Nutrition question

jbeans888
jbeans888 Member Posts: 313
in Ovarian Cancer #1
Hi ladies! My oncologist told me that my cancer is very very very reactive to estrogen which is why I can't be on any hormone replacents. But my question is do you think I should cut out foods that have natural estrogen? I was googling foods that are naturally high in estrogen and they are all healthy foods that I love. For example, all beans like kidney, chic peas, lentils and flax seed, beets and of course eggs and dairy. Has anybody looked into this at all? Is it safe to eat foods with natural estrogen? I asked my oncologist and she didn't seem to worried about it she just said eat healthy foods, but those are healthy foodsorGor some reason I feel differently about it and am scared to eat any food with estrogen. Any advice is great.

Comments

  • mopar
    mopar Member Posts: 1,972 Member
    #2
    VERY GOOD QUESTION`
    This was a 'live and learn' process for me. Over the last 12 years I've learned a lot. So, as to what I think and what I try to adhere to, here goes: No soy products, or soy based products. Limited on any others that appear to enhance estrogen, which also are some of my favorites. They include, but are not limited to, pomegranite, flaxseed, and some herbs which I am not too concerned about. Black Cohosh is one, and others that are promoted for women to help hot flashes, and general menopause symptoms. In the beginning, my doctor was giving me Premarin cream, sparingly, to minimize dryness and atrophy. It raised my CA125 levels, and I had a recurrance a couple of years later. So ANY estrogen products are a no-no for me. Also, I take DIM which converts the estrogen-like compounds to basically make them less harmful. DIM is present in most veges, such as broccoli (also one of my favorites), but taking the supplement also helps. Broccoli is better eaten cooked as opposed to raw. Raw is OK once in a while. I have a superb brocooli cold salad recipe that I truly enjoy and look forward to, especially in the summer!

    Anyway, although my doctor didn't outline all the things to avoid for me, he definitely said to stay away from all creams, etc. that have estrogen or estrogen-like compounds. Those include the anti-wrinkle, anti-aging products. Now, I'm not going crazy with all of this. I just believe in doing everything I can. And if you're interested in finding out about the ingredients and safety of skin care and other products, go to www.cosmeticsdatabase.com. I make that my 'go-to' source before I buy anything for skin care. I was amazed at what was all in some of the products that I thought were 'pure'.

    And, of course, you may have heard about not drinking from plastic bottles, heating anything in plastic, etc. There is validity for all of that, it's a proven fact that there are estrogens in these things. Again, you'll find your own balance as to what you think is important.

    Hope this helps! Don't be scared about it - just become informed. It may be a lot of info, but I personally would rather be well-informed than in the dark.

    Take care!

    Monika

    P.S. Sounds like we love a lot of the same foods! Maybe we should share recipes?
  • anicca
    anicca Member Posts: 334 Member
    #3
    mopar said:

    VERY GOOD QUESTION`
    This was a 'live and learn' process for me. Over the last 12 years I've learned a lot. So, as to what I think and what I try to adhere to, here goes: No soy products, or soy based products. Limited on any others that appear to enhance estrogen, which also are some of my favorites. They include, but are not limited to, pomegranite, flaxseed, and some herbs which I am not too concerned about. Black Cohosh is one, and others that are promoted for women to help hot flashes, and general menopause symptoms. In the beginning, my doctor was giving me Premarin cream, sparingly, to minimize dryness and atrophy. It raised my CA125 levels, and I had a recurrance a couple of years later. So ANY estrogen products are a no-no for me. Also, I take DIM which converts the estrogen-like compounds to basically make them less harmful. DIM is present in most veges, such as broccoli (also one of my favorites), but taking the supplement also helps. Broccoli is better eaten cooked as opposed to raw. Raw is OK once in a while. I have a superb brocooli cold salad recipe that I truly enjoy and look forward to, especially in the summer!

    Anyway, although my doctor didn't outline all the things to avoid for me, he definitely said to stay away from all creams, etc. that have estrogen or estrogen-like compounds. Those include the anti-wrinkle, anti-aging products. Now, I'm not going crazy with all of this. I just believe in doing everything I can. And if you're interested in finding out about the ingredients and safety of skin care and other products, go to www.cosmeticsdatabase.com. I make that my 'go-to' source before I buy anything for skin care. I was amazed at what was all in some of the products that I thought were 'pure'.

    And, of course, you may have heard about not drinking from plastic bottles, heating anything in plastic, etc. There is validity for all of that, it's a proven fact that there are estrogens in these things. Again, you'll find your own balance as to what you think is important.

    Hope this helps! Don't be scared about it - just become informed. It may be a lot of info, but I personally would rather be well-informed than in the dark.

    Take care!

    Monika

    P.S. Sounds like we love a lot of the same foods! Maybe we should share recipes?

    That's a question that
    That's a question that didn't get onto my list for my doctor! I eat lots of beans and peas, as my husband and I both have high cholesterol and pretty much eat vegetarian at home. I suspect that the amount of phyto-estrogens in such foods is not very high, and does not pose a threat, but I'm going to ask, and would definitely like to know more, if more is known!

    Monika - why is broccoli better cooked? I love it both ways. I'm glad to know it can reduce the estrogen like compounds.
  • lindaserrano
    lindaserrano Member Posts: 2
    #4
    anicca said:

    That's a question that
    That's a question that didn't get onto my list for my doctor! I eat lots of beans and peas, as my husband and I both have high cholesterol and pretty much eat vegetarian at home. I suspect that the amount of phyto-estrogens in such foods is not very high, and does not pose a threat, but I'm going to ask, and would definitely like to know more, if more is known!

    Monika - why is broccoli better cooked? I love it both ways. I'm glad to know it can reduce the estrogen like compounds.

    food as medicine
    Hello, I am new to this discussion but not so new to OVCA. Quick background: Two surgeries, first a full hysterectomy (4/2010, when they discovered the cancer) and later debalking (6/2010) with many organs reconstructed. Much physical, emotional, spiritual healing since then. I have a couple of books to recommend 1) Anticancer: a New Way of Life by Dr. David Servan-Schreiber URL: http://www.anticancerbook.com/ and 2)The Cancer Fighting Kitchen by Rebecca Katz URL: http://www.innercook.com/.

    Before I found these books and while on chemo I ate what I could when I could. Now that my chemo regiment is over (I am still on a clinical trial for Avstin, however) I stick as closely to the precepts of these scientifically researched books and cited materials. It's a relief for me to follow certain food guidelines as much as possible without getting upset or perserverating the times when I cannot. It also frees me up to discover other ways to take care of myself in this precarious journey we share. I hope this helps those who are trying to figure out new, cancer inhibiting/fighting diets.

    I sincerely thank all who take the time to share their stories here. Surely we have much to give and learn from each other.
    linda

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