrounding them, which also contains natural antioxidants that contribute to their stability.

We know that all modern people are highly deficient in Omega 3s compared to traditional healthy peoples, so this is a big deal when trying to recover from chronic illness, or even when simply detoxing and supporting longevity and health span.

The most nutrient dense animal meats are the organs, especially the liver, which is nature’s premier multivitamin.

The organs are best taken raw since cooking will destroy a large proportion of the Vitamin C and B vitamins. Also cooking disrupts the structure of the water in the organs.

Many scientists now believe that water has a memory. In fact, Nobel prize winning Lucy Montagnier conducted a shocking experiment shortly before he passed away a few years ago in which he showed that information encoded in DNA could be transmitted directly into a water “memory,” i.e. the water molecules somehow structured themselves in such a way as to hold the DNA information. And then that information in the water alone, with no DNA present, could be used the same way DNA is used to stimulate the necessary enzymes to produce the proteins encoded by that genetic information. And even more shocking there was an electromagnetic signature associated with the DNA itself that is what seemed to stimulate the water to mimic the DNA structure and/or function. This electromagnetic DNA information signal was transmitted over the internet to a lab that did not contain the original DNA sequence. It was used to irradiate fresh water, and that water could then stimulate the production of the same protein that was encoded by the DNA sequence that wasn’t even present.

All that to say that there is some information encoded in the water present within animal and plant tissues. And since organ and others meats are 70-75% water, a significant amount of information is lost when the meat is heated. That lost information is probably more important than the lost vitamins, and is likely the reason that all traditional hunter gatherer societies eat fresh raw organ meat from their kills the way all carnivorous animals atop the food chain tend to do. People who are sensitive enough report the presence of an “anti-fatigue” factor in raw liver for example. But generally speaking each organ acts to bolster the function of the corresponding organ in us.

Most modern humans in industrialized societies have strained, hearts, livers, kidneys and thyroids and a properly structured protocol will usually supplement one or more of these over time. An interesting factoid I came across recently was that prior to 1980 all ground beef sold in the United States included the thyroid gland, which contains thyroid hormone, and is perhaps the cleanest, most potent weight loss drug in the world (perhaps the best of a bad lot of artificial means of stimulating dramatic weight loss - since anything that ignores the root cause of the problem must worsen the root cause while simply covering it up).

The water memory vital factor is why I and many of our patients blend raw organ meat and consume it daily rather than rely on the freeze-dried powdered organs available in capsule form.

Other Ways to Detox

Cruciferous vegetables (like broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, and cabbage) are highly effective in helping the body detoxify excess estrogen. This is due to their unique combination of bioactive compounds that support liver function, enhance hormone metabolism, and reduce estrogenic activity. Here’s a breakdown of why cruciferous vegetables are so beneficial:

Rich in Glucosinolates, which Convert to Indole-3-Carbinol (I3C)

• Glucosinolates are sulfur-containing compounds found abundantly in cruciferous vegetables. When these vegetables are chewed, chopped, or digested, glucosinolates are broken down into biologically active compounds, including indole-3-carbinol (I3C).

• I3C is further converted in the stomach to diindolylmethane (DIM), which plays a key role in estrogen metabolism.

DIM (Diindolylmethane) and Estrogen Balance

• DIM helps the body metabolize estrogen into its less harmful forms. Estrogen is processed by the liver into three main metabolites:

  • 2-hydroxyestrone (2-OH): A beneficial, protective form of estrogen.

  • 4-hydroxyestrone (4-OH): A potentially harmful, pro-carcinogenic form.

  • 16-alpha-hydroxyestrone (16α-OH): A more potent and potentially estrogenic form.

• DIM promotes the conversion of estrogen into the 2-OH pathway, which is the safest and least estrogenic pathway. This reduces the levels of the more harmful 4-OH and 16α-OH metabolites, thereby lowering the risk of estrogen-related cancers and symptoms.

Support for Phase I and Phase II Liver Detoxification

• The liver is the primary site for detoxifying hormones, including estrogen. Cruciferous vegetables support both Phase I and Phase II liver detoxification pathways:

  • Phase I Detoxification: Cruciferous vegetables contain compounds that enhance the activity of cytochrome P450 enzymes, which help convert estrogen into its metabolites.

  • Phase II Detoxification: The sulfur-containing compounds in cruciferous vegetables, like sulforaphane and I3C, boost the liver's ability to conjugate (bind) estrogen metabolites, making them easier to eliminate through urine or bile.

High in Sulforaphane

• Sulforaphane, another compound derived from cruciferous vegetables, is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. It stimulates the production of glutathione, one of the body’s most important detoxification molecules.

• Glutathione helps neutralize and eliminate estrogen metabolites, reducing the risk of estrogen dominance.

