Schuyler W. Lininger, Jr. DC
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 Contrary to the opinion of several authors, dong quai does not qualify as a phytoestrogen or have any hormonelike actions in the body. This is supported by a double-blind study showing that dong quai capsules did not help women with menopausal symptoms.2 A large part of its actions with regard to premenstrual syndrome (p. 141) may be related to its antispasmodic actions, particularly on smooth muscles.3 Human research published in English is lacking to support any of the traditional uses of dong quai, though Chinese studies suggest it is beneficial for painful menses and infertility (p. 102). |
Earl Mindell
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 It may also help reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol, improve circulation, alleviate discomfort caused by menopause by increasing estrogen levels (it is a rich source of phytoestrogen), inhibit the growth of cancerous tumors, normalize blood pressure, and help cure colds. Purported to be an aphrodisiac for centuries, many women say that it does enhance their sexual desire. Because of its stimulating effect, men may find it improves their sexual performance as well.
The big nutritional plus for ginseng is that it helps you assimilate vitamins and minerals by acting as an endocrine-gland stimulant. |
Sheldon Saul Hendler and David Rorvik
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 It is also classified as a phytoestrogen since it is a plant-derived nonsteroidal compound that possesses estrogen-like biological activity. Biochanin A has been found to have weak estrogenic activity.
Biochanin A is found in certain legumes, most notably red clover or Trifolium pratense. Red clover contains, in addition to biochanin A, the isoflavones genistein, daidzein and formononetin (methoxy daidzein). These isoflavones are present in red clover in the form of glycosides. |
| It is also classified as a phytoestrogen since it is a plant-derived nonsteroidal compound that possesses estrogen-like biological activity. Daidzein has been found to have both weak estrogenic and weak anti-estrogenic effects.
Daidzein is the aglycone (aglucon) of daidzin. The isoflavone is found naturally as the glycoside daidzin and as the glycosides 6"-0-malonylgenistin and 6"-0-acetyldaidzin. Daidzein and its glycosides are mainly found in legumes, such as soybeans and chickpeas. Soybeans and soy foods are the major dietary sources of these substances. |
| It is also classified as a phytoestrogen since it is a plant-derived nonsteroidal compound that possesses estrogen-like biological activity. Glycitein has been found to have weak estrogenic activity.
Glycitein is the aglycone of glycitin. The isoflavone is found naturally as the glycoside (glucoside) glycitin and as the glycosides 6"-0-malonylglycitin and 6"-0-acetylglycitin. Glycitein and its glycosides are mainly found in legumes, such as soybeans and chickpeas. Soybeans and soy foods are the major dietary sources of these substances. |
| Although ipriflavone is sometimes classified as a phytoestrogen, it has no direct estrogenic activity. Ipriflavone does not activate any of the estrogen receptors. It does appear to have a favorable impact on bone density, and ipriflavone has been approved for the treatment of involutional osteoporosis in some European countries and in Japan.
The structural formula of ipriflavone is:
H,C
Ipriflavone
Ipriflavone is also known as 7-isopropoxy-3-phenyl-4H-l-benzopyran-4-one; 7-( 1 -methylethoxy)-3-phenyl-4H-1 -ben-zopyran-4-one; 7-isopropoxy-3-phenylchromone and 7-isopropoxyisoflavone. |
Simon Mills and Kerry Bone
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 Soybean phytoestrogen intake and cancer risk. Journal of Nutrition 1995; 125: 757S-770S.
280. Verma SP, Goldin BR. Effect of soy-derived isoflavonoids on the induced growth of MCF-7 cells by estrogenic environmental chemicals. Nutrition and Cancer 1998; 30 (3): 232-239.
281. Hsieh CY, Santell RC, Haslam SZ et al. Estrogenic effects of genistein on the growth of estrogen receptor-positive human breast cancer (MCF-7) cells in vitro and in vivo. Cancer Research 1998; 58 (17): 3833-3838.
282. Onozawa M, Fukuda K, Ohtani M et al. |
Sheldon Saul Hendler and David Rorvik
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| The synthetic phytoestrogen, ipriflavone, and estrogen prevent bone loss by different mechanisms. Calcif Tissue Int. 2000; 66:61-65.
