FAQ

Q. How do you follow The Anti-Estrogenic Diet, if you do not eat any meat, fish, nuts and eggs?

A. Eat beans and rice and cheese (small amounts) or yogurt or sources or protein. Bee pollen and brewer yeast are great complement sources of protein. Check for allergy or sensitivity before using them.

Q. I'm losing weight pretty quickly on this way of eating so far, when I change to Phase II will it slow down my weight loss significantly?

A. Not necessarily, but even if the rate of weight loss slows down, it is still a critical phase to recharge your hormones and boost the overall metabolic rate for a long term, steady weight loss.

Q. If on the Anti-Estrogenic Diet for weight loss and you get off track one day, how does it effect the program? Can you pick up where you left off or is it better to start back at Phase 1?

A. If you have been off track for a day or two, reduce detox (Phase 1) for a couple of days and move forward to phase II, etc.

Q. Can you tell me the recommended supplements and doses of each?

A. In the case of excessive weight gain or estrogen disorder use:

Q. Does the weight loss decrease after a few weeks?

A. It depends on your condition. Sometimes weight loss occurs in "delayed intervals". The body rate of weight loss depends on inherent body fat (percentage) set points. It takes 2 - 3 weeks for the body to reset its body fat set point. You can theoretically go down from 30% to 15% body fat set point (in females) or 10% set point in males if you sustain a steady routine without weight gain rebounds.

Q. I am losing weight in preparation for conception/pregnancy and found out my progesterone is low, is this safe to do for me now?

A. Not just safe but recommended - Phase II of the diet will be most beneficial in promoting progesterone.

Q. How would I adjust the diet during pregnancy?

A. Try to sustain the diet mostly on phase 2. During pregnancy your diet should be mostly high fat, high protein - supported by dairy protein (do not take EstroX or Detox Kit). Warrior Essentials, Vitamin C and our new Warrior Meal Replacement - No Sugar Added could be highly beneficial.

Q. Are the supplements and/or the Anti-Estrogenic Diet safe if I'm on birth control?

A. The diet will not interfere with the effectiveness of your birth control, in fact, it may keep you healthier while on it. Those on birth control pills need extra protection from adverse estrogen metabolites. EstroX (our estrogen inhibitors supplement) along with the Anti-Estrogenic Diet may be helpful in this case.

Q. I have been advised to use progesterone cream once pregnant. What are your thoughts about this?

A. I doubt the effectiveness of these creams. Nothing can substitute the progesterone promoting effects of raw nuts and seeds.

Q. How can a vegetarian (NOT Vegan) follow the diet. I train about 5 days a week and follow a vegetarian diet. It is especially hard when dining out. When out at restaurants, what meal combinations are acceptable?

A. Do not mix grains with nuts, do no mix grains or nuts with sweets. If you eat anything sweet - combine it only with protein (eggs or cheese) and vegetables or beans. The book shows you how to make best choices when dinning out. This can make a substantial difference in weight loss.

Q. I started this diet on Tuesday, Oct. 2 and felt real good. More belief in getting to where I need to be. I then added the EstroX Meal Replacement Shake and the capsules. I took 3 capsules and 4 tablespoons of the meal replacement, one magnesium and potassium - all in the morning before I ate or drank anything. Within about 30 minutes I felt very tired and not good. It lasted all day, but I did feel a little better that night. Did I do something wrong or are you supposed to feel bad part of the time? Also, is it ok to mix the shake with fruit to make it taste better?

A. Do not start with the shake until around 10 a.m. Begin the day with water, coffee or tea and maybe a fruit for maximum detox. Let your body wake up before using the meal replacement. Initially when starting the diet, you may feel bad for a day or two as your body begins to release and purge toxins. Thereafter, you should feel much better. And yes, you can mix the EstroX Meal Replacement Shake with fruit, particularly berries.

Q. Are there answers for someone who eats mostly an organic diet, works out an hour a day but still cannot lose weight? I have been to the doctor and everything appears normal? How can one tell if they truly are having an estrogen related problem?

