John Robbins
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 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. |
the Editors of FC&A Medical Publishing
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 It may be the amount of fiber, antioxidants, or phytoestrogens in whole grains that do the trick. Or perhaps it's the way unprocessed grains help regulate your body's glucose levels. In any event, bulgur battles digestive system cancers, like colon cancer, and hormone-related cancers, such as breast and prostate cancer.
Remember, though, refining foods destroys many of the healthy components. Whenever possible, you should choose whole grains that are unprocessed.
Holds up heart disease. In most Middle Eastern or Asian countries people get plenty of whole grains. |
D. Lindsey Berkson
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 One benefit of phytoestrogens is they can protect us from excessive estrogenic estrogen. They do this by stimulating the liver to produce the hormone-binding proteins (shbg) in our blood that prevent too much estrogen and some estrogenic substances from attaching to receptor sites. On the other hand, according to Dr. Herman Adlercreutz at the University of Helsinki, the typical Western high-fat diet may lower the production of these hormone-binding proteins. |
| Thirty percent of the women had detectable levels of pcbs, ddt, and lindane as well as estrogenic compounds, such as phytoestrogens from foods. Dr. Larry Needham said the degree of concentration of in utero exposure is sufficient to be a cause for concern. Future studies will look at thirty-five other compounds in amniotic fluid.
A Free Ride
During critical times such as pregnancy, a mother's body has extremely high levels of estrogen. Fortunately, 99 percent of the estrogen a pregnant woman makes is attached to sex hormone-binding globulin (shbg). |
Earl Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D.
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 Sprouted soy concentrate is a particularly potent source of these important phytoestrogens.
Possible Benefits
May prevent breast, prostate, and possibly other cancers. Lowers elevated cholesterol and triglycerides. May relieve symptoms of menopause.
The Right Amount
Drink one soy protein shake daily. Make sure it contains genistein and diadzein.
Take two tablets daily. Be sure the soy concentrate supplement contains genistein and daidzein. (The usual dose is 10 mg. of genistein and daidzein, along with other isoflavones. |
Neal Barnard, M.D.
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 As we saw earlier, soy products contain natural compounds called phytoestrogens, which can mute the effects of normal estrogens and may be part of the reason why Japanese women have low cancer rates.34
Holding alcohol at arm's length can help, too. Even one drink a day can increase breast cancer risk by up to 50 percent compared to non-drinkers.35 As we saw earlier in this chapter, estrogen supplements raise cancer risk, and that is true both for birth control pills36 and estrogen treatments used after menopause. Avoiding obesity helps protect against breast cancer after menopause. |
| If the Venice Beach hot dogs were replaced with the soy hot dogs that are now sold at health food stores, they not only would have less than half the fat, they would also have estrogen-taming phytoestrogens and even a bit of fiber, which is totally absent in the meat variety.
Not surprisingly, vegetarians have lower levels of sex hormones than do nonvegetarians.8 This does not mean that their sex drives are lower or that their sexual performance is reduced. As we will see, plant-based diets can actually enhance some aspects of sexuality. |
D. Lindsey Berkson
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| Timing appears to be as important with exposure to phytoestrogens as it is with chemical hormone disruptors. A Basque from Spain told the usda that one-eyed sheep were being born. The usda discovered that if the sheep, on day thirteen of pregnancy, were allowed to graze on one side of the island where there were specific phytoestrogenic plants, sheep offspring would be born with only one eye. If the sheep were taken to graze on the other side of the island on that particular day, the baby sheep were born with two eyes. |
Laurie Deutsch Mozian, M.S., R.D.
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 Flaxseeds
Flaxseeds contain lignans, which are rich sources of phytoestrogens. Although lignans also are found in whole grains, nuts, and other seeds, the richest known source of lignans is the flaxseed. Flaxseed has 750 to 800 times as much lignan as the nearest runner-up, the lentil. In one study, three groups of postmenopausal women supplemented their diets with 45 grams of soy flour, 25 grams of flaxseed, or 10 grams of red clover seed sprouts. |
Neal Barnard, M.D.
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| Certain plants, particularly soy products, contain helpful phytoestrogens, which reduce the effects of normal estrogens on a woman's body.
• Keep alcohol to a minimum.
• Until more is known about chlorine's effects on hormones, use bottled water for drinking and cooking.
