Menstrual cramps are one of the most common problems that women face. About 50% of menstruating women experience menstrual cramping, sometimes rendering them completely incapacitated.

The pain associated with menstrual cramps usually begins several hours before or just after the onset of menstruation. Many women experience other symptoms along with the cramps such as back pain, bloating, nausea, fatigue and diarrhea. This discomfort usually last anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days. Seldom does it carry on past 2 days.

There are many different factors associated with menstrual cramps. Increased inflammatory mediators, lower levels of progesterone, food sensitivities, lack of exercise, decreased blood flow to the uterus and some nutritional deficiencies can all contribute to menstrual cramps.

So What Can You Do?

1. Food sensitivity testing and elimination

Food sensitivities can increase the presence of inflammatory chemicals in our bodies. These higher levels are associated with increased uterine contractions and menstrual cramping. Food sensitivities also activate our immune system and can cause gas, bloating, fatigue and an overall feeling of unease. I recommend everyone find out their food sensitivities and avoid them as much as possible.

2. Avoid foods that are known to increase inflammatory mediators in the body

Some foods that contribute to an increase in inflammatory mediators include dairy products, red meats, eggs, deep fried foods, poultry, trans fats found in foods like potato chips, fries, and anything processed or packaged. Sugar and sugar containing foods also increases inflammatory mediators and should  be avoided.

3. Support progesterone production

Progesterone is a natural uterine relaxant and lower progesterone levels have been associated with uterine contractions and menstrual cramps.  I highly recommend having your progesterone levels tested and supported if your levels are on the low end.

4. Ensure sufficient iron levels

A large majority of menstruating women are iron deficient. Once iron levels are restored to normal many women notice a significant improvement in their menstrual cramps.  Ferritin levels below 40 are indicative of iron deficiency.

5. 30 minutes of exercise daily

Exercise will increase blood flow to the uterus and strengthen pelvic musculature. Both of these decrease the severity and frequency of menstrual cramps. Try to get in at least 30 minutes a day – walking, yoga, strength straining and pilates are all great options.

6. Stress reduction

Stress reduction will promote optimal hormone production and balance as well as a decrease inflammatory mediators. Meditation, yoga, and doing something fun significantly decreases stress leading to a healthier balance throughout the entire body and mind.

7. Stop smoking

Smoking directly increases inflammatory markers.  Once women stop smoking they notice an improvement in their menstrual cramps as well as many other symptoms.

8. Maintain a healthy body weight

Maintaining a healthy body weight is super important for our overall health. Healthy body weight is associated with a decreased risk of diabetes, heart disease, asthma and hormonal imbalances. Estrogen is stored in our fat cells so if we are overweight we have an increased risk of estrogen dominance and relative progesterone deficiency. This imbalance is strongly correlated with PMS and menstrual cramps.

9. Hot water bottle

Placing a hot water bottle on your lower abdomen during your menstrual cramps will help increase blood flow to the area and reduce the cramping.

These are just a few simple tips to help decrease your menstrual cramps.  If you think you need additional support please contact my practice for an appointment.

Dr. Kristy Vermeulen, ND

364 Hayes Street. San Francisco. CA

The 10 most common symptoms of a candida overgrowth include:

1. Digestive complaints such as gas and bloating
2. Low energy, fatigue
3. Headaches, migraines
4. Constipation and/or diarrhea
5. Sugar and carbohydrate cravings
6. Skin and nail fungal infections (ie. athlete’s foot, toenail fungus, red blotches in skin folds)
7. Low mood, irritability, depression
8. Difficulty concentrating and getting started on tasks, poor memory
9. Vaginal infections, rectal and vaginal itching
10. Difficulty losing weight

How do you find out if you have a Candida overgrowth?

The most effective way to determine Candida is through the combination of signs, symptoms and lab testing. There are a few different lab tests you can have done to aid in the diagnosis of Candida overgrowth. These include blood and stool tests. Blood tests can detect if you have candida antibodies and stool samples check for abnormal amounts of Candida in the lower intestines. I find the stool test to be the most accurate.

How do you treat Candida Overgrowth?

The best Candida treatment is to change your diet. Candida grows exponentially in response to starchy carbohydrates, sugar and fermented foods. So, it’s important to eat a whole foods diet low in sugar, refined carbohydrates and sugary fruits and vegetables.  This involves eating lots of leafy green vegetables, lean protein, herbal teas and water.

