Phytoestrogen

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Cancer & Natural Medicine: A Textbook of Basic Science and Clinical Research John Boik See book keywords and concepts

PHYTOESTROGENS Phytoestrogens are estrogen-like compounds produced in human intestines by bacterial action on precursors present in a variety of seeds and vegetables. One phytoestrogen, equol, has a low affinity for estrogen receptors, but is produced in high quantity from diets rich in soy foods (Setchell et al., 1984). Equol has a biologic estrogen activity approximately 0.2% that of estradiol. However, by sheer numbers, equol may compete with estrogen receptors, and thus lower the bioavailability of circulating estrogen.

The New Encyclopedia of Vitamins, Minerals, Supplements and Herbs Nicola Reavley See book keywords and concepts

When estrogen levels are low, such as in postmenopausal women, phytoestrogens act estrogenically. phytoestrogen compounds in soy include genistein and daidzein. Evidence from molecular and cellular biology experiments, animal studies, and human clinical trials suggests that phytoestrogens may help to prevent cardiovascular disease, cancer, osteoporosis, and menopausal symptoms. Epidemiological studies suggest that rates of these disorders are lower among populations that eat plant-based diets, particularly among cultures with diets that are traditionally high in soy products.

The New Optimum Nutrition Bible Patrick Holford See book keywords and concepts

It provides a measure of the isoflavone phytoestrogen level in common foods per 100 g, which is roughly per serving. PHYTOESTROGEN CONTENT OF COMMONLY EATEN FOODS Food meg per 100 g Soy flour, full-fat 166,700 Soybeans 142,100 Miso 126,500 Tofu 78,700 Soy cheese 33,000 Vegetarian sausages 26,300 Tofu burger 24,200 Soy milk, plain 11,815 Soy yogurt, plain 11,815 Soy sauce 1,800 Multigrain crispbread 1,187.30 Food meg per 100 g Whole wheat bread 829.80 Bean sprouts 758.20 Rye bread 757.20 Frankfurter sausages 676 Premium sausages 620 Pita bread 320.

The table below is adapted from the phytoestrogen Database 2004, compiled by Dr. Margaret Ritchie, Bute Medical School at the University of St. Andrews (Scotland) and reproduced with her kind permission. It provides a measure of the isoflavone phytoestrogen level in common foods per 100 g, which is roughly per serving.

Unleash the Inner Healing Power of Foods The Editors of FC&A See book keywords and concepts

A specific kind of phytoestrogen, called isoflavones, are found mostly in soy-based foods like soybeans, tofu, miso, and soy nuts. Asian women who eat one type of soy food every day report very few hot flashes and mood swings during menopause. This could mean they're getting some estrogen from their diet. Unfortunately, experts have concerns. Although some research shows soy might help your heart and prevent osteoporosis, other studies suggest it makes your brain age faster. Various health experts think the more soy you eat, the greater your risk of developing senility.

The ABC Clinical Guide to Herbs Mark Blumenthal See book keywords and concepts

Mazur W. phytoestrogen content in foods. In: Adlercreutz H. (ed.). Phytoestrogens. London: Bailliere Tindall; 1998;12(4):729-742. Mazur WM, Rasku S, Salakka A, et al. Lignan and isoflavonoid concentrations in tea and coffee. Br J Nutr 1998;79:37-45. McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A (eds.). American Herbal Products Associations Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press; 1997. McManus R, Jumson J, Finegood D, et al. A comparison of the effects of n-3 fatty acids from linseed oil and fish oil in well-controlled type 1 diabetes. Diabetes Care 1996;19(5):463-7.

Foods that Fight Cancer Richard Beliveau, Ph.D. and Denis Gingras, Ph.D. See book keywords and concepts

We have only to think of the resveratrol in grapes, which can act on all three stages of cancer, or the genistein in soy, which in addition to being a phytoestrogen that weakens the sometimes harmful effects of sex hormones is also a powerful inhibitor of several proteins involved in uncontrolled cancer cell growth.

The Whole Soy Story: The dark side of America's favorite health food Kaayla T. Daniel, PhD, CCN See book keywords and concepts

However, phytoestrogen exposure could program a girl for early breast development, precocious puberty and even estrogen-dependent diseases such as breast, ovarian or uterine cancers.83 85 The soy industry has responded with the suggestion that babies in the womb would only benefit. Coral A. Lamartiniere, Ph.D., of the University of Alabama, Birmingham, has proposed that the key to preventing breast cancer is giving shots of genistein to fetuses in the womb, thus preprograming girls so that they will have "reduced susceptibility to breast cancer" later in life.

