Oestrogen can be metabolised via the CYP 1A1 enzymes to become 2 hydroxy-oestrogen which is then methylated via the COMT enzymes to the protective E2. This pathway of oestrogen metabolism is stimulated by flax seeds, omega 3 fats, indoles from cruciferous vegetables as well as herbs rosemary, turmeric and kudzu.
Oestrogen can be metabolised via the CYP 1B1 enzymes to become 4 hydroxy-oestrogen (E4) which is then methylated via the COMT enzymes to the neutralised Methylated 4-methoxy E1. However if you are a poor methylator (i.e. you have poor B vitamin status) E4 is quickly converted to quinones that are carcinogenic. Now, these quinines can be neutralised by the action of the glutathione enzymes and sulphur but many people lack the GSTM1 and GSTP1 genes that code for these enzymes – basically that if you are a poor methylator and lack the GST genes your will create a lot of carcinogenic quinones from excess oestrogen. To help stimulate this pathways you should eat sulphur containing foods such as brassica vegetables, eggs, onions, leeks and garlic as well as foods rich in B vitamins (meat, fish, seafood, poultry).
Lastly oestrogen can be metabolised via the CYP 3A4 enzymes to become 16 alpha- hydroxyoestrogen which is extremely carcinogenic. It is believed that E16 comes about from the result of xenoestrogens that I talked about previously such as pesticides, plastics and the pill etc… the best way to reduce E16 is to reduce exposure to xenoestrogens.
Tomorrow I’ll discuss herbs and nutrients to support the liver in the process of detoxification.

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