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Cruciferous vegetables, I3C, DIM, ginseng, curcumin, lipoic acid, melatonin, and selenium all have something powerful in common. These are just some of the potent compounds existing in our foods that help our body detoxify and protect it from harm. These compounds are known to help protect our body from Estrogen Disruptor Compounds (EDCs) and help with detoxification.
Cruciferous vegetables, I3C, and DIM
Cruciferous vegetables are legendary for reducing risks associated with xenoestrogens, EDC exposure and cancer, especially hormone related cancers. These vegetables include Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, radish, and others. Research shows that consumption of these foods or the compounds that are found in them reduces the risk and helps protect against cellular changes associated with specific cancers, including lung, breast, stomach, pancreas, prostate, bladder, thyroid, skin, cervix, and colon cancers. These are amazing foods! In fact, the American Institute of Cancer Research has even stated that cancer rates could decline by as much as 20% if Americans increased their daily intake of fruits and vegetables to 5 servings per day. This seems to be a conservative estimate compared to other studies. In other case controlled studies, the risk reduction was shown to be 67% reduction of cancer risk when consuming a diet high in total cruciferous veggies. In addition, studies provide evidence that these cruciferous vegetables protect against cancer more effectively than the total intake of fruits and vegetables.
The active components, glucosinolates and isothiocyanate, in these cruciferous veggies break down into compounds known as I3C (indole-3-carbinole) and DIM (diindolylmethane). I3C is a precursor to DIM. These compounds have been found to alter estrogen metabolism, protect against free radical damage (Reactive Oxygenation Species), alter and improve detoxification of the phase I and II liver detox enzymes, slow tumor growth, and cause apoptosis or programmed cell death of damaged cells. This means they improved problems with estrogen toxicity, protected tissues against damage from free radicals, helped the entire process of detoxification in the liver, decreased cancer cell growth, and caused the bad cells to die. Wow! This is powerful support. There is no single drug that can do all this for just a dollar or two per day in your grocery bill. The voluminous research speaks loud and clear - you need to find a way to get these compounds in to your daily regime as a food choice or supplemental support.
Prostate cancer, like many cancers, is on the rise and is associated with EDCs. Researchers in the last few years have found that intake of I3C was able to block cell signaling pathways that are dysregulated in prostate cancer. I3C compounds were able to modulate the epigenetic status of prostate cancer cells. This means it helps modulate the gene signals for prostate cancer. Intake of IC3 is clearly suggested by researchers for prostate cancer prevention. Premenopausal women also should take note. A prospective study done with an average of 10.2 years of follow up, found that cruciferous vegetable intake was associated with a statistically significant decrease in the risk of estrogen and progesterone related breast cancer in premenopausal women. It was also found to reduce risk of hormone negative breast cancer. It clearly showed that tumor growth and breast cancer cell proliferation was blocked.
Ginseng
On a completely different note, ginseng or the active component in ginseng called ginsenosides, has a promising role in protecting developing sperm (Sertoli) cells from bisphenol A toxicity. This toxicity is a major cause for sperm cell damage and infertility. Researchers found that ginsenosides improved cellular antioxidant capacity in the developing sperm cells. Their conclusion was “Ginsenosides may therefore be beneficial in the prevention of environmental BPA-induced, reproduction-related toxicity.” Ginseng is commonly used for male performance and reproductive health and is often referred to as the “King of all herbs”. Besides protecting developing sperm cells, ginseng has been shown to support sperm production, quality, and improve motility. This is good news for the nearly 48.5 million couples worldwide who are dealing with infertility. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine states that male infertility accounts for nearly 40 percent of problems in conception.
Curcumin
Women also have an additional compound on their side beyond cruciferous vegetables to help with breast cancer and protect against bisphenol A exposure. Research released just last month revealed the discovery that curcumin inhibited BPA estrogenic activity in breast tissue and reversed the expression of genetic proteins adversely stimulated by BPA. Curcumin stopped this ubiquitous toxic compound from damaging affects in the breast tissue and actually reversed adverse gene expression. This is another wow! The positive research on curcumin keeps on piling up in many different arenas, but this study is an eye opener. Even if you don’t regularly have cruciferous veggies in your diet, adding curcumin or the spice turmeric may play a powerful protective role in this fight against EDCs. Have you had your turmeric with your cruciferous veggies today?
