How You Can Boost Your Estrogen Levels
If you have been told by your doctor that
your estrogen levels are low, you can use the following estrogen-rich
foods to get you back to where you need to be. You can also use this
list to help you avoid foods that are high in estrogen if you happen to
have too much in your body.
1. Dried Fruits
Dried fruits, especially dried dates,
apricots, and prunes, can help balance your estrogen levels in a huge
way. They’re also a healthy snack that can keep you away from the
vending machine with their sweet and satisfying chewiness, as well as
their added fiber.
These dried fruits contain phytoestrogens, which will mimic the way
estrogen is used by the body, helping to fill any shortages you may
have, while producing the same effect as if you had generated more
estrogen in the body.
When consuming dried fruit, remember that
the drying process concentrates all parts of the fruit, so you’ll be
getting more nutrients and vitamins, but you’ll also be getting more
sugar.
2. Flax-seeds
Flax-seeds are a great way to get more estrogen into your body, and you
can either eat them as they are or add them to other foods. They are
high in fiber, and will, therefore, help you feel full during and after a
meal, and will help a sluggish digestive system. They are often
recommended for weight loss because of their fiber content and can help
decrease cholesterol levels as well.
Flax-seeds are a great source of omega-3s as well, but it’s the ALA form
from plants, not the same as you would get from salmon and other animal
sources. This form of omega-3 is helpful at keeping arteries from
hardening, which can help prevent strokes and heart attacks.
3. Sesame Seeds
Sesame seeds contain phytoestrogens, and
you can also use sesame seed oil if that makes life easier, as they both
contain lignans which possess the phytoestrogens. They are also loaded
with fiber and are a great source of minerals. Due to their small size,
you can easily add them to other foods that are lacking to help make up
for some of that deficiency. For example, a tablespoon of sesame seeds
is going to give you a tenth of what you need each day for iron,
calcium, and magnesium.
Unfortunately, those sesame seeds stuck to the bun of a Big Mac don’t
count – you’ll want to consume sesame seeds by themselves or in
conjunction with other healthy foods in order to reap their benefits.
4. Chickpeas
Chickpeas are a natural source of phytoestrogen. The most common way
that chickpeas are prepared and eaten is in the form of hummus. They
don’t have much flavour on their own, so it’s important to mix them with
other foods, seasonings, and spices to make them tastier.
Chickpeas are also high in fiber and protein, which makes them a great
choice if you’re looking to reduce your meat intake. They’ll help you to
feel full, and keep you feeling that way longer due to their
combination of fiber and protein.
5. Beans
Beans have long been considered a healthy food thanks to their high
fiber content and ability to decrease cholesterol levels. They’re also a
food that is relatively high in phytoestrogen, although they seldom get
any attention for this feature.
Due to their high fiber and protein content, you’ll often find beans in
meatless main dishes. They have a texture to them that helps fill you
up, and they are digested slowly by the body, making them a great
carbohydrate choice for diabetics or anyone looking to maintain a
healthy blood glucose level.
6. Peas
If you’re looking for an estrogen boost, peas are the perfect side dish.
This is because they’re a great source of phytoestrogens. They also
contain important minerals such as iron, calcium, potassium, and some
protein.
Peas are also full of fiber and are a surprising source of vitamin C.
This means that as well as boosting your estrogen levels, you’ll also be
boosting your immune system. The overall result is that you’ll have
fewer symptoms of menopause and post-menopause.
7. Tofu
Tofu is also a very good way to help your body balance its estrogen
levels due to the isoflavones that it contains, and the way that these
interact with estrogen receptors.
The high iron and protein content of tofu is why it has been used as a
meat replacement for vegetarians and vegans for many decades. Many times
when you replace meat, you’ll end up avoiding cholesterol and fat, so
it’s a combination of getting the good things that tofu provides and
avoiding some of the bad things that come with eating certain types of
meat.
8. Soy Milk
Soy milk is derived from soy, and therefore it has the same benefits as
tofu in regards to the phytoestrogen that it contains. It just so
happens to be in an easily consumed form, which makes it a great way to
boost your estrogen numbers quickly.
Drinking soy milk can help curb some of the symptoms that are associated
with post-menopause by helping to restore some of the estrogen. Soy
milk is also a great source of calcium.