A. Stubborn belly fat is one indicator. Another way to tell is by taking a urine test that checks the ratio between estrogen metabolites (2 hydroxy estrogens/16 hydroxy estrogens). Unfortunately eating organic isn't good enough to grant weight loss. Check if your food combinations are correct. There is no excuse for stagnation. If you follow this program by the book you will lose the extra weight.

Q. I am 38 and had to have a hysterectomy. I feel like I am stuck in a much older woman's body because of the surgery and struggle with weight loss, belly fat, hormones, keeping mental focus, etc. Will the Anti-Estrogenic Diet help me?

A. We had a case similar to you in North Carolina (see testimonials) with great results.

Q. In the First For Women magazine article, it was made to seem as if it was realistic to lose 84 lbs. by Christmas. I, of course, am doubtful. Do most people that have a lot to lose tend to lose weight more quickly (like the woman in the article) when they follow the Anti-Estrogenic Diet?

A. Correct, the leaner you get the more resistant to fat loss the body is. Nonetheless, by removing obstacles to weight loss (which aren't removed by other diets), the Anti-Estrogenic Diet has been proving to be effective to anyone, regardless of age, weight or gender.

Q. I ordered the book and am hoping it is more specific about each segment of the diet - which fruits (apples, bananas, melons?), which veggies (potatoes - sweet and/or white). When you say seafood, does that include shrimp, crab, etc.?

A. It is very specific about lists of foods - when to eat, what combinations and what to avoid.

Q. You said no sugar ... does honey count?

A. Honey is okay in small amounts, but do not combine it with carbs or nuts. My suggestion is to avoid it if you can until reaching Phase III of the diet.

Q. Do I have to give coffee up all together or can I still enjoy a cup?

A. No, you can still enjoy your morning coffee.

Q. How long does it take to start seeing results?

A. Within days.

Q. I exercise 30 mins. on a treadmill 3 - 4 times a week, Pilates maybe once or twice a week, core exercise on a training ball, and use the small trampoline. I haven't gained any weight but I have not lost any either. Just why is it so hard for me to lose weight?

A. Something must be missing in your nutrition. You may suffer from hormonal imbalance or you may be incorporating wrong food combinations that prohibit you from losing weight. For exercise that can potentially induce maximum fat burning - check out our Controlled Fatigue Training (CFT).

Q. I thought that during perimenopause, the production of estrogen slows down… which causes lots of negative side effects. If this is the case, why are we wanting to be 'Anti-estrogenic'? Is it a matter of 'good' estrogen vs. 'bad'?

Also, why is it recommended that we avoid soy and black cohosh. Again, I thought those were the good guys?

A. As explained in the book, menopause involves an initial drop in estrogen but also a substantial drop in progesterone (the hormone that balances estrogen). That's how estrogen becomes a dominating hormone and that's why menopausal women are under the highest risk for having cancer. Anything that promotes estrogen in an unbalanced way, may contribute to the problem rather than the solution. The right way to address menopause is to incorporate nutritional supplements with a dual effect - promoting and also balancing estrogen rather than just promoting it. For that matter, a combination of black cohosh and estrogen inhibitors EstroX may be highly beneficial. For more information see Menopause Relief.

Q. I am a 60 year old menopausal woman and would like to try EstroX™. I do well with my diet and exercise but cannot seem to lose the thickness around my middle. I already feel like I am low in estrogen as I am menopausal, and my estrogen levels are already low. I have low libido, no energy, a foggy mind and poor memory. My body also aches. It never feels just right. I am not overweight, just thick around the middle. Would EstroX™ make my symptoms worse? It seems to me like a little estrogen is what is need. I have never taken any kind of hormones. Before I stopped having periods, I had fibroids. I never had the surgery the doctors recommended, as I didn't feel that I needed it. I just changed my diet and stayed away from products that made the problem worse. Can you tell me if EstroX™ and The Anti-Estrogenic Diet can help me?

