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By Richard Nkwenti; R.Ph; IMD; Ph.D

The amount of circulating estrogen in the body can go a long way to explain why every practitioner should somewhat consider the use of urine testing for estrogen metabolites to examine those patients who are susceptible to cancer and other abnormalities. The way we metabolize estrogens in the body may explain their role in causing conditions such as osteoporosis, autoimmune disorders and cancer based on what partway is used in the metabolic process of estrogens. There does exist two extremely competitive metabolic pathways for estrogen consisting of the 2-Hydroxyestrone and 16-Hydroxyestrone pathways (the major pathways) and the minor pathway consisting of the 4-Hydroxyestrone pathway. The 2- hydroxyestrone pathway is often looked upon as being anti-cancerous and the good estrogen metabolic pathway due to that simple fact that it lacks the stimulatory effect on the cells to divide leading to DNA damage and tumor growth (Kabat et al., 2006). On the other hand, the 16-Hydroxyestrone pathway may increase the rate of DNA-synthesis and subsequently cell multiplication leading to significant estrogenic activity and ultimately an increase in breast cancer risk (Eliassen, Missmer, Tworoger, & Hankinson, 2008). This may explain why it is of crucial significance to access urine levels of these metabolites once every few years. Of particular significance also is the incorporation of the following in the diet of hormone replacement patients because such have been shown to elevate 2-hydroxyestrone levels ) good estrogen (Rakel, 2012, p. 1259): Moderate exercise, Cruciferous vegetables, Flax, Soy, Kudzu, Rosemary, turmeric, Weight loss, OTC supplement Indole-3-carbinol, OTC Diindolylmethane (DIM) with proper GIT absorption enhancers; Sulforaphane glucosinolate, a high-protein diet, Omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamins B6 and B12 and folate.