Oestrogen is metabolised in the liver via 3 hydroxylation pathways, 2-OH being the favourable one. The 4-OH & 16-OH pathway have been linked to DNA damage and/or oestrogen-linked proliferative cancers such as cervical and breast cancer, and although the 16-OH pathway does have some benefits, such as contributing to healthy bones, one has to get the ratio of 2-OH and 16-OH right. Many foods can promote the detoxification along certain pathways, and this is why nutritionists and naturopaths recommend cruciferous vegetables, because they promote healthy detoxification of hormones and protect the liver.
Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, radish, cauliflower, rocket and Brussel sprouts contain compounds called glucosinolates, which metabolise into sulforaphane & indole-3-carbinol, potent phytochemicals that can prevent breast and cervical cancer. Broccoli sprouts contain 10-100X more of these compounds and they are super easy to sprout at home, so follow my DIY tips below and try to eat ½ cup regularly. I put them into our breakfast bowls, salads or smoothies ¹.
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- Sprout in a glass jar (not plastic) with a mesh lid and black covering. Sprouting kits are available from Amazon: https://amzn.to/4jZLeFv
- Rinse 2 tbsp seeds well; place in the sprouting vessel and fill halfway with filtered water leaving them to soak (about 8 hours).
- Drain the seeds well, keep dark and place jar upside down.
- Continue to rinse and drain 2X / day.
- After a couple days, the seeds may tolerate a small exposure to light in order to develop chlorophyll (mimicking the natural growth process in the soil and then above ground).
- Sprouts are ready when you see little leaves develop (times differ, but around 3-5 days). Store upside down in the fridge inside the jar on a tray (generally keep for 2–5 days).
Please see my step-by-step video below.
If you would like to find out more about how you can balance your hormones nutritionally, contact me on my contact form and we can set up a free 15 minute discovery call:
References
¹ Hodges RE, Minich DM. Modulation of Metabolic Detoxification Pathways Using Foods and Food-Derived Components: A Scientific Review with Clinical Application. J Nutr Metab. 2015;2015:76068and 16 &
