Can Fiber Lower Estrogen?

Barry Obummer

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Estrogen excretion patterns and plasma levels in vegetarian and omnivorous women. - PubMed - NCBI
We studied 10 vegetarian and 10 nonvegetarian premenopausal women on four occasions approximately four months apart. During each study period, the participants kept three-day dietary records, and estrogens were measured in plasma, urinary, and fecal samples. Vegetarians consumed less total fat than omnivores did (30 per cent of total calories, as compared with 40 per cent) and more dietary fiber (28 g per day, as compared with 12 g). There was a positive correlation between fecal weight and fecal excretion of estrogens in both groups (P less than 0.001), with vegetarians having higher fecal weight and increased fecal excretion of estrogens. Urinary excretion of estriol was lower in vegetarians (P less than 0.05), and their plasma levels of estrone and estradiol were negatively correlated with fecal excretion of estrogen (P = 0.005). Among the vegetarians the beta-glucuronidase activity of fecal bacteria was significantly reduced (P = 0.05). We conclude that vegetarian women have an increased fecal output, which leads to increased fecal excretion of estrogen and a decreased plasma concentration of estrogen.
 

tara

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Yes, fibre in the gut can soak up and carry out estrogens that go into the gut with the bile. This can reduce their reabsorption from the gut back into the system.
Some fibres have other downsides for some people, such as excessively feeding the gut microbiota, which can increase endotoxin load and serotonin.
That's why Peat usually recommends raw carrots or cooked bamboo - to help remove excess estrogen and endotoxin - because he says they they don't break down and feed the gut bugs as much as most.
 
OP
Barry Obummer

Barry Obummer

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That's interesting.
 

Peater Piper

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Psyllium husk is not very fermentable, so it shouldn't excessively feed bacteria while dragging bile and estrogen through the intestinal tract. However, it can reportedly be irritating to the intestinal lining, which could increase serotonin.
 

Pompadour

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Fiber can not only lower estrogen, but also progesteron and luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).
Here is an interesting study Effect of daily fiber intake on reproductive function: the BioCycle Study. - PubMed - NCBI
From the abstract (that's something to consider for women trying to concieve):

RESULTS:
Dietary fiber consumption was inversely associated with hormone concentrations (estradiol, progesterone, LH, and FSH; P < 0.05) and positively associated with the risk of anovulation (P = 0.003) by using random-effects models with adjustment for total calories, age, race, and vitamin E intake. Each 5-g/d increase in total fiber intake was associated with a 1.78-fold increased risk (95% CI: 1.11, 2.84) of an anovulatory cycle. The adjusted odds ratio of 5 g fruit fiber/d was 3.05 (95% CI: 1.07, 8.71).

CONCLUSIONS:
These findings suggest that a diet high in fiber is significantly associated with decreased hormone concentrations and a higher probability of anovulation. Further study of the effect of fiber on reproductive health and of the effect of these intakes in reproductive-aged women is warranted.
 

RMJ

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Fiber can not only lower estrogen, but also progesteron and luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).
Here is an interesting study Effect of daily fiber intake on reproductive function: the BioCycle Study. - PubMed - NCBI
From the abstract (that's something to consider for women trying to concieve):

RESULTS:
Dietary fiber consumption was inversely associated with hormone concentrations (estradiol, progesterone, LH, and FSH; P < 0.05) and positively associated with the risk of anovulation (P = 0.003) by using random-effects models with adjustment for total calories, age, race, and vitamin E intake. Each 5-g/d increase in total fiber intake was associated with a 1.78-fold increased risk (95% CI: 1.11, 2.84) of an anovulatory cycle. The adjusted odds ratio of 5 g fruit fiber/d was 3.05 (95% CI: 1.07, 8.71).

CONCLUSIONS:
These findings suggest that a diet high in fiber is significantly associated with decreased hormone concentrations and a higher probability of anovulation. Further study of the effect of fiber on reproductive health and of the effect of these intakes in reproductive-aged women is warranted.
maybe it was highly fermentable fiber -> lots of endotoxin
 

InChristAlone

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Problem I have is being able to tolerate bulk. It gives me anxiety, shortness of breath.
 

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