Increase in Diet:

• Leafy green vegetables, asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, brussels sprouts, green peppers, cucumber, celery, tomatoes, radishes
• Herbs and spices
• Lean protein such as chicken, fish, turkey, eggs and seeds
• Water and caffeine free herbal teas

Decrease in Diet:

• High carbohydrate vegetables such as squash, potatoes, beans and legumes
• Grains including rice, quinoa, breads, pastas
• Yoghurt and other dairy products
  

  

Avoid Completely:

• Sugar and sugar containing foods such as honey, maple syrup, agave etc.
• Any food hat comes in a package or box
• Breads, pastries and baked goods
• Alcohol and coffee
• Fermented foods
• Tropical fruits such as banana, papaya, mango, pineapple, melons
• Fruit juices and sodas

Supplements

By following the above diet guidelines the Candida will stop growing and eventually die off. This process usually takes up to 6 months if done alone so I always add in some additional anti-candida supplements to decrease this time. There are many different supplements out there but some of the more commonly used ones are caprylic acid, oregano oil, grapefruit seed extract as well as probiotics.  The tricky thing with Candida is that it can become resistant to the supplements rendering them ineffective, so it’s best to alternate between a couple different ones to prevent this from happening. The best Candida treatment will be an individualized plan customized by a health professional knowledgeable in Candida.

For a more individual program I recommend consulting a Naturopathic Doctor knowledgeable in Candida overgrowth so you can get the appropriate testing, diagnosis and support.

Dr. Kristy Vermeulen, ND

364 Hayes Street. San Francisco. CA

Here are some basic guidelines to reduce your toxin exposure and balance your hormones

1.  Eliminate sugar, white flour and refined or processed carbohydrates.

• This means avoiding anything that comes in a package or box. These processed goods increase sugar which then is converted into hormonally active fat. Increased sugar levels lead to blod sugar imbalance which can eventually turn into diabetes if not corrected.

2.  Increase fiber in the diet through whole grains, beans, legumes and fruits and vegetables.

• Fiber helps us bind up and eliminate any unwanted toxins, excess hormones as well as cholesterol.

3.  Reduce meat and poultry intake to 2 times per week and increase servings of fish and vegetables.

• Many meat and poultry products are loaded with hormones, antibiotics and colorings. All of these can disrupt our body’s normal functioning leading to hormonal imbalances, increased toxicity and even altered immune function. For the 2 days you do eat meat, make sure it is organic, hormone free, antibiotic free.
• Eat fish with the lowest amounts of mercury. Basically the smaller the fish the better.

4.  Reduce or eliminate caffeine and alcohol.

• Both of these hinder the ability of the liver to eliminate toxins and excess hormones from the body.

5.  Choose organic to reduce exposure to toxic pesticides like DDT, PCB, PCP, chlordane that can mimic hormones in the body.

• This includes meats and other animal products as well as fruits and veggies. If you’re interested in knowing what fruits are veggies are commonly sprayed click here.

6.  Reduce toxic exposure in your home by purchasing non-toxic cleaning products, dish soap, laundry detergents, carpet cleaner, plant food, etc.

• Conventional cleaning supplies are incredibly toxic. Check out Environmental Working Group to find out just how toxic your supplies are as well what brands carry non-toxic alternatives.

7.  Avoid consuming food/drinks in soft plastic containers. And never heat food in plastic.

• Plastic contains PVC’s that mimic estrogen in the body leading to increased symptoms of PMS, ovarian cysts and uterine fibroids, increased breast growth and more.

8.  Choose personal care products without a lot of preservatives/dyes/chemicals such as methyl paraben.

• A good rule of thumb is if you can’t pronounce an ingredient you probably shouldn’t be putting it on your skin. Check out how toxic your body care products are at the Environmental Working Group. EWG also lists the safer alternatives.

9.  Purchase a Hepa Air Filter for your home to remove harmful chemicals floating around in the air.

• Paint, carpets, cleaning supplies, air fresheners and furniture contain many harmful chemicals that are slowly released into the air. A Hepa Air Filter will remove many of these harmful chemicals and reduce your exposure.

10.  Have fun. Every process in our body works better when we are having fun and not worrying about the stress of the day.

