| As discussed in chapter 9, it is an effective phytoestrogen.
Table 7.9. Plants Containing Daidzein
PLANT
PLANT PART
Genista tinctoria (dyer's broom)
Shoot
Glycine max (soy)
Seed
Phaseolus coccineus (scarlet runner bean)
Whole plant
Psoralea corylifolia (babchi)
Root
Pueraria lobata, P. phaseoloides (kudzu)
Root
Trifolium pratense (red clover)
Flower
Ulex europaeus (gorse)
Aerial parts
Genistein
This isoflavone occurs in clover (Trifolium spp.), soy (Glycine max), and many other Fabaceae plants, as well as in the wood of Prunus species.57
Table 7.10. |
| Soybean phytoestrogen intake and cancer risk. The Journal of Nutrition 1995 Mar; 125(3 Suppl):757S-70S.
40. Barnes S. Effect of genistein on in vitro and in vivo models of cancer. The Journal of Nutrition 1995 Mar; 125(3 Suppl):777S-83S.
41. Molteni A, Brizio-Molteni L, Persky V. In vitro hormonal effects of soybean isoflavones. The Journal of Nutrition 1995 Mar; 125(3 Suppl):751S-56S.
42. Bingel AS, Farnsworth N. Higher plants as potential sources of Galactagogues. In: Economic and Medicinal Plant Research, vol. 6. San Diego: Academic Press, 1995.
43. Elliot T. |
| Soybean phytoestrogen intake and cancer risk. The Journal of Nutrition 1995 Mar; 125(3 suppl):757S-70S.
22. Kitts DD. Studies on the estrogenic activity of a coffee extract. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health 1987; 20(l-2):37-49.
23. Miksicek RJ. Estrogenic flavonoids: structural requirements for biological activity. Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine 1995 Jan; 208(l):44-50.
24. Miksicek RJ. Interaction of naturally occurring nonsteroidal estrogens with expressed recombinant human estrogen receptor. |
| The effect of prenatal exposure to the phytoestrogen genistein on sexual differentiation in rats. Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine 1995 Jan; 208(l):60-6.
37. Miksicek RJ. Interaction of naturally occurring nonsteroidal estrogens with expressed recombinant human estrogen receptor. The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 1994 Jun; 49(2-3): 15 3-60.
38. Adlercreutz H, Hockerstedt K, Bannwart C, et al. |
Janet Zand, LAc, OMD, Allan N. Spreed, MD, CNC, James B. LaValle, RPh, ND
See book keywords and concepts |
 Genistein is a phytoestrogen derived from soybeans or red clover. Plant estrogens have much milder effects than human estrogens do. However, it has been observed that Japanese women, who eat a lot of soy foods, have relatively high levels of phytoestrogens in their blood, and also have fewer menopausal symptoms than their Western counterparts. If you find it difficult to increase your intake of soy foods, consider taking 250 milligrams of soy iso-flavones three times a day.
¦ The amino acid glutamine helps to improve mental clarity and lift depression. |
Steven G. Pratt, M.D. and Kathy Matthews
See book keywords and concepts |
 This seems to be due to the fact that some of the flavonoids in tea have phytoestrogen activity, which benefits bone health. Moreover, some tea extracts seem to inhibit bone resorption.
One recent study found that oolong tea is successful in treating atopic dermatitis; this is no doubt due in part to the anti-allergic properties of tea. This benefit was noticed after one or two weeks of drinking tea. In this study, a 'A-ounce tea bag that steeped for five minutes in just over four cups of boiling water was consumed in three parts, one with each meal. |
Dr. Michael Heinrich, Joanne Barnes, Simon Gibbons and Elizabeth M. Williamson
See book keywords and concepts |
 The main chemical types of phytoestrogen are the isoflavones, coumestans and lignans, and some species of palm even contain similar hormones (e.g. estriol) to those found in the human body. The common occurrence of these substances has implications for men as well as for women, in that the incidence of benign prostatic hyperplasia is lower in men, and menopausal symptoms in women, in societies consuming significant amounts of foods containing these substances in their normal diet. |
Mark Blumenthal
See book keywords and concepts |
 Activity and isolated phytoestrogen of shrub palmetto fruits {Serenoa repens Small), a new estrogenic plant. Experientia 1969; 25:828-9.
Epstein J, Partin A, Simon I, et al. Prostate tissue effects of saw palmetto extract in men with symptomatic BPH. Am Urol Assoc Ann Meeting 1999;May.
Foster S, Tyler VE. Tylers Honest Herbal: A Sensible Guide to the Use of Herbs and Related Remedies, 4th ed. NewYork: The Haworth Herbal Press; 1999;343-5, 415.
Gerber G. Saw palmetto for the treatment of men with lower urinary tract symptoms. / Urol2000 May;163:l408-12.
Gerber G. Zagaja G, Bales G, et al. |
volker schulz and Rudolf Hansel
See book keywords and concepts |
 Davis SR (2001) phytoestrogen therapy for menopausal symptoms? There's no good evidence that it's better than placebo. BMJ 323: 354-5. Diiker EM, Kopanski L, Jarry H, Wuttke W (1991) Effects of extracts from cimicifuga racemosa on gonadotropin release in menopausal women and ovariectomized rats. Planta Med 57:
420-424.
