So what’s the deal with estrogen? As you may know, it’s the primary female sex hormone, but it’s the estrogen link to fat that you need to watch out for.
Estrogen is actually secreted by your fat cells, so the more body fat you have, the higher the chances are that you will suffer from high estrogen levels.
And when levels become too high, or when males start experiencing estrogen, problems will arise.
This is one reason why you often see men who are larger developing female-like breast tissue. This condition, called gynecomastia, may result due to higher estrogen and lower testosterone.
Some of the other negative side effects from sustaining high estrogen levels include:
- Bloating
- Swelling and tenderness in the breasts
- Decreased sex drive
- Irregular menstrual periods
- Headaches
- Mood swings
- Fibrocystic developments in the breasts (females)
- Weight gain
Various factors can lead to increased estrogen in the body including high levels of everyday stress, which increases the level of cortisol in the tissue, along with high intakes of soy rich foods and possibly high intakes of unhealthy fat sources.
Focus on eating a diet rich in fresh produce, healthy fats, and lean proteins combined with a proper exercise and stress management program to help get your estrogen levels under control.