Lipoic Acid and Melatonin
In last week’s e-newsletter, Endocrine Disruptor Compounds and Natural Solutions, an in-depth outline of several nutrients associated with Phase I and Phase II liver detoxification were listed. One of those major antioxidant compounds that affects both phase I and phase II detoxification is glutathione. We have to make glutathione from a number of nutrients or precursors in our diet. Lipoic acid is one of those potent compounds that helps support glutathione production and also protects against other toxic compounds including pesticides. Lipoic acid also provides protection against oxidative stress caused by EDC detoxification challenges. Lipoic acid has a number of other functions that it helps with including protecting against acute emotional stress and improving liver function. Two independent research studies now show that lipoic acid and melatonin both alleviate the effects of bisphenol A toxicity on testicular mitochondria. Melatonin production may be supported by foods such as tart cherries, walnuts, mustard seed, corn, rice, ginger, and peanuts in addition to nutritional supplements and a healthy sleep environment. Here are two more powerful tools for men to help reduce male infertility and promote testicular health.
Other Magnificent Resources
Selenium, like the cruciferous veggies with I3C and DIM, has major research showing multiple benefits for EDC and detoxification concerns. These benefits include helping with phase II liver detoxification, chemoprotective activity from xenobiotic exposures, major antioxidant support for thyroid, glutathione production and recycling, immune system balance, and more. In addition to selenium, there are several other dietary compounds that are invaluable as well. These include green tea and green tea extract, quercetin (found in onions and apples), resveratrol (red, purple grapes), Omega 3 oils (fatty cold water fish, flax, walnut, chia seeds), lutein, lycopene, other carotenoids (orange and red veggies and fruits), vitamins C, D, E, and folic acid, zinc, calcium, beneficial bacteria, and dietary fiber.
Hippocrates said it well over two thousand years ago, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” We know that we live on a polluted planet, and EDCs are everywhere. That was discussed in a recent e-newsletter. The fact of the matter is you probably already know someone very close to you or perhaps yourself who has to deal with the issues of hormonal imbalances. Maybe it is dealing with PCOS, infertility, a raging battle with PMS or menopause, flagging energy and stamina with andropause, or the big one - cancer. Whatever the case, these subtle daily exposures of EDCs play an insidious, sinister role in our health from in-utero and beyond. Our diet and nutritional choices have to be focused to deal with this daily battle. Cellular dysfunction just doesn’t mature overnight into a grade IV cancer. It is a process. Benjamin Franklin said it well in this context of disease prevention – “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Which side of the equation are you going to choose?
More...
Cruciferous vegetables, I3C, and DIM
Cruciferous vegetables are legendary for reducing risks associated with xenoestrogens, EDC exposure and cancer, especially hormone related cancers. These vegetables include Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, radish, and others. Research shows that consumption of these foods or the compounds that are found in them reduces the risk and helps protect against cellular changes associated with specific cancers, including lung, breast, stomach, pancreas, prostate, bladder, thyroid, skin, cervix, and colon cancers. These are amazing foods! In fact, the American Institute of Cancer Research has even stated that cancer rates could decline by as much as 20% if Americans increased their daily intake of fruits and vegetables to 5 servings per day. This seems to be a conservative estimate compared to other studies. In other case controlled studies, the risk reduction was shown to be 67% reduction of cancer risk when consuming a diet high in total cruciferous veggies. In addition, studies provide evidence that these cruciferous vegetables protect against cancer more effectively than the total intake of fruits and vegetables.
The active components, glucosinolates and isothiocyanate, in these cruciferous veggies break down into compounds known as I3C (indole-3-carbinole) and DIM (diindolylmethane). I3C is a precursor to DIM. These compounds have been found to alter estrogen metabolism, protect against free radical damage (Reactive Oxygenation Species), alter and improve detoxification of the phase I and II liver detox enzymes, slow tumor growth, and cause apoptosis or programmed cell death of damaged cells. This means they improved problems with estrogen toxicity, protected tissues against damage from free radicals, helped the entire process of detoxification in the liver, decreased cancer cell growth, and caused the bad cells to die. Wow! This is powerful support. There is no single drug that can do all this for just a dollar or two per day in your grocery bill. The voluminous research speaks loud and clear - you need to find a way to get these compounds in to your daily regime as a food choice or supplemental support.