Foods that Fight Cancer Richard Beliveau, Ph.D. and Denis Gingras, Ph.D. See book keywords and concepts

Likewise, genistein, the principal active ingredient in these foods, is not only a phytoestrogen but a molecule with the power to prevent the appearance of tumours, primarily by blocking the formation of the new blood vessels that are a tumour's supply lines. In summary • The great differences in the rates of hormone-dependent cancers (breast and prostate cancers) between East and West may be attributable to the consumption, in Asian countries, of soy-based foods, especially if consumption begins before puberty.

Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 4th Edition: A Practical A-to-Z Reference to Drug-Free Remedies Using Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs & Food Supplements Phyllis A. Balch, CNC See book keywords and concepts

Ingredients include ipriflavone, calcium, vitamin D, magnesium, boron, and purified soy phytoestrogen extracts. Breast Health from NaturalMax. This supplement contains the soy isoflavone genistein, black currant blend, freeze-dried broccoli, indole-3-carbinol, the herbs gotu kola and saw palmetto, and lycopene. CamoCare cream from Abkit. This product contains chamomile and other active ingredients. It relieves pain associated with a variety of ailments involving the muscles and joints, such as backache, arthritis, and pain from inflamed joints. Cardiaforce from Bioforce USA.

The Whole Soy Story: The dark side of America's favorite health food Kaayla T. Daniel, PhD, CCN See book keywords and concepts

PTI cited and found that in the first study genistein (the principal soy phytoestrogen) was compared to the synthetic estrogen diethylstil-bestrol (DES), not to estradiol, as was claimed by PTI. DES is 100 times as strong as estradiol. In that soy infant formula is supposed to simulate human milk, the comparison to DES was both irrelevant and dishonest. The second paper by Mark Messina, Ph.D.

Intelligent Medicine: A Guide to Optimizing Health and Preventing Illness for the Baby-Boomer Generation Ronald L. Hoffman, M.D. See book keywords and concepts

There is an over-the-counter phytoestrogen called genistein, which is an isoflavone derived from soy. Phytoestrogens from the soy plant are also used in estrogen creams. They tend to be unstable when taken orally, but work well topically. Some women report having relief from hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms when using black cohosh, a medicinal plant known to Native Americans for years and containing large amounts of phytoestrogens, in conjunction with estrogen cream.12 A herb called Vitex agnus castii, or chasteberry, is sometimes helpful for the same symptoms.

Anti-Aging Manual: The Encyclopedia of Natural Health Joseph E. Mario See book keywords and concepts

Contains phytoestrogen plant hormones having similar effects to Estrogen, increases size and weight, with greater feed efficiency. For chemical balance. Mild diuretic, nervine, stimulant, tonic, deodorizer. Body cleanser, anti-infection, helps any condition, maintaining or regaining health. Has a regeneration effect on human tissues. Good for the pituitary gland regulating growth, for energy, endurance, vitality, anti-fatigue; for the hair. Has an alkaloid for the central nervous system. Balances blood pressure, softens arteries.

Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy: Modern Herbal Medicine Simon Mills and Kerry Bone See book keywords and concepts

Fanti P, Monier-Faugere FC, Geng Z et al. The phytoestrogen genistein reduces bone loss in short-term ovariectomized rats. Osteoporosis International 1998; 8 (3): 274-281. 278. Clarkson TB, Anthony MS, Williams JK et al. The potential of soybean phytoestrogens for postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy. Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine 1998; 217: 365-368. 279. Herman C, Adlercreutz T, Goldin BR et al. Soybean phytoestrogen intake and cancer risk. Journal of Nutrition 1995; 125: 757S-770S. 280. Verma SP, Goldin BR.

Prescription for Natural Cures: A Self-Care Guide for Treating Health Problems with Natural Remedies Including Diet and Nutrition, Nutritional Supplements, Bodywork, and More James F. Balch, M.D. and Mark Stengler, N.D. See book keywords and concepts

Soy Isoflavones Description: phytoestrogen compounds that are extracted from soy, such as daidzein, genistein, and glycitein, are known as soy isoflavones. They are commonly used to reduce menopausal, PMS, and other female hormone-related conditions. They have been shown to help improve bone density, protect against bone loss, and reduce cholesterol levels. Interestingly, men with prostate problems are also helped.