• By doing something you enjoy everyday your detox pathways will be running smoothly and your hormones will return to balance much sooner.

Dr. Kristy Vermeulen, ND

Hormone Doctor, San Francisco

364 Hayes Street. San Francisco. CA

So what is Adrenal Fatigue?

Adrenal fatigue is a term used to describe a set of symptoms consisting of :

• difficulty sleeping
• fatigue and headaches
• irritability
• lack of concentration and difficulty getting started with tasks
• feeling of overwhelm
• feelings of anxiety and depression
• increased susceptibility to illnesses such as colds and flus
• increased susceptibility to stress. Something that may have never bothered you in the past may irritate you now
• sensitivity to light, noise

If you are experiencing some of these symptoms, you may have over-worked adrenal glands. This adrenal fatigue happens when the adrenal glands are fatigued due to long-term physical and mental stress or a severe acute stress. When this occurs, the adrenal glands are unable to produce the necessary amounts of hormones needed for the body to cope with stress.

The adrenals are a set of hormone secreting glands that sit above the kidneys. The primary hormones secreted by the adrenals, cortisol and DHEA, are responsible for a number of normal body functions and are necessary for life.

Cortisol and the Stress Response

Cortisol is the primary hormone involved in adrenal fatigue. It provides your body tissues with ready energy to combat the effects of stress, regulates your sleep and wake cycle, helps monitor you blood sugar levels and acts an anti-inflammatory. Cortisol levels normally increase during short-term stress – for example, you’re out for a walk and you see a bear. Right away you start to feel the stress response as your body releases stress hormones, cortisol, epinephrine and some others, to prepare you body to deal with the bear  – the fight of flight response. You decide to run away from the bear and after you have reached a safe distance you start to relax and your cortisol levels return to normal.  However, nowadays the stress isn’t so short-lived, many of us have stress on a daily basis. This chronic stress fatigues the adrenal glands leading to decreased cortisol production which can then manifest as headaches, irritability, anxiety, depression, fatigue and more.

Adrenal Fatigue and Menopause

When the adrenal glands are subject to chronic stress, they not only have problems secreting cortisol, but also DHEA. When DHEA production is decreased, lack of energy, low libido and and an increased severity of menopausal symptoms may occur. The adrenal glands are the primary source of sex hormones during menopause, so it is important to nourish the adrenal glands before approaching menopause to prevent estrogen deficiency and the symptoms resulting from that deficiency such as hot flashes, night sweats and osteoporosis.

What Can You Do?

The best treatment for adrenal fatigue is to avoid stress. Since stress is hard to completely avoid these days, there are other treatments options that can help. Exercise, a whole food diet, low in sugar and processed foods, and nourishing adrenal supplements are key factors in the prevention and treatment of adrenal fatigue. It is important to participate only in light to moderate exercise, as extensive exercise will create physical stress and increase the burden on your adrenal glands. Protein with every meal and avoidance of caffeine, sugar and alcohol are also helpful for adrenal gland recovery. Contrary to popular belief, sea salt is beneficial to individuals with burn-out. 1/2tsp in an 8oz glass of water every morning will support your adrenal function.

Healthy snack ideas to support the adrenal glands are:

• Fresh vegetables with hummus
• Apple with almond or hazelnut butter
• Whole grain crackers with avocado or nut butter
• Mixed nuts and seeds
• Avocado and tomato on a cracker or toasted whole grain bread with sea salt and pepper
• One or two boiled eggs with sea salt and pepper

Other simple suggestions include taking a high quality multivitamin, drinking caffeine free herbal teas such and getting lots of sleep.

If these suggestions don’t seem to be pulling you out of the “adrenal fatigue”  stop by the practice for an appointment. We can have a more thorough look at your hormones and possibly add adrenal glandulars or bio-identical hormones to strengthen the treatment.

Dr. Kristy Vermeulen, ND

Adrenal Fatigue San Francisco

364 Hayes Street. San Francisco. CA

There are many factor that influence fertility, such as stress, diet, lifestyle, nutritional deficiencies as well as hormonal imbalances. Sometimes the only thing getting in the way of conceiving a child is stress, lower than normal levels of particular hormone or nutrient.

