Hi Friends,
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month💖. Have you heard of the ‘estrobolome’ and how it relates to breast cancer? This is the part of the gut microbiome that metabolizes estrogens!
Sadly, breast cancer affects 1 in 8 women in the United States. The most common type is Estrogen-Receptor Positive (hormone receptor positive). In these cases, estrogens are not properly metabolized by the body and cause the cancer to grow.
As shown in the diagram above, estrogens are first metabolized by the Liver (Phase 1 and Phase 2 Detoxification), which leads to conjugated estrogens that are excreted in bile. The gallbladder stores the bile and then secretes it into the small intestine. Magnesium is a cofactor that helps with Phase 2 detoxification of estrogens in the liver. Magnesium also helps with bowel regularity, which is another way we detoxify estrogens.
Phase 3 of Estrogen Detoxification happens in our gut! Our estrobolome is the part of our gut microbiome that controls the way we metabolize estrogens. These bacteria 🦠 produce an enzyme called beta-glucuronidase, which de-conjugates the estrogens, allowing them to be recycled 🔄 back into the bloodstream!
Women with Estrogen-Receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer often have high levels of beta-glucuronidase on their gut microbiome test. This could be caused by a bacterial imbalance, called dysbiosis. Their unhealthy estrobolome is producing this enzyme, and causing recycling 🔄 of estrogens back into the body.
Calcium-D-Glucarate is a special form of calcium that blocks✋ the beta-glucuronidase enzyme from recycling estrogens from the gut.
Estrogen Balancer is a rich source of I3C and DIM, two compounds normally found in cruciferous🥦 vegetables, that promote healthy Phase 1 Liver Detoxification of estrogens to “cleaner” metabolites, and reduces “dirty estrogens.” I often call it the “broccoli”🥦 pill.
Optimizing your Vitamin D level to 60-80 ng/mL on your labs can also help with breast cancer prevention.
To learn more about estrogen metabolism, please watch my video on Estrogen Dominance on my YouTube Channel.
Spicy Pumpkin Soup
Pumpkin is a rich source of beta carotene and prebiotic fiber! 🎃
2 medium onions, chopped 🧅
2 cloves of garlic 🧄
1 tsp of ginger finely chopped
1 tsp curry powder 🍛
½ tsp chili powder 🌶
1/2 tsp cinnamon 🍂
1 tsp salt 🧂
1/2 tsp black pepper
3 tablespoons of olive oil
2 cans (15 oz) of pumpkin puree 🎃
1/2 cup of canned coconut milk 🥥🥛
Chicken or vegetable broth (32oz carton) 🍗🌿
Instructions:
Sauté the onions, garlic, ginger, and spices with the olive oil in a large pot until the onions are caramelized and golden. 🍳
Add the spices and stir until fragrant. 🌿🌶
Add the canned pumpkin puree, coconut milk, and 1 cup of broth. Add the salt and pepper. 🍲
Transfer the soup carefully to a high power blender. Be very careful when blending hot ingredients. I recommend placing a towel over the blender and securely holding down the lid while blending.
Blend until smooth.
Transfer the soup back to a pot and bring to a boil. Adjust the thickness of the soup to your preference by adding more broth as needed. 🔥
Enjoy! 🎉🍴
Warm regards,
Rajsree Nambudripad, MD
Dr. Rajsree is a caring and compassionate physician, who is board-certified in both Internal Medicine and Integrative/Holistic medicine. She is passionate about helping patients optimize their health through a preventative approach involving healthy lifestyle, dietary changes, targeted nutritional supplementation, and optimizing hormones. Her practice is unique in the personalized attention she devotes to each and every patient.