This article may explain why we don't have blood tests to check our estrogen and many other things.

wonderingwoman7 · February 28

I've asked AI to do a summary in educated layman's terms of the article and have included the link. It's an old article, but from what I understand, it's explaining basic facts that I didn't know.

Detailed Summary of the Article: "Tissue-Bound Estrogen in Aging" by Ray Peat

The article challenges the mainstream belief that estrogen levels drop after menopause, arguing instead that estrogen remains in tissues even when blood levels decrease. The piece explores how estrogen works in the body, how it accumulates, and how it influences aging, disease, and overall health.

How Estrogen Works in the Body (Explained for an Educated Layman)

1. Estrogen is Not Just in the Ovaries

While most people think estrogen is only produced by the ovaries, it is actually made in many tissues through an enzyme called aromatase, which converts androgens (male hormones) into estrogen. Even after menopause, estrogen continues to be produced in fat cells, skin, breast tissue, bone, and the brain.

2. Estrogen Accumulates in Tissues

The amount of estrogen in the blood does not reflect the amount in tissues.
Progesterone, a hormone that balances estrogen, prevents tissues from storing too much estrogen.
When progesterone levels drop (as they do with aging), estrogen accumulates in tissues, even if blood levels seem low.

3. Estrogen Must Be Processed and Eliminated

The body gets rid of estrogen mainly through the liver, where enzymes attach molecules (like glucuronic acid or sulfuric acid) to make estrogen water-soluble so it can be excreted in urine. However, certain factors slow down estrogen elimination, including:

Inflammation, which activates an enzyme (beta-glucuronidase) that reactivates estrogen in tissues.
Hypothyroidism, which reduces the liver’s ability to process estrogen, leading to its accumulation.
Nutritional deficiencies, particularly in protein, which impair estrogen detoxification.

4. Estrogen Receptors and Cellular Effects

Estrogen binds to receptors inside cells, triggering genetic activity.
Some receptors, called estrogen receptors (ERs), are inactivated by progesterone.
Without enough progesterone, estrogen receptors remain active, leading to excess estrogen effects.

5. Effects of Estrogen Accumulation

Osteoporosis: Increased prolactin, stimulated by estrogen, weakens bones.
Breast Cancer: Overactive aromatase and estrogen receptors in breast tissue increase cancer risk.
Liver Damage: Estrogen slows liver function, leading to fatty liver and detoxification problems.
Neurotoxicity: Estrogen can damage brain cells by generating free radicals, leading to cognitive decline.
Aging Acceleration: Constant estrogen exposure over time weakens tissues and leads to reproductive aging.

Key Takeaways

Estrogen does not disappear after menopause; it remains in tissues, especially when progesterone is low.
Many diseases associated with aging (osteoporosis, cancer, liver dysfunction, brain aging) are linked to excess estrogen in tissues, not a lack of estrogen.
The liver, thyroid, and overall metabolic health play a huge role in regulating estrogen.
Natural ways to counteract estrogen dominance include progesterone, thyroid support, aspirin, and a healthy diet.

Estrogen and Cancer: How It Fuels Growth and What Can Be Done

The article highlights a strong connection between estrogen and cancer, particularly breast, uterine, and endometrial cancers. This link is largely due to estrogen's role in promoting cell growth—which, when unchecked, can lead to tumor formation.

How Estrogen Contributes to Cancer

1. Estrogen Feeds Cancer Growth

Estrogen binds to estrogen receptors (ERs) in cells, triggering cell division and growth.
If these receptors are overactive or present in high numbers, they can push cells into constant growth mode, increasing the risk of mutations that lead to cancer.
Breast and uterine tissues are especially sensitive to estrogen-driven growth.

2. Aromatase Enzyme and Estrogen Production in Cancer

The enzyme aromatase, which converts androgens into estrogen, increases with age and inflammation.
Many cancerous tumors produce their own aromatase, leading to local estrogen production even when blood levels are low.
This means that even after menopause, cancer cells can still make their own estrogen, fueling their survival.

3. Estrogen Detoxification Problems

The liver usually inactivates excess estrogen by attaching glucuronic acid or sulfate, making it water-soluble so it can be excreted.
However, in liver dysfunction, inflammation, or hypothyroidism, estrogen clearance is impaired, leading to high tissue estrogen levels.
Some cancers thrive in estrogen-rich environments because the hormone keeps stimulating growth.