So if you’re trying to conceive here are some simple tips to help you succeed:

Decrease stress

You can do this by finding time to do things you enjoy, such as getting together with your friends, playing a game of soccer or joining a yoga class. It’s also important to not put so much pressure on yourself to conceive. When our body senses stress our  nervous and immune systems switch to survival mode, and when we’re in this mode conceiving a child is not favored.  We’re too busy preparing our selves for the “flight or fight response.”

Ensure optimal nutrient status

Have your iron, ferritin, vitamin B12, folic acid and vitamin D levels tested. These needs to be at optimal levels for conception and to ensure a healthy, happy pregnancy.

Focus on a whole foods diet

Throw away any packaged, processed foods and focus on a diet rich in vegetables, fruit, whole grains, healthy fats and lean protein. Your diet should include leafy green vegetables and/or brightly colored fruits and vegetables, whole grains such as brown rice, quinoa, couscous,  lean protein sources of nuts, seeds, beans, fish, organic, hormone free turkey/chicken and healthy fats such as avocado, olive oil, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds and coconut oil.  Avoid anything that has more than 6 ingredients listed on the label and anything you cannot pronounce

Address any hormonal imbalances

Hormonal imbalances, in particular estrogen/progesterone imbalances, play a large role in the inability to conceive as well as recurrent miscarriages. If you are currently experiencing symptoms of PMS, for example breast tenderness, irritability or sadness before your menstrual period, irregular menstrual periods or menstrual cramps you may have a progesterone/estrogen imbalance. I suggest you have this addressed with a Naturopathic Doctor knowledgeable in hormonal balancing, read my other hormone balancing blog posts and/or sign up for my happy hormones online program to learn how to effectively balance your hormones.

High quality prenatal vitamin and essential fatty acids

A high quality prenatal vitamin and essential fatty acids will help supply your body with the nutrients needed to promote a healthy conception and pregnancy.  It recommend buying these from a Naturopathic Doctor or a reputable health food store to ensure quality. Avoid buying these supplements from a regular supermarket or pharmacy.

It is best to follow these tips for a minimum of  3 months.

Dr. Kristy Vermeulen, ND

Expertise in Fertility San Francisco

364 Hayes Street. San Francisco. CA

If you’re experiencing digestive upset such as gas and bloating, low energy, eczema, headaches or difficulty losing weight you might want to consider food sensitivity testing.

Food sensitivity testing uncovers the foods that disagree with you. Every time you eat these disagreeable foods your body launches an attack resulting in inflammation and immune activation. When this happens you develop symptoms of intestinal upset (gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea,) low energy and mood, weight gain, headaches and even behavioral conditions. By eliminating these foods from your diet you can experience a new level of health as well as significantly decrease the risk of  developing chronic disease and premature aging.

I have seen the reversal of Crohn’s disease, ADHD, Eczema, Psoriasis, IBS, chronic migraines, high blood pressure and even a decrease in some autoimmune conditions just by the removal of food sensitivities.

Food Allergies vs. Food Sensitivities

Food sensitivity testing is different from food allergy testing in that food allergy testing most often involves an allergist skin prick test. The allergist is testing if you have an allergic reaction instead of a sensitivity. Allergic reactions can present themselves as hives, eczema, breathing difficulties and anaphylaxis and generally involve the IgE antibody and histamine release. People with food allergies typically present with symptoms within a couple minutes to a few hours after eating the allergic food.

Food sensitivities, on the other hand,  involve the IgG antibody and often do not show symptoms for at least 2 to 48 hours later. The symptoms are more generalized and often hard to trace back to a particular food. This is why it is important to actually get a food sensitivity test.

So get tested today and discover the foods you love, that may not love you.

Dr. Kristy Vermeulen, ND Naturopathic Doctor San Francisco

364 Hayes Street. San Francisco. CA

When to Leave Items on the Shelf

Here are some tips to help you pick healthier products based on the ingredient labels.

1. If the ingredient list has more than 6 ingredients leave it on the shelf.

2. If you are unable to pronounce more than 1 or 2 of the ingredients leave it on the shelf.

3. Buy products that list the key ingredient as the first ingredient on the label. For example, if you are buying strawberry jam make sure that strawberries are listed as the first ingredient, not sugar.

4. If it has high fructose corn syrup leave it on the shelf.

5. Ask yourself “does sugar really need to be on this list?” Foods like bread, pickles and coconut milk don’t need sugar.