The Whole Soy Story: The dark side of America's favorite health food Kaayla T. Daniel, PhD, CCN See book keywords and concepts

It seems that different people excrete different phytoestrogen metabolites even when the quality and quantity of soy food eaten is tightly controlled. Retests tend to be consistent in individuals. Populations of gut flora are highly individual and seem to play key roles in the metabolism and bioavailability of isoflavones. Antibiotics, dysbiosis or bowel disease also modify isoflavone metabolism.14 Isoflavones have been found in most body fluids—urine, plasma, feces, prostatic fluid, semen, bile, saliva, breast milk, breast aspirate and cyst fluid.

The Truth About Hormone Replacement Therapy: How to Break fee from the Medical Myths of Menopause National Women's Health Network See book keywords and concepts

In a mouse model with a damaged immune system, phytoestrogen implants caused estrogen-receptor-positive (but not estrogen-receptor-negative) breast cancer implants to grow.20 It's not clear that this is a good model for predicting results in humans, but it is what we have. Although few data are available, we believe that supplementing your diet with beans, whole grains, and flaxseed and other foods containing phytoestrogens is safe. We see no need for postmenopausal women with breast cancer to actively avoid phytoestrogens.

Foods that Fight Cancer Richard Beliveau, Ph.D. and Denis Gingras, Ph.D. See book keywords and concepts

Genistein, for example, a molecule found in large amounts in soy (Chapter 8), structurally resembles estradiol, a female sex hormone from the estrogen family; it is known as "phytoestrogen" for this reason (Figure 12). Because of this resemblance, genistein acts as a trap for the protein, which normally recognizes the estradiol; the genistein molecule can occupy the place usually taken by the hormone, reducing in this way the impact of the biological effects caused by the estradiol, including excessive growth of tissues sensitive to this hormone, such as those of the breast.

The Whole Soy Story: The dark side of America's favorite health food Kaayla T. Daniel, PhD, CCN See book keywords and concepts

The problems are not unique to sheep; fertility problems from phytoestrogen exposure have also been reported in birds, cows, mice, cats and dogs as well as in humans.214 Scientists have identified estrogenic activity in more than 300 plants,15 but only one of these plants commonly appears in the food supply—soy. FAST TRACK TO EXTINCTION The best known case concerns the cheetahs at the Cincinnati Zoo. In the 1980s, Kenneth D. R. Setchell, Ph.D., discovered one reason the big cats were not reproducing.

The Natural Medicine Guide to the 50 Most Common Medicinal Herbs Heather Boon, BScPhm, PhD and Michael Smith, BPharm, MRPharmS, ND See book keywords and concepts

Another randomized, placebo-controlled trial (n=49) found that a phytoestrogen combination containing 60 mg soy isoflavones, 100 mg dong quai and 50 mg black cohosh significantly decreased the frequency of menstrual migraine attacks as well as significantly decreasing the frequency of all migraines, headache severity, doses of triptans and doses of analgesics compared to the placebo group when ingested for 24 weeks.24 The clinical contributions of the black cohosh in this product cannot be determined from this study.

Disease Prevention and Treatment The Life Extension Editorial Staff See book keywords and concepts

Fanti found that the mechanism of action of genistein (the most abundant soy phytoestrogen) appears to diffet from that of estrogens. The protective action of genistein seems to depend on stimulation of bone formation rathet than estrogen's effect of regulating bone resorption (Fanti et al. 1998). A 6-month study of 66 postmenopausal women was conducted at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to investigate bone density and bone mineral content in response to soy therapy.

The New Optimum Nutrition Bible Patrick Holford See book keywords and concepts

Genistein: Abundant in soybeans, this substance, a type of phytoestrogen (see below), prevents breast, prostate, and other lumps from growing and spreading. Research is beginning to focus on two isoflavonoids—genistein and daidzein. Japanese women, who generally have a lower risk of breast cancer than women in other industrialized societies, have been found to have higher levels of these in their bodies. They may protect against the harmful effects of unopposed estrogen.

For a complete list of the phytoestrogen content of different foods, please see my website, www.patrickholford.com. Phytosterols: The term phytosterols covers plant sterols and plant stands. These are naturally occurring substances present in the diet, principally in vegetable oils, and are effective in lowering plasma total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. They do this by inhibiting the absorption of cholesterol from the small intestine. In order to achieve a cholesterol-lowering benefit, approximately 1 gram a day of plant sterols or plant stanols needs to be consumed.