Ferene L, Istvan S. Pharmacokinetics of ipriflavone. Acta Pharm Hung. 1995; 66:219-222.
Gennari C, Agnusdei D, Crepaldi G, et al. Effect of ipriflavone-a synthetic derivative of natural isoflavones-on bone mass loss in the early years after menopause. Menopause. 1998; 5:9-15.
Hagiwara H, Naruse M, Adachi C, et al. Ipriflavone down-regulates endothelin receptor levels during differentiation of rat calvarial osteoblast-like cells. J Biochem. 1999; 126:168-173. |
Textbook of Natural Medicine 2nd Edition Volume 1Michael T. Murray, ND
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| The phytoestrogen, coumestrol, was found to have an estrogenic effect, as demonstrated by changes in uterine and brain tissue, when given to prepubescent rats; however, when given to adult female rats, ovarian cycling was inhibited. When given for 10 days to neonatal rats, there was no effect on estrous cycling, but when given for 21 days, it interfered with normal cycling once the rats reached adulthood. The females exhibited persistent estrous and lack of an LH surge, while the males demonstrated a decrease in sexual behavior. |
National Women's Health Network
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 For example:
• A case-control study that compared food choices of 200 Chinese women in Singapore who had breast cancer with 420 matched controls found that soy product intake had a protective effect in omen should be wary of phytoestrogen supplements proliferating on drugstore shelves, because they may have very different efects than adding tofu to meals. premenopausal women but no effect on postmenopausal women.15
• Another case-control study of premenopausal and postmenopausal women in China did not find a protective effect in either group. |
| The recently identified fukinolic acid may be a new phytoestrogen. There are no available data indicating which compounds in black cohosh are responsible for its beneficial effects.
Recommendation There is no published study in which black cohosh has been taken for longer than six months. This concerns us, because women using this product for hot flashes or as "natural" hormone replacement therapy may take it for years. |
Textbook of Natural Medicine 2nd Edition Volume 2Michael T. Murray, ND
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| Botanical medicines
Although a wide variety of herbs have been used in folk medicine for the many disorders of menstruation, and many have been evaluated for their "phytoestrogen" effects, few have been specifically evaluated for their efficacy in relieving premenstrual symptoms. The herbs which are most likely to be useful are probably those which exhibit a tonic effect on the female glandular system. |
John Boik
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 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
15.5 SUMMARY
15.1 DMSO
Dimcthy 1 sulfoxide (DMSO) was initially discovered by the Russian scientist Dr. |
Janet Zand, LAc, OMD, Allan N. Spreed, MD, CNC, James B. LaValle, RPh, ND
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 It helps to minimize menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, nervousness, insomnia, and anxiety by providing an available form of phytoestrogen (plant estrogen). Take 200 milligrams of standardized extract daily. You should not take it if you are experiencing heavy menstrual bleeding, however.
¦ Ginkgo biloba enhances circulation and mental clarity. Choose a standardized extract containing at least 24 percent ginkgo heterosides (sometimes called flavoglyco-sides) and take 40 milligrams three times daily.
¦ Kava kava helps to relieve anxiety and promotes sound sleep. |
Textbook of Natural Medicine 2nd Edition Volume 1Michael T. Murray, ND
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| Urinary isoflavonoid phytoestrogen and lignan excretion after consumption of fermented and unfermented soy products. J Am Diet Assoc 1995; 95: 545-551
10. Morton MS, Wilcox G, Wahlqvist ML, Griffiths K. Determination of lignans and isoflavonoids in human female plasma following dietary supplementation. J Endocrinol 1994; 142: 251-259
11. Fukutake M, Takahashi M, Ishida K et al. Quantification of genistein and genistin in soybeans and soybean products. Food Chem Toxicol 1996; 34: 457-461
12. Anthony MS, Clarkson TB, Hughes CL et al. |
National Women's Health Network
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| In a study of postmenopausal women, phytoestrogen supplementation markedly increased sex-hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). High levels of SHBG are associated with lower breast cancer risk.18
Finally, one rather peculiar epidemiological study found a protective effect of miso (fermented soy paste) on breast cancer in a Japanese population living in Hawaii.19 The major problem with that study is that it calculated the dietary intake of husbands as a surrogate for their spouses. It is usually true that couples who eat together have similar diets. |
Gary Null, Ph.D.