6. If you pick up a jar of peanut butter, jam or salad dressing and you see it has too much sugar or some ingredients you don’t recognize check out a few other brands. There are usually healthier choices available.

7. Last but not least, don’t be too hard on yourself. Just being aware of the ingredients and having a quick look at the list is already a step in the right direction.

Dr. Kristy Vermeulen, Naturopathic Doctor San Francisco

364 Hayes Street. San Francisco. CA.

Menstrual Cycle Hormone Balance

The female reproductive cycle involves an interplay of hormones that normally results in cyclical changes in the ovaries and uterus. Each cycle takes approximately 28 days to complete and involves the development and release of an egg from the ovaries and the preparation of the uterus to receive a fertilized egg. If fertilization doesn’t occur, the endometrial (uterine) lining is lost through menstruation (day 1). Estrogen and progesterone are two of the key hormones that regulate this cycle. Estrogen levels increase during the first part of the cycle; whereas, progesterone levels increase while estrogen levels slowly decrease during the last part of the cycle. It is the imbalance of estrogen and progesterone throughout the cycle that contributes to the symptoms of PMS, menstrual cramps and irregular cycles.

Seed Cycling

The good news is that this can often be corrected with seed cycling. Seed cycling works to benefit the regularity and health of the entire cycle by supporting our hormone production, binding and metabolism. Different seeds contain different types and amounts lignans and essential fatty acids. Lignans help our body bind up excess hormones, whereas fatty acids help with our hormone production. Together they work on balancing hormones throughout the entire menstrual cycle.

It’s best to have flax and pumpkin seeds during the first phase of your menstrual cycle and sesame and sunflower seeds during the second phase.

• Flax and sesame seeds are full of lignans, which block excess estrogens.
• Sunflower seeds are high in selenium, a trace mineral that is essential for the liver detoxification
• Pumpkin seeds high in zinc, which supports progesterone release

Together, these seeds will balance your cycle when taken in the appropriate phases of your cycle.

Monthly Seed Rotation Plan:

• Day 1-14: 1 Tbsp freshly ground flax seeds and pumpkin seeds daily
• Day 15-menses: 1 Tbsp freshly ground sunflower and sesame seeds daily

It usually takes about 3 months before you will start noticing the improvement in your menstrual related symptoms. So give it time, be consistent and if after 3 months you haven’t noticed much of a difference stop by the office to ask questions and book an appointment.

Dr. Kristy, Naturopathic Doctor San Francisco

364 Hayes Street. San Francisco. CA

Many women are familiar with the recurrent symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS): mood swings, fatigue, tension, irritability, depression, backache, abdominal cramping and bloating, etc. These symptoms generally occur 1 to 14 days before your period and it is estimated that over 40% of menstruating women experience symptoms of PMS. For most of these women, the symptoms are mild to moderate in severity, but for a small portion the symptoms can be severe, interfering with quality of life in a significant way.
Hormonal imbalance appears to be largely responsible for the development of PMS. This imbalance is closely associated with the female menstrual cycle and to help you better understand how this happens I’ve included a quick overview of the menstrual cycle and the key hormones involved below.

The female reproductive cycle involves an interplay of hormones that normally results in cyclical changes in the ovaries and uterus. Each cycle takes approximately 28 days to complete and involves the development and release of an egg from the ovaries and the preparation of the uterus to receive a fertilized egg. If fertilization doesn’t occur the endometrial (uterine) lining is lost through menstruation (day 1). Estrogen and progesterone are two of the key hormones that regulate this cycle.

Estrogen levels increase during the first part of the cycle; whereas, progesterone levels increase while estrogen levels slowly decrease during the last part of the cycle. It is the imbalance of these two hormones during this last phase, specifically higher estrogen relative to progesterone, that can lead to the symptoms of PMS. This high estrogen, low progesterone is often referred to as estrogen dominance.

Estrogen dominance is not only associated with PMS, but also many other conditions that effect women, such as fibrocystic breasts, uterine fibroids, dysmenorrhea (painful menses), hypothyroidism, depression (lowers serotonin and vitamin B6) and increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer.

High estrogen levels may be caused by many factors, but diet, weight, stress and exposure to xenoestrogens (chemicals that mimic estrogen in our bodies) appear to be the primary influences. It is also important to address liver function, as the liver is largely responsible for breaking down and removing excess estrogen.

