Although estrogen is a hormone commonly associated with women, men have it too. Managing its levels can be a bit tricky. This is because high levels of it in men can be devastating and low levels in women should be avoided. The hormone’s purpose is to prepare the uterus for either pregnancy or menstrual periods by thickening the lining. It also sets women apart from men by encouraging breast growth, less body hair, wider hips and smoother skin. If men want to prevent a feminisation of their bodies or menopausal women need to restore lost estrogens, they both need to pay attention to the estrogenic foods they eat.
It’s important to note that estrogenic foods that are recommended to women going through menopause are the very foods that men should avoid.
A healthy intake of estrogens can be highly beneficial to men. It can improve sexual health, digestion and good cholesterol. Too little estrogen can affect bone density and reduce your muscles’ ability to perform at peak level. A lot of foods contain reasonable doses of estrogen that is healthy for men. These include apples, eggs and fish oil. If you suspect that your levels are too high, trying a good anti-estrogen diet plan might help. Most of these diets recommend foods like broccoli, cauliflower, nuts and avocadoes to lower the hormone in your bloodstream.
Menopausal women on the other hand, need to consume high-estrogen foods to reduce the symptoms of menopause, avoid brittle bones, reduce wrinkles and treat sexual disorders. Low levels of the hormone usually have nasty side effects. Insufficient estrogen in women can cause hot flashes, mood swings, a weak sex drive and dryness of the vagina. In some cases, certain conditions such as arthritis, depression, headaches, night sweats and flaky skin might appear.
In order to prevent or treat this symptoms and conditions, your daily diet needs to include plenty of estrogenic foods like whole grain bread, rice and pasta. Unsweetened low-fat yoghurt, milk, eggs and fish are not only loaded with the hormone but also contain calcium and protein required for healthy bones. Some of the best fruits and vegetables are lemons, oranges, blueberries, bananas, tomatoes, peaches, mushrooms, carrots, asparagus, spinach, artichokes, corn and soy products. Fresh produce also contains vitamins and minerals that improve your skin.
When you notice symptoms that point to either high or low estrogen levels, don’t make any conclusions without being tested by a physician first. The changes in your body may be a result of other conditions or an imbalance of other hormones like progesterone. If you’re going through menopause, talk to your doctor about creating a diet plan that can replace or reduce your medication.
Estrogenic foods have caused a stir in the health world. They have become men’s worst enemy and women’s best friend. This shouldn’t be the case. Different foods contain varying levels of estrogens. Whether you want to raise or lower them, knowing each food’s content and working them into your diet is the best solution.
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