Prostate cancer, like many cancers, is on the rise and is associated with EDCs. Researchers in the last few years have found that intake of I3C was able to block cell signaling pathways that are dysregulated in prostate cancer. I3C compounds were able to modulate the epigenetic status of prostate cancer cells. This means it helps modulate the gene signals for prostate cancer. Intake of IC3 is clearly suggested by researchers for prostate cancer prevention. Premenopausal women also should take note. A prospective study done with an average of 10.2 years of follow up, found that cruciferous vegetable intake was associated with a statistically significant decrease in the risk of estrogen and progesterone related breast cancer in premenopausal women. It was also found to reduce risk of hormone negative breast cancer. It clearly showed that tumor growth and breast cancer cell proliferation was blocked.
Ginseng
On a completely different note, ginseng or the active component in ginseng called ginsenosides, has a promising role in protecting developing sperm (Sertoli) cells from bisphenol A toxicity. This toxicity is a major cause for sperm cell damage and infertility. Researchers found that ginsenosides improved cellular antioxidant capacity in the developing sperm cells. Their conclusion was “Ginsenosides may therefore be beneficial in the prevention of environmental BPA-induced, reproduction-related toxicity.” Ginseng is commonly used for male performance and reproductive health and is often referred to as the “King of all herbs”. Besides protecting developing sperm cells, ginseng has been shown to support sperm production, quality, and improve motility. This is good news for the nearly 48.5 million couples worldwide who are dealing with infertility. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine states that male infertility accounts for nearly 40 percent of problems in conception.
Curcumin
Women also have an additional compound on their side beyond cruciferous vegetables to help with breast cancer and protect against bisphenol A exposure. Research released just last month revealed the discovery that curcumin inhibited BPA estrogenic activity in breast tissue and reversed the expression of genetic proteins adversely stimulated by BPA. Curcumin stopped this ubiquitous toxic compound from damaging affects in the breast tissue and actually reversed adverse gene expression. This is another wow! The positive research on curcumin keeps on piling up in many different arenas, but this study is an eye opener. Even if you don’t regularly have cruciferous veggies in your diet, adding curcumin or the spice turmeric may play a powerful protective role in this fight against EDCs. Have you had your turmeric with your cruciferous veggies today?
Lipoic Acid and Melatonin
In last week’s e-newsletter, Endocrine Disruptor Compounds and Natural Solutions, an in-depth outline of several nutrients associated with Phase I and Phase II liver detoxification were listed. One of those major antioxidant compounds that affects both phase I and phase II detoxification is glutathione. We have to make glutathione from a number of nutrients or precursors in our diet. Lipoic acid is one of those potent compounds that helps support glutathione production and also protects against other toxic compounds including pesticides. Lipoic acid also provides protection against oxidative stress caused by EDC detoxification challenges. Lipoic acid has a number of other functions that it helps with including protecting against acute emotional stress and improving liver function. Two independent research studies now show that lipoic acid and melatonin both alleviate the effects of bisphenol A toxicity on testicular mitochondria. Melatonin production may be supported by foods such as tart cherries, walnuts, mustard seed, corn, rice, ginger, and peanuts in addition to nutritional supplements and a healthy sleep environment. Here are two more powerful tools for men to help reduce male infertility and promote testicular health.
Other Magnificent Resources
Selenium, like the cruciferous veggies with I3C and DIM, has major research showing multiple benefits for EDC and detoxification concerns. These benefits include helping with phase II liver detoxification, chemoprotective activity from xenobiotic exposures, major antioxidant support for thyroid, glutathione production and recycling, immune system balance, and more. In addition to selenium, there are several other dietary compounds that are invaluable as well. These include green tea and green tea extract, quercetin (found in onions and apples), resveratrol (red, purple grapes), Omega 3 oils (fatty cold water fish, flax, walnut, chia seeds), lutein, lycopene, other carotenoids (orange and red veggies and fruits), vitamins C, D, E, and folic acid, zinc, calcium, beneficial bacteria, and dietary fiber.
Hippocrates said it well over two thousand years ago, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” We know that we live on a polluted planet, and EDCs are everywhere. That was discussed in a recent e-newsletter. The fact of the matter is you probably already know someone very close to you or perhaps yourself who has to deal with the issues of hormonal imbalances. Maybe it is dealing with PCOS, infertility, a raging battle with PMS or menopause, flagging energy and stamina with andropause, or the big one - cancer. Whatever the case, these subtle daily exposures of EDCs play an insidious, sinister role in our health from in-utero and beyond. Our diet and nutritional choices have to be focused to deal with this daily battle. Cellular dysfunction just doesn’t mature overnight into a grade IV cancer. It is a process. Benjamin Franklin said it well in this context of disease prevention – “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Which side of the equation are you going to choose?
More...