Fiber Content for Estrogen Elimination

• Cruciferous vegetables are rich in fiber, which is essential for binding and removing estrogen from the digestive tract. Fiber helps prevent the reabsorption of estrogen in the intestines, ensuring it is eliminated from the body.

• Beta-glucuronidase, an enzyme produced by gut bacteria, can unbind estrogen from its conjugated form in the gut, leading to its reabsorption. The fiber in cruciferous vegetables can help reduce beta-glucuronidase activity, supporting proper estrogen clearance.

Anti-Estrogenic Effects

• Compounds in cruciferous vegetables can act as natural selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), which means they can block estrogen receptors in tissues like the breasts and uterus, reducing the risk of estrogen-stimulated cancer growth.

Incorporating cruciferous vegetables into your diet can significantly support the body's ability to detoxify excess estrogen, helping to balance hormones naturally. Eating these vegetables raw, lightly steamed, or fermented can preserve the bioactive compounds and maximize their health benefits, but the most efficient way to consume large quantities of cruciferous vegetables, which we recommend to our patients, is in the form of juice from a high quality masticating (AKA cold press, or slow) juicer. The reason slow press juicers work so much better to support health.than the traditional style centrifugal juicers is that the slow speed reduces the amount of air introduced into the juice, which means less oxidation of sensitive nutrients. This is important for preserving enzymes, flavonoids, and other phytonutrients found in vegetables. The slow juicers also limit heating of the juice, which just as in the case of meat helps preserve vitamin C and B vitamins.

This isn’t just theoretical either: a study published in the Journal of Food Science and Technology found that masticating juicers retained significantly higher levels of vitamin C, polyphenols, and other antioxidants compared to centrifugal juicers.

Other research comparing masticating and centrifugal juicers found that masticating juicers extracted more beta-carotene (a precursor to vitamin A) and chlorophyll from leafy greens.

The slow, pressing action of a masticating juicer is also more effective at breaking down the cell walls of vegetables, which releases more of the “trapped” beneficial compounds like fiber-bound polyphenols and other phytonutrients that may not be fully extracted by centrifugal juicers.

Crucifers on Steroids

Broccoli sprouts are exceptionally effective at helping the body detoxify excess estrogens, largely due to their high concentration of a powerful bioactive compound called sulforaphane. Broccoli sprouts contain up to 100 times more glucoraphanin (which converts to sulforaphane) than mature broccoli, making them one of the richest sources of this compound. As mentioned earlier sulforaphane activates the body's detoxification pathways, particularly the liver's Phase II detoxification enzymes, which play a crucial role in metabolizing and eliminating excess estrogens and other toxins.

Let’s explore the way sulphoraphane works in some more detail:

Enhances Estrogen Metabolism

Sulforaphane promotes the metabolism of estrogen into its less harmful forms, reducing the risk of estrogen dominance, which is linked to conditions like breast cancer, prostate cancer, and hormonal imbalances.

• Estrogen is metabolized in the liver into three main pathways:

  • 2-hydroxyestrone (2-OH): A protective, less estrogenic metabolite.

  • 4-hydroxyestrone (4-OH): A potentially harmful and carcinogenic form.

  • 16-alpha-hydroxyestrone (16α-OH): A more potent estrogenic form.

• Sulforaphane helps shift estrogen metabolism towards the 2-OH pathway, which produces less harmful metabolites. This shift reduces the levels of the more harmful 4-OH and 16α-OH estrogens, thereby lowering the risk of hormone-related cancers.

Activation of NRF2 Pathway for Detoxification

• Sulforaphane activates the NRF2 (Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2–Related Factor 2) pathway, which is a master regulator of antioxidant and detoxification enzymes.

• This activation leads to the production of enzymes like glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and quinone reductase, which are crucial for detoxifying harmful estrogen metabolites and protecting cells from oxidative stress.

• By enhancing the body's detoxification system, sulforaphane helps efficiently clear out excess estrogens and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects

• Excess estrogen can promote inflammation, which contributes to hormone-related disorders. Sulforaphane has potent anti-inflammatory effects, helping to reduce inflammation in tissues sensitive to estrogen, such as the breasts and prostate.

• Sulforaphane inhibits pro-inflammatory cytokines and reduces oxidative stress, which can help alleviate symptoms associated with estrogen dominance, like breast tenderness and menstrual pain.

Inhibition of Aromatase Enzyme

• The enzyme aromatase converts androgens (like testosterone) into estrogens. Elevated aromatase activity can lead to increased estrogen levels, especially in tissues like breast tissue.

• Sulforaphane has been shown to inhibit aromatase activity, helping reduce the conversion of testosterone into estrogen. This effect is particularly beneficial in conditions like estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer.

Supports Gut Health for Estrogen Elimination

• Sulforaphane supports the gut microbiome, reducing the activity of beta-glucuronidase, an enzyme that can lead to the reactivation and reabsorption of estrogen in the intestines.

