| Constituents: flavonoids, coumarins, isoflavones, baptisin (a bitter principle). Action. Powerful antiseptic alterative. Febrifuge for non-specific continued fevers arising from blood infection. "Resembles Echinacea but has a more specific reference to enteric and typhoid conditions." (E.H. Ruddock MD) Immune stimulant. "Roots contain a strong lymphocyte DNA synthesis-stimulating activity." (Planta Medica 1989, 55(4), pp 358-63 (Ger).) Uses. One of the first agents that sprang to the minds of old-time American physicians for typhoid. Fevers and septic conditions. |
James A. Duke, Ph.D.
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 As I mentioned earlier, soybeans contain the isoflavones daidzein and genistein. These compounds are phytoestrogens, or plant estrogens. They act just like your body's own estrogen, binding to the estrogen receptors on cells. But chemically, they're much weaker.
Just like pharmaceutical estrogen, phytoestrogens do good things for menopausal women, helping to prevent hot flashes as well as heart disease and osteoporosis. But plant estrogens may be too weak to promote the development of breast cancer, as synthetic estrogen does. |
| Women who are allergic may be avoiding soy without realizing that they can get their isoflavones from other sources.
While I'm not disputing the value of soy, I say that we should give the other beans their due. All of them contain phytoestrogens that can help ease a woman's passage through her perimenopausal and menopausal years.
Hot Flashes: An Herbal Quartet Can Douse the Flames
Of the various discomforts that women might experience during menopause, hot flashes seem to be the most bothersome. |
| Duke s r—n< Anti-Aging
Elixir
Full o' Phytoestrogens Soup
If you eat lots of fatty meats—bacon, sausage, beef, lamb, pork—you can do yourself a double-barreled favor by replacing some of that animal fat with beans, which are top-notch sources of the isoflavones genistein and daidzein.
You may not realize that animal fat is often overloaded with synthetic feedlot hormones. Reducing your intake of animal foods can help prevent menopausal discomforts. Eating isoflavone-rich legumes can help even more.
You'll get plenty of genistein and daidzein by making this brimming-with-beans soup. |
| Soy contains estrogenic isoflavones, which compete with the body's own estrogen and reduce the amount of the hormone circulating in the bloodstream. I also suggested that Kathleen take 2 tablespoons of flaxseed oil every day. Like soy, flaxseed is estrogenic.
"After just 1 week, Kathleen reported that her night sweats and hot flashes had diminished. By the third week, they were completely gone. When she had the ultrasound to examine her calcifications, they were gone, too.
"Kathleen's gynecologist now prescribes soy milk and flaxseed oil to women in similar situations." sprouts. |
| For an even bigger dose of isoflavones, help yourself to some bean
Soy and Flaxseed Stopped Her Flashes Cold
This story came to me by way of Stephanie Maxine Ross, a medical botanist who teaches first- and second-year medical students, in addition to advising clients about the medicinal uses of herbs.
"Kathleen consulted me about her fibrocystic breasts, a condition that she had been dealing with for 4 years. She was also bothered by menopausal hot flashes and night sweats. |
| Diet alone wasn't enough, so I resorted to the concentrated isoflavones in Nature's Herbs Phytoestrogen Power capsules (three or four a day) rather than going with synthetic estrogen plus progesterone. I'm now using wild yam cream, applied topically. I continue to eat soy burgers once a day, plus dates, broccoli, and other vegetables daily.
"All this has been enough to manage my menopausal symptoms. Thanks for your counsel in these matters."
This last benefit is especially important for people with angina. Clotting factors play a key role in triggering heart attacks. |
Marcia Zimmerman, C.N.
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 The earlier one starts eating soy products, the better—according to a recent study published in Carcinogenesis. isoflavones compete with estrogen by locking up estrogen receptors in breast tissue before estrogen can attach itself and cause possible harm. Asian women who eat soy foods for a lifetime are virtually free of breast cancer as well as the discomfort that can come from the body's estrogen reduction that occurs during menopause, such as hot flashes.