So what can you do to maintain a healthy weight, avoid environmental estrogens and support your liver? Read on for some natural PMS treatment options.

Focus on a whole foods diet
Fill up on whole grains, fruits and vegetables. These foods are rich in nutrients that are often deficient in women experiencing PMS.
Increase dietary fiber by eating more fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Fiber binds and excretes excess estrogen out of the body.
Avoid high amounts of saturated fat and sugar.

Support your liver
Cook with garlic, onion, broccoli and leek to assist liver detoxification
Avoid caffeine and alcohol
Add sliced lemons to your water

Decrease exposure to xenoestrogens
Avoid consuming food/drinks in plastic containers
Never heat food in plastic containers
Stop drinking out of plastic water bottles. Buy a stainless steel or glass bottle.

Support your menstrual cycle with seed cycling
Flax and sesame seeds are full of lignans which block excess estrogens.
Sunflower seeds are high in selenium, a trace mineral that is essential for the liver detoxification
Pumpkin seeds high in zinc and will support progesterone release
Together these seeds will balance your cycle when taken in the appropriate phases of your cycle

Monthly Seed Rotation Plan:
Day 1-14: 1 Tbsp freshly ground flax seeds and pumpkin seeds daily
Day 15-menses: 1 Tbsp freshly ground sunflower and sesame seeds daily

If you prefer individual guidance with the addition of supplements and bioidentical hormones visit Dr. Kristy at PMS Treatment San Francisco

Dr. Kristy, Naturopathic Doctor San Francisco

364 Hayes Street. San Francisco. CA

Chemicals found in our food, water,  packaging and personal hygiene products have the ability to mimic estrogen is our bodies. These chemicals are called xenoestrogens. They can bind with our estrogen receptors mimicking estrogen actions in our bodies, resulting in excess estrogen symptoms.  In order to have optimally balanced estrogen and decrease our risk of estrogen related illness, such as breast cancer, it’s important to avoid exogenous sources of estrogens as well as to help our bodies metabolize our hormones.  So, how can you do this?

1. Eat Organic

Pesticides and herbicides contain many chemicals that mimic estrogen in our bodies. By avoiding these chemicals you are not only decreasing your xenoestrogen exposure but also your risk of chemical exposure linked cancers.

2. Eat Organic, Hormone-free Meat and Dairy Products

Hormones, antibiotics and other sources or xenoestrogens are added to animal feed. These not only alter your hormone metabolism but will also contribute to overall inflammation in the body. So, by eating organic, hormone free meat and dairy products you will decrease your xenoestrogen exposure and increase your overall health.

3. Avoid All Plastics

Plastics contain many different xenoestrogens. You should never heat or store food in plastic containers because the xenoestrogens can leach into the contents of the containers. There are many great, stackable glass and stainless steel food storage containers in the stores now. So try them out.

4. Replace Your Plastic Water Bottle With Glass or Stainless Steel

Bottled water contains xenoestrogens that have leaked out of the plastic. It is particularly dangerous when the water bottle has been heated or lying in the sun because heat increases the amount of xenoestrogen leakage. I know there are many BPA free plastic bottles available now, but it’s important to keep in mind that BPA isn’t the only dangerous estrogen-mimicking chemical in plastic bottles. There are many more! An easy way to continue to drink clean, filtered water without the bottle is to attach a water filtration system to your sink tap. Then before you leave for the day fill up a glass or stainless steel water bottle bottle and bring it with you. This will significantly decrease your xenoestrogen exposure.

5. Switch to Natural, Chemical Free Cosmetics and Personal Hygiene Products

Personal hygiene products and cosmetics are another source of xenoestrogens and other harmful chemicals. I highly recommend you switch to a natural, chemical free brand. These green products are becoming more and more popular and you can check out the best brands at the Skin Deep Cosmetic Database – http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/. On this website you can also look up the products you are currently using to see just how toxic they are. You will be surprised!

6. Eat Cruciferous Vegetables

Broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, collard greens, kale and cabbage contain a substance called indole-3-carbinol. Indole-3-carbinol has been shown to promote estrogen metabolism as well as act as an anti-oxidant. It has a powerful role in the prevention and treatment of estrogen positive breast cancers. So, be sure to load up your plate with these delicious vegetables everyday!

Dr. Kristy, Naturopathic Doctor San Francisco

364 Hayes Street. San Francisco. CA