Aromatase are a group of enzymes in the body that convert androgens and other hormones to Estrogens.
Tissues and cells can produce Estrogen independently of the testes, ovaries, liver, or other glands, and can be elevated whilst circulating Estrogen can be low, making testing not always truthful of Estrogen in the body.
Estrogen has been implicated in many diseases, by inhibiting thyroid and mitochondrial function, being inflammatory, blocking the utilization of oxygen and metabolism, and “stressing” the body.
Estrogen increases with age, alongside disease and other biomarkers of “aging”.
Many diseases and symptoms, such as Hypothyroidism, are much higher in women than men because of higher levels of Estrogens.
Dietary Estrogen such as in GMO Soy have been shown to have many toxic effects.
Estrogen has been implicated in Metabolic Syndrome and Hypothyroidism, and consumption of anti-aromatase compounds can drastically improve or reverse these conditions.
Estrogen increases inflammation and is increased by inflammation, causing a vicious self-reinforcing cycle.
It is no coincidence then that Estrogen levels have been increasing as the rates of disease and poor health have increased over the past few decades.
We are exposed to much higher levels of Estrogens such as xenoestrogens in plastics or moisturizing creams, phytoestrogens in soy products, and unabated birth control in tap water than ever before.
Decreasing Estrogen, such as by consuming natural aromatase inhibitors, can improve many different diseases and symptoms, such as Asthma, Dementia & Alzheimer’s, Depression & Anhedonia, and Hypothyroidism.
Here are a list of natural aromatase inhibitors one incorporate into their daily diet for immediate effects and improvements in energy, health, mood, and wellness.
Natural Aromatase Inhibitors – Aromatase Inhibiting Foods
1. White Button Mushrooms / Mushrooms
Likely the most powerful natural aromatase inhibitor, mushrooms – or more specifically White Button Mushrooms – are an excellent aromatase inhibitor. Very affordable and widely available, mushrooms make an incredible addition to any diet.
Mushrooms are renowned for their benefits on health and longevity, so it is no surprise then that most, if not all mushrooms, have significant anti-aromatase activity, and that many conditions mushrooms are used to treat such as breast cancer, are conditions contributed to by Estrogen.
White Button Mushrooms specifically have been shown to have significant aromatase-inhibiting activity in normal people and in breast cancer cells.
Mushrooms might be daunting to most people, but they can be sautéed in butter or boiled and added it easily and stealthily to most dishes.
Mushrooms go great with Ramen or sautéed on steak. One can even dehydrate them and grind them into a powder, and taken as a supplement.
2. Allium Vegetables (Onion, Garlic, Chives, Shallots, etc.)
Another food renowned for their health and wellness benefits, Alliums such as Onions and Garlic have potent anti-aromatase effects.
Alliums are also well known for being anti-estrogenic and great for masculine health and male fertility.
Alliums can be added to most savoury dishes and are indeed already a staple of most cuisines.
A sort of “mash” or “chutney” can be made by sautéing White Button Mushrooms with Garlic, Onion, and Butter, and a spoonful eaten daily or added to dishes to make a very potent anti-aromatase regimen with very noticeable benefits for energy, drive, and overall wellbeing & health.
3. Citrus Compounds
Is it a surprise that many of the foods renowned for healthful & youthful promoting properties are also potent anti-estrogens?
Citrus compounds such as bioflavonoids and flavones, such as Naringin, Naringenin, and Diosmin have been shown to inhibit aromatase, and specifically significantly improve Metabolic Syndrome.
That being said however, citrus compounds can also inhibit the detoxification of Estrogens, making a balance needed. If these negative outweighed the positive, studies wouldn’t have shown that they can so significantly improve Metabolic Syndrome which is interesting to note.
Ray Peat has noted the significant benefits of these citrus compounds, suggesting eating Marmalade or Citrus Preserves, and that Orange Juice also naturally contains these compounds.
Most of these compounds reside in the peel and rind of citrus fruits, so making a marmalade or fruit preserve with them can be very beneficial for health.
Lemon water has been known for it’s great benefits, especially for “detoxifying the liver” – the liver detoxifies Estrogens and when it is sluggish or overburdened, this can be hindered – so do the wide array of “liver detoxifiers” “detoxify” the liver of “toxins” or Estrogens?
Citrus peel can be simmered until tender or made into marmalade or fruit preserves, or some of the peel can be juiced or blended and strained, or steeped in a tea.
4. Chrysin
Chrysin is a flavone in various flowers & pollens and subsequently Honey, Propolis, and Bee Pollen.
Chrysin has shown contradicting human bioavailability in studies, however.
Chrysin, in In-vitro studies has been shown to have significant aromatase-inhibiting properties, while in human studies has shown contradicting evidence.
Bee products have many benefits, this adding yet another reason to add them to your diet and regimen.
5. Quercetin
Quercetin is another flavonoid, high in Red Onions and other fruits and vegetables.
Quercetin has shown to have many benefits, including improving Asthma and Allergies, and in aerobic performance.
Quercetin has been shown to have anti-aromatase activity.
Red Onions and White Button Mushrooms make for a great anti-aromatase combo.
6. Insoluble Fiber & Root Vegetables
Although not an aromatase inhibitor, insoluble fiber such as that found in root vegetables like carrots or turnips, binds to Estrogen and other toxins in the gut and clears them from the gut.
If you have studied the work of Ray Peat, you will recognize this as the “Ray Peat Carrot Salad”.
Root vegetables such as carrots, turnips, rutabagas, or parsnips can significantly decrease Estrogen concentrations in just a couple days by binding to Estrogen in the gut and preventing it’s reabsorption – an issue faced by anyone that isn’t consuming such foods really.
While our ancestors may have not needed (but would have benefited) from such measures, our modern diet & lifestyles and increased levels of endogenous and exogenous Estrogens verily warrants such measures.
Anybody can find significant improvements in energy, focus, drive, mood, and health in a couple days of a combined approach of consuming root vegetables to clear the body & bowels of Estrogen and other toxins, as well as inhibit aromatase and production of Estrogen by consuming mushrooms or alliums.
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