Adrenal Estrogen, a Hazardous Hormone

Did you know that over production of total estrogen can cause animals and humans (both male and female) to be susceptible to catastrophic diseases? That is why it is vitally important to understand just what adrenal estrogen is and how it can effect all of our lives.

Almost everyone has an idea what estrogen is. Most women would say “It’s a hormone produced by the ovaries.” Most men would say “That’s a woman thing.” However, that is not the case. Even though men don’t have ovaries, their bodies still produce estrogen (sorry guys, but it is true). Estrogen is a steroidal hormone that is produced primarily by the ovaries but it is also secreted by the adrenal gland.

What is the adrenal gland? Let’s take a look. The adrenal gland is an endocrine gland located above each kidney in both females and males. The inner part (the medulla) of each gland secretes adrenaline and the outer part (the cortex) secretes steroids such as estrogen.

Why is this important to know? Most people don’t realize that too much total estrogen can lead to allergies, autoimmunity and even cancer. The fact that most people think that estrogen production only occurs in females may be the reason why these diseases are not always diagnosed and treated correctly. This wrong assumption may also be a critical reason why uncontrolled tissue growth in the male prostate and colon can occur.

Even females who are subject to the cycles of menstruation are often told that the only estrogen being produced by their system, is produced by their ovaries. However, if you look at the laboratory levels of estrogen measured in a monthly cycle, everything is related to the lower level of ovarian production, at the beginning of the month (7th day) and the highest level of ovarian estrogen at the end of the month (27th day). What causes the total estrogen levels in the system to increase from the 7th day to the 27th day? Adrenal estrogen production and a few outside sources.

Many post menopausal women are thought to be estrogen deficient and are given an estrogen supplement without measuring the total estrogen. Some women, that do have an estrogen imbalance from the ovaries and the inner layer adrenal cortex, may actually need an estrogen supplement. Often it is the case, that a number of others do not. In those cases, the estrogen supplement may cause an excess of total estrogen which may expose them to the threat of catastrophic diseases.

It has also been reported that many of these females with their excess production of estrogen, are also producing an excess of the male hormone called androgen. Even if their estrogen is low or normal, the excess androgen production can create a problem. Androgen can be converted into estrogen due to an enzyme in the fatty tissue called aromatase. Since the elevated estrogen binds (blocks) the receiver sites of thyroid. The bound thyroid reduces the activity of the liver and kidneys which further guarantees less breakdown and elimination of the estrogen and androgen. This allows the estrogen and androgen to remain excessive.

If the receiver sites of thyroid are bound (blocked) the metabolism of the patient usually slows which can cause the patient to gain weight. Gaining weight increases the amount of fatty tissue present which in turn produces more aromatase and obviously increases the amount of estrogen present. As we can see, increased total estrogen creates it’s own vicious and dangerous cycle… check back for part II of the: Adrenal Estrogen, a Hazardous Hormone

For a list of foods that will help lower estrogen levels read the article “Foods that Contain Estrogen Inhibitors” in the Healthy Pet Network library

http://www.healthypetnetwork.org/human_articles4.htm

For more information about other possible estrogen sources read my previous blog “What Determines the Balance of Good Health”

Yours in Health
Dr. Al Plechner DVM

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Tagged as: Adrenal gland, Adrenaline, Assumption, autoimmunity, Catastrophic Diseases, Colon, Cortex, Critical Reason, Endocrine gland, Estrogen Levels, Estrogen Production, Fact That Most People, Females, Kidney, Male Prostate, Medulla, Ovaries, Steroids, Tissue Growth, Woman Thing