A. The thickening in the waist may well relate to excess estrogen, which typically occurs during premenopause, menopause and post menopause periods. Ironically, women are most prone to suffer from excess estrogen and its related symptoms when their level of estrogen drops, such as during menopause. The reason for the excess of estrogen is that there is a dramatic loss in progesterone - an estrogen balancing hormone. This drop in progesterone is much more severe than the drop in estrogen, which leaves the body with an excess of andogenous estrogen, notwithstanding the excess estrogen that we get from being exposed to estrogenic chemicals (xenoestrogens), as well as estrogenic substances in food. EstroX™ was specially designed to address this particular problem by counteracting the adverse effects of excess estrogen and thereby helps defend against estrogen related disorders (such as formation of fibroids), estrogen related fat gain (typically in the abdominal and waist fat tissues, which are highly sensitive to estrogen) and also helps lower the risk for cancer. More information can be read in The Anti-Estrogenic Diet book.

Q. Is EstroX™ vegetarian? I cannot eat eggs, fish, meat, chicken or anything with that essence in it. I can eat some dairy. I would love to order some of this product, but I'm on a strict diet due to my spiritual path so this is very important to me.

Also, I have a question about suppressing estrogen. My friend who is a few years younger than me (I'm 63) is taking estrogen and she looks beautiful. I have not taken any hormones and I was wondering if this product will make me look older and more dried up?

A. EstroX™ capsules are made exclusively from plant extracts. The shake however, contains small amounts of dairy & protein substracts (pesticide free).

EstroX™ was designed to protect against excess estrogen, (not to literally lower estrogen). It is estrogen dominance that makes people prone to suffer from fat gain, disorders and accelerated aging. EstroX™ may also help shift estrogen metabolism to produce beneficial compounds (instead of harmful ones), and thereby help lower the risk for estrogen related disorders and cancer. Finally, the plant extracts in EstroX™ were used traditionally for thousands of years for medicinal purposes.

I hope this answers your questions. We are not against estrogen therapy, but simply believe that women need to protect themselves from the adverse effects of estrogen drugs. EstroX will not make you look older or dried up. You can read more information in our new book, The Anti-Estrogenic Diet.

Q. Can I take estrogen inhibitors – EstroX™ with other supplements?

A. EstroX™ can be safely taken with other supplements. The ingredients in EstroX™ are derived from botanical sources that have shown to be both safe and beneficial in helping treat ailments.

EstroX™ does not adversely interfere with vitamins, minerals or antioxidants. In fact, it is highly recommended to take EstroX™ with a multivitamin supplement to maximize the benefits of both in lowering the metabolic stress on the body.

Q. My problem is stubborn belly fat. I've tried virtually every fat loss product with no results. What makes EstroX™ different?

A. Most fat loss products today have failed to even address the problem of excess estrogen; neither do they offer any solution for stubborn fat. Conversely, EstroX™ was designed to specifically address estrogen related disorders including stubborn fat. The ingredients in EstroX™ have demonstrated the capacity to exert anti-estrogenic effects. This helps create a metabolic environment that favors the breakdown of fat tissues, including areas that generally resist fat burning.

Q. Should I take isoflavones supplements for treating estrogen related disorders?

A. Products made with isoflavones (mostly from soy) often claim to help balance estrogen, help alleviate symptoms related to estrogen disorders and even lower the risk for cancer. Products in this category are targeting mostly women. The theory behind this group of products is that isoflavones can bind to estrogen receptors and by occupying them, prevent Estradiol (a most potent estrogen hormone) from binding and acting. According to this theory, being estrogen mimickers, isoflavones would induce a mild estrogenic effect while blocking Estradiol from inducing its highly potent estrogenic effect.

There are studies that indeed support this theory. Unfortunately, there is also growing evidence that, under certain conditions, estrogen mimickers may do just the opposite. Certain isoflavones, including those derived from soy and black cohosh, were found to induce an estrogenic effect that may actually accelerate the problem (of an existing estrogen disorder) by increasing an already elevated level of excess estrogen in the body. Some studies indicate that isoflavones are part of the problem, not the solution.

