Book an Appointment
Call +27 (0)11 718 3004
Some of the risk factors that increase one’s risk for breast cancer include:
The following hormonal imbalances lead to overstimulation of the estrogen receptor and thus increase one’s risk for breast cancer :
However too much testosterone like in polycystic ovarial syndrome can increase one’s estrogen level due to aromatization of the testosterone into estradiol with overstimulation of the estrogen receptor.
So to prevent breast cancer a good start would be to balance one’s hormones, lose weight if this is an issue and try and ensure that you metabolize estrogen in a healthy fashion
So let us take a closer look at the metabolism of estrogen in the liver.
Estrogen is metabolized through two pathways in the liver. The first phase detoxification in the liver is hydroxylation of the estrogen molecule, either to 2,4 or 16 hydroxyestrone. These molecules are fat soluble and in order to eliminate them you need to make these molecules water soluble, through phase 2 detoxification which is either through methylation, sulfation or glucoronidation.
2OH estrone is harmless, whereas 4OH and 16OH estrone are carcinogenic.
To increase the phase 1 production of 2OH estrone rather than 4 or 16OH estrone is a nice way to lower one’s risk for dangerous metabolites:
However, taking I3C on its own is not sufficient since phase two detoxification needs to be supported as well. This phase two elimination is essential to excrete toxins and estrogen metabolites as well as for drug metabolism.
Methylation can be enhanced by methyl donors for example vit B6, vit B12, SAM-e, TMG.
The following nutrients increase glutathione:
The following tests will be particularly helpful in our fight to prevent breast cancer:
2:16OH estrone ratio in the urine >2, <9 . More than 9 would increase one’s risk for osteoporosis since 16OH estrone is a potent estrogen whereas 2Oh estrone is a weak estrogen at the receptor site. 2OH estrone is also an antioxidant and a blood vessel protector