4. Estrogen and Inflammation: A Vicious Cycle

Inflammation activates an enzyme called beta-glucuronidase, which reactivates stored estrogen in tissues, allowing it to keep stimulating growth.
Chronic inflammation (common in obesity, aging, and stress) creates a loop where:
- Inflammation increases estrogen activity
- Estrogen increases inflammation
- Together, they accelerate cancer progression

Key Cancer Types Linked to Estrogen

1. Breast Cancer

Estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer depends on estrogen for growth.
The more estrogen receptors, the faster the tumor grows.
Aromatase inhibitors (like Letrozole, Anastrozole) block estrogen production to slow tumor growth.

2. Uterine and Endometrial Cancer

High estrogen without progesterone causes overgrowth of the uterine lining.
If this continues unchecked, cells can mutate into cancer.

3. Ovarian Cancer

Estrogen can promote inflammation in the ovaries, increasing cancer risk.

4. Prostate Cancer (in Men)

High estrogen and low testosterone have been linked to prostate cancer, as estrogen promotes abnormal cell growth in male tissues.

Ways to Reduce Estrogen-Driven Cancer Risks

Balance Estrogen with Progesterone
- Progesterone reduces estrogen receptors, preventing uncontrolled growth.
- Low progesterone (common in aging) allows estrogen to dominate.
Support Liver Detoxification
- Eat enough protein to help the liver process estrogen.
- Support thyroid function (hypothyroidism slows estrogen breakdown).
Block Estrogen Production
- Aromatase inhibitors (like Letrozole) reduce estrogen made in tissues.
- Natural inhibitors: Progesterone, thyroid hormone, aspirin.
Lower Inflammation
- Chronic inflammation releases stored estrogen into tissues.
- Aspirin, high-altitude exposure, and anti-inflammatory foods help reduce this.
Avoid Estrogen-Mimicking Chemicals
- Plastics, soy, and some pesticides act like estrogen in the body, increasing cancer risk.

Final Thoughts

Cancer linked to estrogen is often about estrogen in tissues, not blood levels.
Aging, inflammation, and poor liver function all contribute to excess tissue estrogen.
Supporting progesterone, thyroid, and detoxification can help keep estrogen-driven cancers in check.

The 2006 article "Tissue-Bound Estrogen in Aging" by Ray Peat discussed the role of estrogen in cancer development, particularly emphasizing its accumulation in tissues and its potential to promote tumor growth. Recent research continues to support and expand upon these concepts, providing deeper insights into estrogen's involvement in cancer.

Estrogen's Direct Role in DNA Alteration and Cancer Initiation

A 2023 study from Harvard Medical School revealed that estrogen could directly induce genomic rearrangements, leading to breast cancer. This research demonstrated that estrogen doesn't merely promote cell proliferation but can also cause DNA breaks and misrepair, resulting in chromosomal rearrangements that activate oncogenes. This finding underscores estrogen's direct role in initiating certain breast cancers. citeturn0search1

Estrogen's Impact on the Immune System and Tumor Growth

In 2024, researchers at Duke University Medical Center discovered that estrogen could suppress the activity of eosinophils, a type of white blood cell crucial for anti-tumor immunity. By inhibiting these cells, estrogen may facilitate tumor growth in various cancers, including those not traditionally associated with estrogen, such as triple-negative breast cancer and melanoma. This suggests that estrogen's influence extends beyond hormone receptor-positive cancers, affecting broader immune responses to tumors. citeturn0search0

Dietary Influence on Estrogen Levels and Cancer Risk

Recent dietary studies have highlighted the impact of nutrition on estrogen levels and associated cancer risks. For instance, diets rich in ultra-processed foods and added sugars, characteristic of the Western diet, have been linked to increased estrogen levels, potentially elevating the risk of hormone-related cancers. Conversely, diets like the Mediterranean diet, abundant in whole foods, may help reduce estrogen levels, thereby potentially lowering cancer risks. citeturn0news27

Emerging Natural Interventions

Innovative research is exploring natural substances for their potential anti-cancer properties. A study conducted in 2024 found that Manuka honey significantly reduced tumor growth in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer models. While these findings are preliminary and derived from animal studies, they open avenues for alternative therapeutic strategies targeting estrogen-related pathways. citeturn0news26

Conclusion

The foundational concepts presented in the 2006 article regarding estrogen's role in cancer development remain relevant. Contemporary research has not only reinforced these ideas but also provided more detailed mechanisms of how estrogen contributes to cancer initiation and progression. These advancements underscore the importance of continued research into estrogen's multifaceted role in cancer biology and the potential for developing targeted interventions.