Unlike estrogen mimickers, EstroX™ has no estrogenic ingredients, nor does it have any inherent estrogenic activity. In conclusion, to be on the safe side, do not apply estrogen promoting substances to treat disorders related to excess estrogen.

Q. What is the difference between EstroX™ and steroid inhibitors in addressing estrogen related fat gain?

A. Some fat loss products are made with so called “suicidal steroid inhibitors”. Products in this category are targeting mostly men. The theory behind these products is that they contain certain steroidal substances that can bind to the aromatase enzyme, responsible for synthesizing estrogen from androgens. The inhibition of this enzyme could in theory help lower estrogen levels in men, thus helping to lose fat. The problem with this theory is that it overlooks the high probability of side effects. Virtually all steroidal substances come with a price of side effects. Notable among them are estrogen kick backs, which are also associated with delayed fat gain rebounds and a decline in testosterone levels.

Unlike steroid inhibitors, EstroX™ has no inherent steroidal activity. It is made with a stack of plant estrogen inhibitors that exclusively provide a triple action effect in lowering excess estrogen. EstroX™ inhibits estrogen via different mechanisms than steroid inhibitors. It causes no side effects such as estrogen kick backs or a fat gain rebound. Distinctively different from steroid inhibitors, EstroX™ comes with a clear dietary guideline. When incorporated with The Anti-Estrogenic Diet, it can help eliminate stubborn fat and sustain a lean, healthy body in the long run.

Q. I am under estrogen replacement therapy. Could EstroX™ counteract my HRT?

A. EstroX™ will not counteract your HRT. If anything, it will help defend your body from increased levels of harmful estrogen metabolites often associated with the use of estrogen drugs. Thus, when incorporated together with The Anti-Estrogenic Diet, EstroX™ may help lower the health risk involved with HRT.

Q. You have recommended taking estrogen inhibitors supplements – EstroX™ – preferably on an empty stomach to enhance its assimilation. I have a sensitive stomach and find it hard to take supplements without food. Is there any other way to take EstroX™?

A. EstroX™ is quite gentle on the stomach. Nonetheless, you can take it with light food from the list of Phase I such as fruits, vegetables, soup or plain yogurt. EstroX™ may also be taken with meals, but nevertheless, it may not be absorbed at the same rate of efficiency as on an empty stomach or light food.

Q. How long will it take before I actually begin to lose weight?

A. You should already be able to notice weight loss from the Jump Start Phases. Virtually all of those on The Anti-Estrogenic Diet have experienced weight loss by the end of the first week (Phase I). Nonetheless, it generally takes about 2 – 3 weeks for the estrogen inhibitors ingredients in EstroX™ to reach a peak loading state in the body with the maximum anti-estrogenic effect. If your weight gain is estrogen related, you may need to apply the diet and supplements for 2 – 3 weeks before reaching an optimum on-going leaning down effect in stubborn fat areas.

Q. Does EstroX™ have any chemical stimulants?

A. EstroX™ does not have any stimulants or for that matter, any substances that may cause adrenal fatigue, liver damage or cardiac problems.

Q. Is coffee helpful in losing weight?

A. When applied properly, natural caffeinated beverages such as coffee or tea can actually be more beneficial than just losing weight. Both coffee and tea have shown to possess neural protective and anti-cancerous properties. When freshly brewed or processed, coffee and tea contain flavones and phenols that help protect the body from tissue damage and aging. Both coffee and tea can help enhance cognitive functions with a sense of controlled alertness. Both caffeinated beverages are mild adrenal stimulators and thus promote energy expenditure and fat burning. Nevertheless, both are regarded as recreational drugs and if abused, could cause addiction and adrenal fatigue.

For that matter, restrict the serving size and frequency of caffeinated beverages to the bare minimum needed for a pick up. In the case of having coffee, try not to exceed more than two cups per day. Another alternative is to have a smaller serving such as half a shot of espresso instead of a double espresso. Use your common sense and instincts. Do not habitually overload yourself with coffee as a solution for chronic sleep deprivation. Energy crushes and cravings for sweets or coffee could be related to a lack of sleep. Try to treat the core of your problem. If you suffer from an existing health condition such as hypertension, consult with your physician before having any caffeinated beverages or stimulants.