Rice milk is another beverage that can be added to your child's diet, for a break from milk. |
Thomas Bartram
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 Constituents: piscidin, calcium oxalate, isoflavones, organic acids. Action: sedative, antispasmodic, nerve relaxant, mild analgesic, hypnotic, antitussive, antiinflammatory.
Synergy: action resembles Wild Yam, Black Haw, Pulsatilla, Bryonia, Black Cohosh and Gelsemium regarding nerve symptoms. Uses. Infantile hyperactivity, brain excitability, nervous instability, neuralgia, insomnia from excess coffee or mental activity, toothache, spasm of the womb, migraine.
Combines well with Valerian and Hops for over-excitability and sleeplessness. Preparations. Thrice daily. Dried root bark. |
Patrick Quillin, PhD,RD,CNS
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 Researchers at the National Cancer Institute find a collection of substances in soybeans, including isoflavones and phytoestrogens, appear to have potent anticancer properties.13 Dr. Ann Kennedy has spent 20 years researching a compound in soybeans that:
-prevents cancer in most animals exposed to a variety of carcinogens
-retards cancer in some studies
-lowers the toxic side effects of chemo and radiation therapy -reverts a cancer cell back to a normal healthy cell.14
-Others. There are numerous foods that show an ability to slow tumor growth in some way. |
Earl Mindell
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 If you're not a tofu fan, and your feeling about soy is just soy-so, it is available in pill and powdered supplement form with daidzein and other isoflavones. One soy protein shake or two soy concentrate supplement tablets (containing 10 mg. genistein and daidzein) is what I would recommend.
DAIDZEIN: Works with genistein to block enzymes that promote tumor growth. May be especially beneficial to women in controlling the effects of potent estrogens that could stimulate the growth of breast cancer cells. Helps reduce blood-alcohol levels and relieve hangovers (see section 205). |
John Boik
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 These include certain phytoestrogens, phytosterols, saponins, flavonoids, protease inhibitors, isoflavones, and lignans. Some of the more promising compounds include the phytoestrogen equol; the flavonoids quercetin, (+)-catechin, and epigallocate-chin 3-gallate (EGCG); the isoflavone genistein; and lignans obtained from flax seed and Arctium lappa. These compounds may act by a variety of mechanisms to inhibit cancer growth, such as by reducing estrogen
-r^— ——" urea.
15.1 DMSO
15.1.1 Solvent Activities
15.1.2 Hydroxy I Scavenger Action
15.3.2 Wobe-Mugos
15.3.3 Bromelain
15.4 UREA
15. |
Sheldon Saul Hendler and David Rorvik
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4200 Laclede Avenue St. |
John Boik
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| The most potent fractions contained isoflavones, of which the most potent isoflavone was genistein. Endothelial cell proliferation in culture was inhibited by 50% at a concentration of 5 uM, and completely inhibited at 50 uM. Angiogenesis was inhibited by 50% at 150 uM. Genistein also inhibited the production of plasminogen activator and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 in response to stimulation by basic fibroblast growth factor. The urine of subjects eating a western-type diet contained over 30 times less genistein (Fotsis et al., 1993). |
| Studies regarding the effects of isoflavones on tyrosine kinase inhibition and other anticancer mechanisms are discussed below. It should be noted that all of these studies have been conducted in vitro. The results of in-vivo studies are expected soon.
I4.6,1 Inhibition of Platelet Aggregation
As discussed in Chapter 5, platelet aggregation may facilitate the process of metastasis. Tyrosine kinases are important signaling enzymes in inducing platelets to aggregate in response to soluble factors produced at sites of blood vessel injury. |
David Heber, M.D., Ph.D.