The Constituents of Medicinal Plants: An Introduction to the Chemistry and Therapeutics of Herbal Medicine Andrew Pengelly See book keywords and concepts

Vazquez, E 2002, 'Efficacy and safety of a phytoestrogen preparation derived from Glycine max (L.) in climacteric symptomatology', Pbytomedicine 9: 85-92. Bisset, N. G., Houghton, P. J. and Hylands, P. J. 1991, 'Flavonoids as anti-inflammatory plants', in R. Wijesekera (ed.), The Medicinal Plant Industry, CRC Press, Boca Raton. Blake, O. 1993/94, 'The tannin content of herbal teas', British Journal of Phytotherapy 3: 124-127. Bombardelli, E. and Morazzoni, P. 1995, 'Vitis vinifera L.', Fitoterapia LXVI: 291-317. Bone, K. 1995, 'Oestrogen modulation', The Modern Phytotherapist 1:8-10.

Eat and Heal (Foods That Can Prevent or Cure Many Common Ailments) the Editors of FC&A Medical Publishing See book keywords and concepts

The isoflavones in soy are a type of phytoestrogen or plant estrogen, which mimics the estrogen produced naturally in your body. Brain cells have receptors that link up with estrogen to help maintain brain function, and White believes phytoestrogens may compete with the body's natural estrogens for these receptors. Many think soy's isoflavones interfere with enzymes and amino acids in the brain. One of soy's main isoflavones, genistein, limits the enzyme tyrosine kinase in the hippocampus — the brain's memory center.

Unleash the Inner Healing Power of Foods The Editors of FC&A See book keywords and concepts

Flaxseeds may be small, but they are the richest source of lig-nans you can get. And that's not all. Flaxseeds are an intense source of fiber. A single If you're pregnant, takcan contain as much as ing prescription drugs indigestion from adding too much fiber at once. Instead, just add more flaxseed gradually until you can comfortably eat two tablespoons of flaxseed each day. Crunch is the key to getting the anti-cancer power of flaxseed. If you swallow flaxseeds whole, your body won't absorb them. They just slip right through your system without doing much good.

Prevention's Healing With Vitamins : The Most Effective Vitamin and Mineral Treatments for Everyday Health Problems and Serious Disease The Editors of Prevention Magazine Health Books See book keywords and concepts

While the phytoestrogen content of soy foods varies considerably from brand to brand, one or two servings of tofu, soybeans or soy milk a day is equivalent to the usual intake of the Asian population. It also contains approximately 35 milligrams of phytoestrogens, a reasonable goal to shoot for, says Dr. Woods. Japanese women eat from 2'/2 to 3Vi ounces of tofu per day, says Dr. Woods. "If you are having hot flashes and night sweats and don't want to take hormones, I certainly think it would be worthwhile to try it. It can't hurt," says Dr. Woods.

Prescription for Herbal Healing: An Easy-to-Use A-Z Reference to Hundreds of Common Disorders and Their Herbal Remedies Phyllis A. Balch, CNC See book keywords and concepts

This phytoestrogen can be detected in beer, but the levels in beer are low and should not pose any cause for concern, although the phytoestrogens in hops can cause fat to be deposited into the classic "beer-belly" pattern. Dieters seeking to reduce the waistline should avoid both beer and medicinal application of hops. Chronic consumption of hops may increase the potency of anesthetics used in surgery.

Foods That Fight Disease: A Simple Guide to Using and Understanding Phytonutrients to Protect and Enhance Your Health Laurie Deutsch Mozian, M.S., R.D. See book keywords and concepts

Estrogen and phytoestrogen both bind to the cell on estrogen receptors, which are located on the outside of the estrogen-sensitive cell. Phytoestrogens can work in two ways, depending upon the estrogen status of the woman. In the premenopausal woman, they can compete with the body's own estrogen for attachment to the estrogen receptors, thus diminishing the amount of genuine estrogen that enters the cell. In the postmenopausal woman, they can serve as a source of estrogen and bind to estrogen receptors, thus enhancing the effects of estrogen.

Medical Herbalism: The Science Principles and Practices Of Herbal Medicine David Hoffman, FNIMH, AHG See book keywords and concepts

In addition, flaxseed oil contains secoisolariciresinol diglyco-side, a type of phytoestrogen known as a lignan, in varying amounts. Flaxseed oil may have anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, and antiproliferative activities.9 Chaulmoogric acid Chaulmoogric acid, or (5)-13-(cyclopent-2-enyl) tride-canoic acid, is present in amounts of about 27% as the glyceride ester in chaulmoogra oil, extracted from seeds of Hydnocarpus wightiana. The ethyl ester has been used in the treatment of leprosy.10 Fig. 5.3.

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