In conclusion, coffee and tea can be helpful in supporting weight loss. Just be careful with how much and how often you consume them.

Q. I am physically lean and fit. Should I take EstroX™ for maintenance?

A. It is virtually impossible to completely avoid estrogenic chemicals in the environment, food and water. Regardless of your fitness level, you should protect your body from the harmful effects of xenoestrogens. For that matter, estrogen inhibitors – EstroX™ – should be incorporated together with anti-estrogenic food as a means to sustain a viable nutritional defense against the ever growing onslaught of chemicals in today's world.

Q. I am over 40 and already suffer from a declining testosterone and a low libido. Can the anti-estrogenic diet help boost my vigor?

A. There is growing evidence that estrogenic chemicals accelerate aging which is also associated with a decline in testosterone. The Anti-Estrogenic Diet may help counteract this process by providing the body with both anti-estrogenic and testosterone boosting nutrients. If you take supplemental DHEA, you may also be able to minimize its conversion to estrogen and thereby induce maximum androgenic effect. To boost your libido, train your body to shift from carb to fat fuel. Try to increase the intake of food listed in Phase II of the diet. Raw nuts and seeds, when applied with the right combination of foods and in large amounts, could be the best fuel for your sex machine.

Q. Is EstroX™ geared more towards women than men?

A. EstroX™ is geared for both men and women. Nonetheless, due to higher levels of circulating estrogen in women than in men, EstroX™ often affects women faster than it does men. Men however may instantly benefit from the anti-estrogenic hormonal balancing and protective effects of EstroX™. When applied with The Anti-Estrogenic Diet, EstroX™ may help boost libido, performance and also help increase men's capacity to get leaner, as well as, develop a higher resilience to disease.

Q. I suffer from Type II diabetes. In spite of taking prescription drugs, my blood sugar is chronically elevated. The doctor offers me no solution besides increasing the dosage of drugs. What should I do to treat my condition?

A. Type II diabetes is a condition that can be naturally reversed. We have already addressed diabetes and blood sugar problems in Chapter 9 of the book. Nonetheless, let me note again how important it is to avoid all moderate and high glycemic foods, including all grains, potatoes, yams, fruits and all sugars until your blood sugar stabilizes below 100 for at least six weeks. It would most likely take about that period of time for the body to reset its glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. Also, as noted previously, try to gradually lower the drug's dosage until you are virtually drug free. Meanwhile, incorporate legumes, nuts and seeds as your main fuel foods. Maintain the right food combinations. Supplement your body with all essential nutrients as well as estrogen inhibitors. That way, you'll be able to gradually lower the metabolic stress on the liver and thus improve its capacity to utilize glucose. As glucose utilization improves, the liver will be able to regain its capacity to regulate blood lipids. That will consequently lead to the lowering of both blood sugar and blood lipids. Ultimately, this will lead to the reversal of your condition.

Q. Will I lose muscle mass during the Jump Start of the diet?

A. If you follow the guidelines in the book, you will not lose muscle mass. In fact, it is very likely that you may even gain. The Jump Start phases will help increase your body's capacity to utilize nutrients, including amino acids in the muscle tissues. The incorporation of liver detoxifying and hormonal boosting nutrients can help enhance recuperation and promote an anabolic potential in the body. Even though protein selection is quite limited in the initial phases, one can still take advantage of post exercise recovery meals and nourish the muscles with sufficient amounts of amino acids for recuperation and growth. The book provides detailed guidelines for physically active individuals that may be applied at any phase of the diet.

