How the Indole-3-Carbinol in Many Green Vegetables Can Prevent Estrogen Related Health Issues

Indole-3-carbinol is a compound found in many green vegetables such as lettuce, broccoli and cabbage that have important health benefits that can help you to live longer. It has been shown in most medical studies that indole-3-carbinol can help to regulate estrogen metabolism is most women since excess estrogen is known to be harmful to the body. Artificial means of regulating hormones such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) have also been shown to increase the occurrence of specific cancers such as ovarian and breast cancer in women. Changing the hormone balance in women can also help to increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.

All humans have estrogen receptors which serve as binding sites for the estrogen molecule. There are different forms/types of estrogen in the body (phytoestrogen, estradiol and estrone among others) and they have different effects on the body in terms of potency even though they bind to the same estrogen receptors. Generally the stronger types of estrogen have a greater effect on the body than the less potent forms, and hence greater amounts of the more potent types of estrogen would cause more harmful effects than the less potent ones (if the amount present is considered to be equal).

In the female body especially, the ideal condition would be to have as many estrogen receptors as possible and high amounts of low potency estrogen molecules. Most artificial hormone therapies use the most potent type of estrogen, estradiol which causes many different health problems when used continuously or in higher than normal levels. Indole-3-carbinol is a compound which is remarkably similar to estrogen and mimics the low potency form of estrogen and can bind to estrogen receptors very well.

A few studies have shown indole-3-carbinol to be a very effective agent in reducing the risk of breast cancer in women, this may be due to similarity of the compound to the low potency estrogen but scientists are still unsure as to how exactly this works. There needs to be a lot more research into indole-3-carbinol before it is proclaimed the next miracle natural compound. It provides many beneficial effects in terms of health and consuming it now (by eating lots of green vegetables) could possibly help to prevent a number of diseases and help save your life.

References

1. http://www.phytochemicals.info/phytochemicals/indole-3-carbinol.php

2. The Big Book of Health Tips. The Editors of FC&A Publishing. FC&A Publishing

3. Before You Call The Doctor. Ballentine Books. New York. 1992