Practical Tips for Using Broccoli Sprouts

• Eat them raw: Sulforaphane is heat-sensitive, so it's best to consume broccoli sprouts raw or lightly steamed.

• Chew thoroughly: The enzyme myrosinase is needed to convert glucoraphanin into sulforaphane. Chewing releases myrosinase, enhancing sulforaphane formation.

• Combine with mustard seed: Mustard seeds contain myrosinase, which can boost sulforaphane production if broccoli sprouts are lightly cooked.

• Prefer Fresh Sprouts over powdered, or add myrosinase: the heating process applied to dried and powdered broccoli seed sprouts eliminates most if not all of the tyrosinase, which is required to activate the sulfurophane, so it’s always best to go with freshly sprouted ones (available in some grocers), and as a second best you can consume the powdered version with a source of tyrosinase like mustard seeds. A small amount of mustard seed powder—about 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon—should be sufficient to activate the sulforaphane from a tablespoon of broccoli seed sprout powder.

Moringa

While fresh broccoli seed sprouts seem to be the most potent form of estrogen detoxification available, they can be inconvenient to obtain or consume, and not everyone has something like breast cancer (where they are the go-to).

Some people have noted an equivalent beneficial effect from simple, powdered moringa leaf (I take both nowadays), and it has some additional benefits that makes it a perfect synergistic companion to broccoli seed sprouts and other cruciferous vegetables.

Moringa contains moringin which acts similarly to sulfurophane from cruciferous vegetables to support liver detox pathways that break down estrogens. It also has anti-aromatase properties, which means it prevents the conversion of testosterone into estrogen. Moringa also activated glutathione, has powerful anti-inflammatory effects, plenty of antioxidants like quercetin, chlorogenic acid and flavonoids. Quercetin, in particular, not present in broccoli seed sprouts, has been shown to modulate estrogen receptors, reducing the impact of estrogen on tissues.

Moringa does contain phytoestrogens, which are plant-based compounds that can bind to estrogen receptors in a weaker form than the body’s own estrogens. This can help balance the body's estrogen levels by blocking stronger, more harmful estrogens from binding to those receptors. So until normal estrogen levels are attained, this effect, even though it is pro-estrogenic, would actually help the situation by displacing stronger estrogens from those receptors.

Flavonoids like quercetin and kaempferol from Moringa can also act as selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), which means they can have a balancing effect on estrogen activity depending on the tissue - activating estrogen in areas where it’s needed like in the bones to stimulate bone growth, and deactivating it in tissues where an excess would be harmful like the breast.

Moringa also has an interesting nutritional profile. Only 1 teaspoon contains between 400-500 IU of beta carotene, the precursor to vitamin A - 6 times more than what’s contained in broccoli seed sprouts and covering 15-20% of the RDA for adults. Moringa also contained 10 times more Vitamin K and 50 times more vitamin E. It’s far richer in essential minerals, containing 50 times more calcium and iron. Over 10 times more Magnesium, which is the single most missing nutrient in our food supply. And nearly 10 times more zinc. It also has 10 times more protein and fat, as well as 5 times more fiber. And all these values are skewed in favor of the sprouts by comparing powdered moringa, which is all that’s readily available to fresh broccoli seed sprouts.

Moringa from mygotostack:

Conclusion

Everyone in the modern world is dealing with an estrogen excess whether it be from stress or widespread environmental toxins (don’t forget receipts! The single greatest source of BPA-type compounds, better to lose the refund than touch the receipt. I usually do an awkward pincer-like grab with my wallet and phone, while the cashier looks on bewildered).

Detoxifying the estrogens made within our own bodies (men make them too!), or those we get from our food and environment has to be on everyones daily to-do list. Top priority is minimize their production and consumption. Second support nutritional and biochemical pathways that detoxify them especially with broccoli seed sprouts and moringa which go hand in hand with complementary effects.

Finally, the most important approach to healing from anything, including estrogen excess, is addressing higher planes of being which find expression in the physical. When our hearts and minds are out of balance we will attract the toxins and pathogens that manifest physical illness, and use up the nutrients that stave it off.

Fear is the killer here - it stimulates estrogen excess. It might manifest as anxiety, worry, or outright terror, the effects are the same, it’s just a difference of degree. When the body is exhausted by out of control emotions it won’t have the energy left to detoxify environmental estrogens, especially not after years of this kind of stress. That’s why people get sicker and sicker as they age, it’s just a matter of time under tension that has exhausted our resources.

So physical means are just a means to changing our deeper selves, without which resolution of symptoms will not actually solve our real problems. The physical problems will either return if the emotional core remains unresolved, or will manifest in some other arena of our lives, because manifest they must. The purpose of our existence is not merely finding comfort in this short life, it’s refining the soul, and because of that fundamental reality our problems will continue to plague us until we realize it is just us that is the real problem.