Although menopause and certain health conditions can cause an estrogen deficiency, too much estrogen — a health condition called estrogen dominance, is far more common in both genders. Estrogen dominance can lead to a plethora of troublesome symptoms, three of which include stubborn acne, impossible-to-shed belly fat, and sexual dysfunction. Fortunately, there are two nutrients that have a scientifically proven ability to reverse estrogen dominance and alleviate its’ nasty symptoms. In order to understand how these two nutrients works, it’s important to first understand estrogen dominance.
Estrogen Dominance Basics
Estrogen dominance has reached epidemic proportions in America, it is rarely diagnosed and most people have no idea they are even suffering with it. Estrogen dominance can wreak havoc on your skin and cause stubborn acne that is unresponsive to topical therapy. It can also cause cellulite, water retention and bloating. Worse still, it promotes the formation and storage of fat, and leads to belly fat that will persist even if you eat right and exercise regularly. It can also produce many sexual side-effects including a loss of libido, inability to orgasm, low sperm count, infertility and erectile dysfunction. Perhaps worse of all, it increases the risk for depression and stroke; for breast, uterine and ovarian cancer, cervical dysplasia, and endometriosis in women; and for benign prostatic hyperplasia, and prostate cancer in men.
The Importance of Estrogen Ratios
There are more than 15 natural forms of estrogen that have been identified, some beneficial, and some harmful. Maintaining a ratio that is at least 2 parts beneficial estrogen to 1 part harmful estrogen is equally as important for preventing the symptoms associated with estrogen dominance, as keeping total estrogen levels in the ‘normal’ range is.
The Safe, All-Natural Solution: DIM and I3C
DIM is a bioactive compound derived from cruciferous vegetables. I3C is derived from the breakdown of glucobrassicin, which is also found in cruciferous vegetables. I3C and DIM have a powerful ability to reduce total estrogen levels and to promote a healthy ratio of beneficial-to-harmful estrogens. They also help prevent aromatization, which in simpler terms means they prevent androgens from being converted into estrogens. Although both nutrients occur naturally in cruciferous veggies, you would have to eat 2 to 4 pounds of them every day to obtain noticeable estrogen reducing benefits. If your estrogen levels are already high enough that you’re experiencing symptoms, you should consider taking a DIM and I3C supplement to bring your estrogen back to a healthy balance.
Who Would Benefit From a DIM and I3C Supplement
As mentioned above DIM and I3C are beneficial to those who suffer from acne, belly fat, and sexual dysfunction caused by estrogen dominance. Women who are on birth control, who suffer with PMS, or who have a high risk for breast cancer would also benefit from these two nutrients. So too would most older men, athletes, obese people, people who eat a diet that is high in junk food, and men and women who are on any type of hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
Choosing A Supplement
There are a lot of DIM and I3C supplements on the market, but most are of low-quality, and will produce little-to-no results. If you want to experience real, long-term benefits look for the following:
– Strength and Purity – Check to see if it contains pure DIM, or if the DIM is simply a part of a broccoli and/or cauliflower extract, in which case the DIM may make-up as little as 15 mg of the total concentration.
– An Effective Delivery System – Most supplements contain crystalline DIM and I3C, which is completely ineffective because it does not allow for the nutrients to be delivered and absorbed in the body.
– Dosage – Often times the cheaper supplements are priced lower because they contain a lower dosage.
***EstroBlock (insert hyperlink: http://estroblock.com/) contains clinically effective dosages of DIM and I3C. It also uses a unique delivery system and the perfect ratio of DIM to I3C — a combination which allows the two nutrients to enter the cells and detoxify the harmful estrogens. This delivery system can result in a 5 times higher absorption rate than other DIM and I3C products.
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