Q. Is The Anti-Estrogenic Diet based on the same principles as the Warrior Diet?

A. Yes and no. Both diets are based on survival principles. Both diets provide clear guidelines on human eating cycles and food priorities. Both diet programs promote detox, fuel utilization and sustained energy. Both are also effective in weight loss. Nonetheless, while the Warrior Diet revolutionizes the old concepts of nutrition and exercise, The Anti-Estrogenic Diet breaks new ground in guiding individuals on how to protect themselves against excess estrogen. Unlike the Warrior Diet, The Anti-Estrogenic Diet provides alternative plans to those who wish to keep a traditional routine of eating breakfast, lunch and dinner. In other words, The Anti-Estrogenic Diet applies Warrior Diet principles in a way that is geared more towards mainstream. Excess estrogen is a global ecological problem that affects all people today - men, women and children alike. The Anti-Estrogenic Diet program was therefore designed to provide practical solutions for everyone at any age, gender, ethnic group or culture.

Q. Are progesterone creams based on wild yams effective in promoting progesterone?

A. Progesterone creams and herbal products containing wild yam extract are being sold under the guise that they carry bioactive ingredients that will convert into progesterone and DHEA in the body and thereby help balance estrogen and give relief of estrogen disorder's symptoms.

Unfortunately, all human studies indicate that wild yam based creams and products may be just another bogus. The active ingredient in wild yam – diosgenin –was found to possess no progesterone bioactivity, neither does it elevate progesterone or DHEA levels in humans.

Q. Is licorice estrogenic? Is it safe?

A. Licorice is definitely estrogenic. It may also cause water retention. Licorice contains active isoflavones; notable among them is glabrene that has shown various degrees of estrogen receptor (ER) promoting activities. Recent studies showed that licorice's isoflavones glabrene and isoliquiritigenin can bind to human ER with high affinity and affect the body's tissues similar to estradiol.

Q. Can progesterone receptors (PR) binding isoflavones help promote progesterone?

A. Virtually all progesterone binding (PR) binding isoflavones were found to be either neutral or progesterone antagonists. That includes isoflavones from various herbs, including red clover and licorice that have shown high levels or RP binding with progesterone suppressing effects. For that matter, herbs such as red clover and licorice are both estrogenic and progesterone suppressive. To be on the safe side, avoid progesterone inhibiting herbs in cases of disorders associated with excess estrogen and declining progesterone.

Q. Can I have beer once in a while?

A. You can have beer once in a while, nonetheless watch how much and how often you consume it. Even though beer contains less alcohol than wine or other alcoholic beverages, it may cause more estrogenic effects than any other plain alcoholic drink. There are two reasons why.

First, typical beer consumption per sitting is much higher than consumption of wine or other beverages. Just look at the super gigantic size of a beer mug, compared to wine or vodka glasses. Second, beer has significant amounts of phytoestrogens from hops – a bitter herb ingredient in beer which is highly estrogenic. Based on recent studies, researchers at Berkeley, CA, concluded that hops is one of the six highest estrogen receptors (ER) binding herbs that are most commonly used.

The double wham effect of beer can be overwhelming. High alcohol intake combined with highly estrogenic substances, can devastate the body with a strong estrogenic effect, often leading to increasing size of estrogen sensitive fat tissues in the belly, forming a so called beer belly. In conclusion, if you like to have a beer once in a while, have a glass of beer instead of a mug. Do not binge drink. If you suffer from an existing estrogen related disorder or stubborn belly fat, avoid drinking beer until you notice a substantial improvement in your condition.

You may also wish to review our article on Alcohol and Your Diet.

Q. Hi, I just got the book and have been checking out the website as well. I haven't found any information on carob and carob products. Are these ok to use? I don't like to use chocolate for a lot of things and prefer the carob taste. What phases are ok to use carob products in if at all? Mostly talking about organic unsweetened carob chips and powder, not so much foods that contain carob although would like to know about those as well.

A. Unsweetened carob chips should be treated like unsweetened chocolate. The can be incorporated in Phase II of the diet or if you like, try them in Phase II instead of nuts or seeds (one day at a time). If however you eat only small amounts (1/3 handfull), you can have them at any time in Phases II or II of the diet. Note that some people are reactive to carob. Also, check what kind of fat is in the carob chips.

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