Fenselau C, Talalay P (1973) Is estrogenic activity in hops? Fd Cosmet Toxicol 11: 597-603. Foster S (1999) Black cohosh: a literature review. HerbalGram 45: 35-49. |
National Women's Health Network
See book keywords and concepts |
 In any case, here's what we know so far: In a laboratory study of cultured breast cancer cells, both estradiol and a phytoestrogen stimulated cell growth. When they were added together, however, little to no growth stimulation occurred. 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. |
| In laboratory tests, the phytoestrogen genistein seems to suppress the growth of many types of cancer cells.13
Studies of breast cancer in animals, however, show mixed results.14 Several epidemiological studies show a protective effect of soy consumption on breast cancer risk, but the results are not entirely consistent. Studies of different human populations show that groups that consume a lot of phytoestrogens have a lower rate of breast cancer, but this protective effect may be strongest in premenopausal women. |
Heather Boon, BScPhm, PhD and Michael Smith, BPharm, MRPharmS, ND
See book keywords and concepts |
 A 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.17 The clinical contributions of the dong quai in this product cannot be determined from this study. |
John Robbins
See book keywords and concepts |
 Soy products are often prescribed and consumed for their phytoestrogen content, but according to the company's tests, the genetically altered soybeans have lower levels of phenylalanine, an essential amino acid that affects levels of phytoestrogens. And levels of lectins, which not infrequently are allergens, are nearly double in the transgenic variety.26
What might be expected from consuming soybeans containing higher levels of trypsin inhibitor and lectins? At the very least, slower growth in children. And possibly, unexpected and even dangerous allergic reactions.
Dr. |
Josef A. Brinckmann and Michael P. Lindenmaier
See book keywords and concepts |
 HO
Xanthohumol
2-Methyl-3-butene-2-ol and 8-prenylnaringenin, a potent phytoestrogen, have also been detected [10, 11].
Indications: As a sedative, especially in extract form taken in combination with other sedative herbs for resdessness, hy-perirritability, nervous insomnia, and states of stress. The efficacy of hop strobile and extracts thereof as a sedative has been clinically proven [6], though no specific, distincdy sedative active constituent could be identified (methylbutenol, which has shown sedative activity in animal experiments [4], occurs only in low concentrations). |
Jeffrey M. Smith
See book keywords and concepts |
 The team discovered that compared to natural soy, the Roundup Ready varieties consistently had 12 to 14 percent fewer isofiavones—a type of phytoestrogen. In particular, the reductions were seen in the most biologically active isofiavones genistin and daidzin, both studied by the National Cancer Institutes and, according to Bailey, identified by nutritionists as being protective against heart disease, breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, and postmenopausal bone loss and osteoporosis.
Lappe and Bailey's discovery had serious implications. |
| Lappe and Bailey found this defense quite interesting, since they merely stated in the Coast article that no studies have been published examining the possible alterations in phytoestrogen levels. But the attorney's fervent defense of the issue tipped them off that there may be a problem, and they decided to investigate.
They examined Roundup Ready seeds and natural ones, careful to use isogenic varieties—meaning the two had the same parents, so to speak, the only difference being that the genetically modified variety also had Roundup Ready genes. |
| The reduced phytoestrogen levels that Lappe and Bailey found demonstrate a recurring problem with GM foods. Genetic engineering creates unpredictable changes; the composition of a GM food might be quite different from its natural counterpart.
Critics point out that the composition of Roundup Ready soybeans are significantiy different from natural beans. In Monsanto's own study, the levels of ash, fat, carbohydrates, and trypsin inhibitor, a potential allergen, were all different. An investigator later discovered additional data had been omitted from the paper. |
James A. Duke, Ph.D.
See book keywords and concepts |
 Herbalists believe that phytoestrogens help minimize menstrual cramps by bringing the body's hormone levels into better balance.
One phytoestrogen in red clover is the compound formononetin. Although "clover disease" has been known to cause infertility in sheep that graze on it, you won't get enough clover to be even remotely concerned about this effect. Have red clover in tea, and it just might relieve cramping problems.
VV Squaw vine (Mitchella repens). Cherokee women routinely took squaw vine for "period pains," according to Daniel Moerman, Ph.D. |
Jeffrey M. Smith
See book keywords and concepts |
| The article claimed that phytoestrogen levels normally vary widely and that the decreased amount was not significant. Levels vary, they said, due to differences in climate, temperature, soil, and type of soybean. They failed to address the fact, however, that Lappe and Bailey used the same soybean variety grown under identical conditions.
To support their case, Monsanto produced a study of their own and published it in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry in November 1999. |
The Life Extension Editorial Staff
See book keywords and concepts |
 Their final words are the following: "Genistein inhibition of the EGF signaling pathway suggests that this phytoestrogen may be useful in both protecting against and treating prostate cancer" (Dalu et al. 1998).
