A Diet Change Will Remove Stubborn Fat Caused by Excess Estrogen

Although estrogen is natural, excess estrogen is problematic. It can and frequently does negatively affect men as well as women.

Estrogen is a hormone which is found predominately in women. Men also have this hormone--but to a lesser extent. Research has now revealed that estrogen may be the cause of fat that just doesn't want to come off no matter what you do. It seems to be exercise and diet resistant. This fat is aptly called stubborn fat.

"Estrogen dominance is believed to be responsible for age-related weight gain and metabolic disorders in both men and women," says Ori Hofmekler, creator of the anti-estrogen diet.

"Hofmekler is absolutely correct when he says that all of us are being exposed to large amounts of estrogenic compounds which are wrecking havoc with our hormone levels," says Russell Blaylock, a retired neurosurgeon who has written a book about MSG toxicity. "Studies show that xenoestrogens from plastics appear to cause premature menses in young girls. Soy isoflavones appear to increase aggressiveness and heighten antisocial behavior in monkeys and appear to feminize male animals..."

According to Ori Hofmekler, the standard American diet (SAD) is pro-estrogen, causing excess estrogen. Meat and dairy products are full of hormones. Fruits and vegetables are saturated with pesticides. In addition, synthetic forms of estrogen known as xenoestrogens are industrial derivatives and found in the air, cleaning products, lotions, shampoos, water, and foods. When these toxic chemicals get into our bodies, they mimic estrogen.

Soy and products which are high in soy isoflavones (plant compounds) promote estrogen. Likewise so does high saturated fat intake from animal meat. In addition, vegetable oils (sunflower, safflower, soybean, canola, corn, cottonseed, and peanut oil) which are predominantly omega-6 fatty acids, promote estrogen.

There are also natural estrogens known as phytoestrogens which can be found in common foods, herbs, and extracts. The prefix -phyto means plant. As the Western diet contains unbalanced omega-6/omega-3 fatty acids with way too much omega-6, it also provides too much estrogen producing chemicals.

When in too great a quantity, estrogen leads to estrogen sensitive tissues. This causes larger adipose or fat cells in the body. Problem areas for men are the stomach and chest. This condition can also cause gynecomastia, the formation of firm breast tissue in men; for women--stomach, lower buttocks, upper thighs, and sometimes the back of the upper arms.

Excess estrogen provides a never ending circle of fat production. Too much estrogen promotes the storage of fat while the increase in fat cell size produces more estrogen. A typical catch-22 situation.

The natural, organic diet provides nutrients to combat our society's excessive intake of estrogen producing compounds. These plant nutrients (flavonoids and indoles) are found in citrus fruits, bee products, onions, garlic, cruciferous vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Be aware that modern processing techniques are responsible for the increase of estrogenic compounds in food.

An organic diet will minimize the impact of excess estrogen and estrogen promoting chemicals in your diet. Eliminate vegetable oils and use extra-virgin olive oil. Buy organic meats, fruits, and vegetables. Dramatically increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids by eating more fish, or by supplementing with fish oil or omega-3 capsules (Further reading....)

Parabens can lead to diminished muscle mass, extra fat storage, and male gynecomastia (breast growth.) Shampoos, conditioners, deodorants, antiperspirants, sunscreens, and cosmetics contain parabens. Parabens can also be found in food products such as mayonnaise, mustard, salad dressings, and candy.

You will find parabens listed as methyl paraben, ethyl paraben, propyl paraben, butyl paraben, isobutyl paraben, and E216 on ingredient labels.

The best way to avoid parabens is to stay away from all processed food, and personal care products which do not use all natural ingredients.