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 Scientists call these actions "selective estrogen response modifiers," or SERMS, and some soy researchers have applied this same terminology to soy protein isoflavones. A chemical formed from plant estrogens called "ipriflavone" is sold as a dietary supplement and has been studied extensively in Europe, where it has been shown to reduce thinning of the bones.
You Have to Fall Over to Break Your Hip
While healthy nutrition is important, maintaining your muscles, especially the big muscles in your legs, is important. |
John Boik
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| Isoflavonoids are found mostly in the Leguminosae family (legumes), and can be divided into isoflavones, isoflavanones, pterocarpans, isoflavans, and rotenoids. Common isoflavonoids include genistein, daidzein, and biochanin A.
5) Tannins. Tannins include proanthocyanidins and gallic acid phenolics (the gallo- and ellagi-tannins). They are characterized by their ability to bind with proteins. Proanthocyanidins are dimers of flavanols. In France, where much of the basic research on flavanols has taken place, they are termed "procyanidols" or in French "oligomeres procyanidoliques", or OPC. |
Ralph W. Moss, Ph.D.
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 Soy contains phytate and protease inhibitors and are a unique source of isoflavones, antihormones that inhibit the production of cancer genes (7,8).
• Macrobiotics has championed burdock root as a vegetable. In Japan, burdock (gobo) is believed to act as a tonic. It protects against cancer-causing mutations (9). Burdock was once the 'root' in root beer, but its use has largely died out. (It is found in herbal-based treatments Essiac and Hoxsey.)
• Macrobiotics encourages the consumption of Bancha instead of black or oolong tea, or coffee. |
Committee on Comparative Toxicity of Naturally Occurring Carcinogens
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 Similarly, and more significantly, the plant antioxidants such as flavone derivatives, isoflavones, catechins, coumarins, phenyl-propanoids, polyfunctional organic acids, phosphatides, tocopherols, ascorbic acid, and the carotenes have clear roles in plants (including dietary plants). They act as reducing compounds, as free radical chain interrupters, as quenchers or inhibitors of the formation of singlet oxygen, and as inactivators of pro-oxidant metals (Simic and Karel 1980, Hudson 1990). |
The Life Extension Editorial Staff
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 Lu et al. 2000); omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in fish oils (Osborne et al. 1988); a high-protein diet (Anderson et al. 1984); and an athletic lifestyle (Snow et al. 1989; Frisch et al. 1993). Two factors that are known to decrease 2-hydroxyestrone levels are obesity (Michnovicz 1998) and a diet high in fat (Longcope et al. 1987). In most cases, note that the factors that increase 2-hydroxyla-tion of estrogens are those already known to prevent breast cancer.
There is abundant clinical evidence that 16-hydroxyestrone is elevated in women with breast cancer. |
Dr. Mary Dan Eades
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 Recommendation: It is preferable to eat the organic form of isoflavones. Their equality to prescription hormonal supplements has been demonstrated, without the adverse side effects.
• Exercise, even in moderate amounts, is extremely helpful in alleviating PMS. Exercise increases oxygen levels in the blood, which improves nutrient absorption and toxin elimination. It also helps maintain hormone balance.
Herbal remedies
• Chasteberry relieves PMS because it balances hormones produced during women's monthly cycles. |
| Studies have produced conflicting results, and experts suggest the possibility that isoflavones are effective in some women, but not in all.
Lignans
Almost all cereals and vegetables contain lignans. The highest concentration is found in oil seeds, especially flaxseed. Lignans act like estrogen and have antioxidant properties as well. They have been shown to influence sex hormone metabolism and biological activity and more recently, to influence the enzymes in the body's cells, protein sythesis, growth factor action, cancer cell reproduction, and differentiation. |
| Isoflavones are )hytoestrogens; they have mild estrogenic activity. Some clovers ire so estrogenic that they have been known to cause spontaneous bortion in cattle that overgraze on them. But for humans, this herb an help balance hormones and is used to treat the symptoms of lenopause.
• Red clover is good for bacterial infections, HIV and AIDS, in-amed lungs, and inflammatory bowel disorders.