Soy isoflavones clearly work against prostate cancer. They work through several mechanisms, including modulating hormones, blocking metastasis, interfering with cell signaling, stopping the growth of cells and killing them, and possibly activating and deactivating cancer-related genes. |
| For example, some soy isoflavones (a type of phytoestrogen) benefit bone but do not affect the kidney. In drug lingo, this is called a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM). A compound in soy, genistein, is a natural SERM. Tamoxifen and Ralox-ifen are chemical SERMs (Setchell et al. 1999).
The latest science available suggests that the reason that different estrogens have different effects on different tissues is because there is more than one type of estrogen receptot. So far, three variations on the estrogen receptor have been found: alpha and two betas. |
Stephen T., M.D. Sinatra
See book keywords and concepts |
 Not only do soy products protect the circulatory system, but the phytoestrogen effect of genistin found in soybeans protects against the bone loss that leads to osteoporosis. For men, these phytoestrogens are especially important in reducing the incidence of prostate cancer. It is noteworthy that Japanese men, whose diet is low in fat and high in soy products, have a low incidence of prostate cancer.
Another nutrient associated with the prevention of prostate cancer is lycopene. Lycopene is a protective carotenoid responsible for the red color in tomatoes. |
Gale Maleskey
See book keywords and concepts |
 The most well researched phytoestrogen is soy, but there are also two widely used estrogen-mimicking herbs: black cohosh, and licorice.
Phytoestrogens are weaker than the body's own form of estrogen. Nevertheless, they are often powerful enough to provide some relief from hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and depression, says Willow Moore, D.C., N.D., a chiropractor and naturopathic doctor in Owings Mills, Maryland.
Getting Your Balance
Plant estrogens have a balancing effect on your body's hormones, says Dr. Aesoph. |
The Life Extension Editorial Staff
See book keywords and concepts |
| Resveratrol (3,4',5-trihydroxystilbene) is a phytoestrogen (plant-based estrogen) found in the skins of most grapes. Its neuroprotective effects are attributed to its antioxidant, vasodilating, and antiplatelet aggregating actions. An article in Life Sciences described a study of resveratrol and infarct size. A middle cerebral artery occlusion was induced in rats 15 minutes after pre-treatment with resveratrol. Resveratrol significantly reduced the total infarction volume (Huang et al. 2001b). Supplemental grape seed-skin extract is a good source of resveratrol. |
Tanya Harter Pierce
See book keywords and concepts |
 Virtually all plants, including vegetables, fruits, seeds, legumes, and grains, have some form of phytoestrogen in them. Flavanones are primarily concentrated in citrus fruits, lignans are found in all fruits, vegetables, and cereals, and the stronger isoflavones and coumestans are mostly found in legumes.
Because of so much processed food in our diets, Americans generally don't eat as many "whole" foods as people in other countries do. |
Heather Boon, BScPhm, PhD and Michael Smith, BPharm, MRPharmS, ND
See book keywords and concepts |
| Licorice is considered a "phytoestrogen," that is, the steroid-like configuration of several of the components of licorice, including the isoflavones and glycyrrhetinic acid, have the ability to influence estrogen metabolism. Generally, if estrogen levels are high, these constituents inhibit estrogen action by binding to the estrogen receptors and blocking the binding of endogenous estrogen. However, if estrogen levels are low, they appear to potentiate the action of estrogen. For this reason it is often referred to as being "amphoteric" (partial agonist) in nature. |
The Life Extension Editorial Staff
See book keywords and concepts |
| For this reason, some researchers have reportedly objected to the term "phytoestrogen."
The anticancer effects of soy on breast cancer cells have been proven in dozens of studies. However, some researchers have reported that they can make the soy compound genistein act estrogenic in estrogen receptor positive cancer cells known as MCF-7 (Wang et al. 1997). The conditions that must be present for genistein to make this type of cell grow are highly abnormal. Only a minute amount of genistein can be added to the cells; any more and growth will be impeded, not promoted. |
| An ideal multi-ingredient phytoestrogen supplement should contain concentrated pharmaceutical extracts. If the active ingredients are not standardized, one cannot expect to obtain consistent biological activity.
Several natural hormone replacement formulas are available. A product called Natural Estrogen has been formulated to provide the hormone-modulating effects that can be obtained from plant sources. |
James A. Duke, Ph.D.
See book keywords and concepts |
| As beans germinate, their genistein content (and the total phytoestrogen content) increases. And if the sprouts have fungi (as many homegrown sprouts do), the genistein content may increase as much as a hundredfold.
Pinto beans have almost as much genistein and daidzein as soybeans. Also, consider that some beans that don't have as much daidzein as soybeans have quite a bit more genistein. These include yellow split peas, black turtle beans, lima beans, anasazi beans, red kidney beans and red lentils. Also quite high in genistein are black-eyed peas, mung beans, adzuki beans and fava beans. |
Prevention Magazine
See book keywords and concepts |
 A laboratory study found, for example, that animals given small amounts of genistein (a phytoestrogen found in soy) were able to maintain healthy, calcium-filled bones even when they were no longer producing estrogen.
Holding on to calcium is important because many women don't get anywhere near enough of this important mineral. On average, women ages 20 to 50 get about 600 milligrams a day, and women past menopause get only about 500 milligrams a day. |
Email this page to a friend
