Estrogen is a class of steroid hormones, including estradiol, estrone, and estriol, that plays a broad biological role in the human body. Although recognized as the primary female sex hormone, estrogen is also produced in men and is necessary for functions like bone density, mood regulation, and cardiovascular health in both sexes. When estrogen levels become disproportionately high relative to other hormones, such as progesterone or testosterone, the resulting imbalance is often referred to as “estrogen dominance.” Targeted dietary supplements are often explored by those seeking to restore hormonal balance.
Context: Why Estrogen Levels Might Be High
High estrogen levels are frequently influenced by lifestyle and environmental factors. A common cause is an increase in adipose (fat) tissue, which contains the enzyme aromatase. Aromatase converts androgens, like testosterone, into estrogen, meaning a higher percentage of body fat can lead to increased estrogen production.
Exposure to environmental endocrine-disrupting chemicals, known as xenoestrogens, also contributes to elevated levels. These compounds, found in substances like certain plastics and pesticides, mimic the effects of natural estrogen by binding to estrogen receptors. This binding adds to the overall estrogenic burden. Medical conditions causing high estrogen, such as specific tumors or liver dysfunction, require professional diagnosis and treatment.
Supplements Supporting Estrogen Metabolism and Clearance
Supplements support the body’s natural detoxification pathways, ensuring that estrogen metabolites are properly processed and excreted. The liver is primarily responsible for breaking down active estrogen into less potent forms through a two-phase process. If this process is sluggish or if processed hormones are reabsorbed, estrogen levels can remain high.
Indole-3-Carbinol (I3C) and its primary metabolite, Diindolylmethane (DIM), are compounds derived from cruciferous vegetables. DIM shifts estrogen metabolism toward the production of more favorable, protective estrogen metabolites, specifically via the 2-hydroxyestrone pathway. This metabolic shift decreases the ratio of the less desirable 16-alpha-hydroxyestrone to 2-hydroxyestrone, lowering the overall estrogenic impact.
Calcium D-Glucarate (CDG) focuses on the final clearance stage in the gut. After the liver processes estrogen, it attaches a glucuronide molecule for excretion in the bile. An enzyme in the gut called beta-glucuronidase can cleave this bond, reactivating the estrogen metabolites and allowing them to be reabsorbed. CDG helps inhibit beta-glucuronidase activity, ensuring the processed estrogen remains bound and is effectively eliminated through the feces. This gut-level action prevents repeated exposure to the same estrogen metabolites.
Supplements That Modulate Estrogen Production
This class of supplements interferes directly with the synthesis of estrogen in the body. Estrogen is synthesized from androgens, like testosterone, through the action of the aromatase enzyme. Substances that block or inhibit this enzyme are known as aromatase inhibitors.
Zinc is a trace element that acts as a natural aromatase inhibitor. Deficiency in zinc can lead to increased aromatase activity and greater conversion of testosterone into estradiol, raising estrogen levels. Maintaining adequate zinc status supports balanced hormone production.
Chrysin, a flavonoid found in passionflower and honey, has shown potential in laboratory settings to inhibit aromatase by binding directly to the enzyme. Although its absorption and activity in the human body are variable in research, it is promoted as a natural inhibitor of estrogen synthesis.
Resveratrol, a polyphenol found in grapes and red wine, also interferes with estrogen synthesis. While classified as a phytoestrogen, it can also inhibit several enzymes in the steroidogenesis pathway, including aromatase. This interference leads to a modulation of circulating hormone levels.
Important Considerations Before Supplementation
Before attempting to lower estrogen levels with supplements, individuals should undergo hormonal testing to confirm a true imbalance exists. Self-diagnosing based on symptoms alone can be misleading, as many signs of high estrogen, such as fatigue or mood changes, overlap with other conditions. Over-supplementation can cause severe symptoms of low estrogen, including joint pain, decreased libido, hot flashes, and bone density loss.
Lowering estrogen too much negatively impacts cardiovascular and bone health in both men and women. It is prudent to consult with a qualified healthcare provider, such as an endocrinologist, before starting any regimen. They can interpret test results and recommend an appropriate, individualized approach. Consumers must also be cautious about product quality and potential drug-supplement interactions, as supplements are not regulated with the same rigor as prescription medications.