Contraindications—None known.
-St. John's Wort-
Hypericum perforatum
Forms—The flowers, leaves, and stem are used to make oil, tinctures, infusions, and extracts. |
| Red clover contains 1 to 2.5% isoflavones, which enhance estrogen levels. This herb makes a nice tea.
Dosage may vary, depending on the duration and severity of your symptoms. Consult a qualified herbal practitioner. Alert your physician to your decision to use herbs. Some herbal remedies cannot be used in combination with conventional pharmaceuticals.
Phytoestrogens and Menopause: Hope for the Hormones?
Phytoestrogens are naturally occurring compounds in specific plants, herbs, and seeds. |
Earl Mindell
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| Because of this, antioxidant-rich foods and supplements such as ginkgo biloba, grapeseed extract, green tea extract, isoflavones, lutein, lycopene, are needed in our diets, and the sooner they are included the greater the long-term benefits. (See Chapter VEX)
14. Name That Alternative Therapy
Just as no one supplement fits all, no one alternative therapy is suited to everyone. Today, dozens of alternatives to conventional medicine are available, gaining in acceptance and evidencing remarkable results. (To locate a nutritionally oriented doctor or alternative practitioner, see section 342. |
Patrick Quillin, PhD,RD,CNS
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| While there are a rich collection of isoflavones, protease inhibitors and lectins in soybeans; researchers have focused on genistein as perhaps the principle cancer-protective bioflavonoid in soy.
Genistein may be able to: 0 selectively kill cancer cells
2Ub
<) reduce the tumor growth capacity of sex hormones in both men and women
(} induce programmed cell death (apoptosis) in cancer v" inhibit metastasis
Q inhibit angiogenesis123 (making of blood vessels from tumors) () induce differentiation to help regulate proper cell growth. |
Gary Null, Ph.D.
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 Soy products, including soy beans, tofu, soy milk, miso, and tempeh, contain a good supply of isoflavones, which have been found to combat tumor growth. Numerous types of beans, including black beans, pinto beans, lentils, lima beans, and chickpeas, are useful in preparing a variety of meals and constitute a good protein source.
In addition to consuming adequate quantities of protein, it is important to drink a minimum of two quarts of purified water daily to promote proper functioning of the kidneys and bowels. |
Ronald L. Hoffman, M.D.
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 This could take the form of PSA monitoring, while the patient modifies his diet to a semivegetarian plan, relying heavily on natural sources of those healthy isoflavones and lycopene, such as soy, beans, and tomatoes, that have been shown to block prostate cancer. (We've mentioned these compounds, both phytonutrients, in chapter 16.) Also available are phytonutrient concentrates, which along with immune-enhancing vitamins might improve the outcome for such a patient.
• I still get my period. Do I need a mammogram? |
Linda B. White, M.D.
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 Typical dosage: 20 to 40 milligrams daily (including 6 to 12 milligrams of genistein, one of the key isoflavones).
þ Indoles. These are the cyst- and tumor-fighting phytochemicals in cabbage-family vegetables. Now available in capsule form, they are new enough that practitioners haven't formed a consensus on dosage. Take them as recommended by your practitioner or by the manufacturer. fluctuations and reducing overall levels of estrogen. Side effects: nausea, weight gain, bloating, increased risk of blood clots. that can be at fault in breast cysts. Typical dosage-. |
Rebecca Wood
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 Most beans are low in fat and are good sources of calcium, potassium, iron, zinc, and several B vitamins, including folate. The isoflavones in beans help prevent cancer and heart disease. In general, beans reduce pitta and kapha. Lentils, however, increase pitta, and soybeans—in excess—increase kapha.
Use From dumplings and dosas (an East Indian fermented pancake) to pasta and pies, for the past 30 years I've cooked with beans or their products daily. Sometimes it seems there aren't enough meals to match the number of delicious legume dishes that entice me. |
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