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 Along with daidsein, genistein is a phytoestrogen from legumes that has antioxidant, anti-"bad" estrogen, and antitumor properties.
•Herbs...Herbs can help the immune system in three ways. They can stimulate immune defense reactions, suppress immune overreaction, and stimulate specific functions for short periods of time. The following herbs have multiple benefits, and are particularly noteworthy for their anticancer properties:
•Aloe Vera...Aloe vera is antiseptic, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory. |
| These are forms of phytoestrogen obtained from soybeans and other legumes that can help correct hormonal imbalances by joining in the competition for estrogen receptor sites. When the isoflavones occupy these receptor sites, inactive estrogen is displaced and eventually eliminated by the liver and colon. Organic sources of isoflavones, which include soybeans, peanuts, lentils, green peas, split peas, and beans, have demonstrated their equality to prescription hormonal supplements without the adverse side effects. |
Judith Wills
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 There are two main types of phytoestrogen, isoflavones and lignans. Isoflavones are found in legumes, particularly soybeans, and several trials have shown a link between low incidence of breast cancer development and high soy intake. The particular isoflavone equol appears to confer the most benefit.
Soy isoflavones also appear to reduce hot flashes and night sweats in menopausal women.
Lignans are found in various plant foods, especially flax seeds, whole grains, and berries. The lignan enterolactone in this case appears to be the most potent form in helping to prevent breast cancer. |
Textbook of Natural Medicine 2nd Edition Volume 1Michael T. Murray, ND
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| Hormonal effects
Infants
Recent advances in understanding the phytoestrogen content of soy foods have led researchers to examine the isoflavone content in commonly consumed infant formulas. A recent study examined the isoflavone content of 25 randomly selected samples from five major brands of soy-based infant formulas. There were significant levels of isoflavones, particularly in the form of the glycosides of genistein and daidzein, in all samples tested. |
Linda B. White, M.D.
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 Uses: Folk remedy for blood purification, bronchitis, whooping cough, asthma, skin conditions, and cancer,- also a rich source of phytoestrogen isoflavones, which may help prevent cancer.
Caution: Avoid during pregnancy unless monitored by a qualified health-care practitioner.
Red Raspberry (Rvbus idaevs)
Source: Grows throughout Eurasia and North America,- most of the commercial supply comes from Europe.
Part used: Leaf.
Forms available: Teas, capsules, tablets, tinctures. Uses: Popular as a folk remedy for painful and profuse menstruation and as a tonic during pregnancy. |
Textbook of Natural Medicine 2nd Edition Volume 1Michael T. Murray, ND
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| Reinli K, Block G. phytoestrogen content of foods - a compendium of literature values. Nutr Cancer 1996; 26: 123-148
29. Elias R, De Meo M, Vidal-Ollivier E et al. Antimutagenic activity of some saponins isolated from Calendula officinalis L., C. arvensis L. and Hedera helix L. Mutagenesis 1990; 5: 327-331
30. Nakashima H, Okubo K, Honda Y et al. Inhibitory effect of glycosides like saponin from soybean on the infectivity of HIV in vitro. AIDS 1989; 3: 655-658
31. Graf E, Eaton JW. Dietary suppression of colonic cancer. Fiber or phytate? Cancer 1985; 56: 717-718
32. |
| Other potential health benefits of soy include prevention of osteoporosis, via the phytoestrogen effects of isoflavones, and prevention of neovascularization in ocular conditions, via inhibition of angiogenesis. |
Susun S. Weed
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 Herbal poultices are made of chewed fresh herbs, cooked fresh or dried herbs; herbal oils, ointments, and tinctures; or powdered herbs, primary cancer: first cancerous mass. |
James A. Duke, Ph.D.
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 Genistein may help prevent wet macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, both of which result from abnormal blood vessel growth in the eyes. So if you want to safeguard your vision, eating a bowl of bean soup a few times a week might help.
Glaucoma: Catch This Vision Villain Early
Cataracts and macular degeneration aren't the only diseases to threaten aging eyes. Glaucoma affects some three million older Americans, though half of them don't even know they have it. |
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