Dairy products contain sex hormones, too.19 Farmers keep dairy cattle pregnant virtually constantly. This keeps their milk production high. The hormones circulating in a pregnant cow's blood easily pass into her milk. |
Jean Carper
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 HORMONES:
HOW FOODS CAN REGULATE ESTROGEN
Numerous plants contain phytoestrogens that are similar in molecular stmcture to that of human estrogen but have a weaker and different effect. Thus plant estrogens, being less potent, are slower to generate benefits; they appear safer, however, lacking synthetic estrogen's potential for producing adverse side effects. Additionally, some food, notably vegetables of the cabbage family, increases the rate at which your body bums up and disposes of estrogen circulating in the body. |
the Editors of FC&A Medical Publishing
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| 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. By interfering with the activity of this enzyme, genistein blocks a process called "long-term potentiation" that is central to learning and memory.
Dr. |
| One study found infants who drank soy formula received six to 11 times as many phytoestrogens as the amount known to have hormonal effects in adults.
Some think this could lead to early puberty, which is associated with a greater risk for breast cancer and ovarian cysts.
This leads to the question of whether soys good aspects outweigh the negative ones.
"Whatever good effects come with the gift [soy], will also come at some cost," White says. "We do not know yet just what those costs are, just as we really don't know yet the full and honest extent of their health benefits. |
D. Lindsey Berkson
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| No studies have been done to explore the effects of phytoestrogens in infants, including dose response, age of exposure, and length of exposure. As Dr. Sheehan says, "In the meantime, this large, uncontrolled, and basically unmonitored human infant experiment continues unabated."
All in all, breast milk is still considered by scientists and pediatricians to be the most ideal food for infants. |
the Editors of FC&A Medical Publishing
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| Eating plant foods with phytoestrogens can give you some of the protective benefits of estrogen. Sources are oats, wheat, corn, apples, almonds, cashews, and peanuts.
Isoflavones, a specific kind of phytoestrogen, are found mostly in soy-based foods like soybeans, tofu, miso, and soy nuts. Asian women eat about one type of soy food every day and report very few hot flashes and mood swings during menopause. This could mean they're getting some estrogen from their diet. (New research claims that soy may accelerate brain aging. For more information, see the Memory loss chapter.)
Calcium. |
| If you are interested in making phytoestrogens part of your menopause treatment, talk with your doctor.
Sea vegetables also have a load of other nutrients to boost anyone's heart health — magnesium, potassium, fiber, and beta carotene. Eating them can lower your blood pressure, keep free radicals in check, and deal with your cholesterol.
Defends against B12 deficiency. Many vegetarians don't get enough vitamin B12. Without meat, the main source of this nutrient, you're at risk of pernicious anemia, nerve damage, and even memory loss. |
Jean Carper
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| BREAST CANCER
Eating lots of beans may help protect you from breast cancer, possibly because they contain so-called phytoestrogens that help block the activity of cancer-promoting estrogen. So contends researcher Leonard A. Cohen, Ph.D., at the American Health Foundation in New York. Dr. Cohen says that Hispanic women in the Caribbean and Mexico are known to have less breast cancer than American women. In a new study, Dr. Cohen believes he has found one reason why: Hispanic women eat twice as many beans—mainly pinto, garbanzo and black beans—as American women. |
Earl Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D.
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 Although phytoestrogens are far weaker than natural estrogen, if they occur in high enough concentrations, they can out-compete the natural estrogens for binding spots on estrogen-sensitive cells.
Soy products such as soy milk, tofu, and soy flour might also improve the blood-cholesterol balance which sometimes increases in postmenopausal women, and offset some of the more distressing affects of a drop in estrogen such as vaginal dryness, night sweats, insomnia, and fatigue.
Herbs
Siberian ginseng—Fatigue is one of the most common complaints of menopause. |
Neal Barnard, M.D.
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| In addition, phytoestrogens in plants provide weak estrogen effects. Soy products, such as tofu, tempeh, and miso, contain huge amounts of these natural compounds. The concentration of these weak plant estrogens has been measured in the urine of Japanese women and is nearly a thousand times higher than the concentration of normal estrogens.21 Because their biological effects are extremely weak, however, they serve to blunt the effects of the body's normal estrogens but can provide a bit of an estrogen effect when the hotmone is lacking. |
Robert S. McCaleb, Evelyn Leigh, and Krista Morien
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 Of all the legumes, it is highest in isoflavones (also called phytoestrogens) such as genistein and daidzein, compounds with well-researched health benefits. Soybeans also pack in 38 percent protein, which has been shown to help lower cholesterol levels when eaten in place of animal protein. In Asia, the average person consumes 25 to 45 mg of isoflavones daily, primarily derived from soy, compared with just 1 to 3 mg a day in the United States. In Japan, isoflavone intake often reaches 200 mg daily. |
Schuyler W. Lininger, Jr. DC
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 Hops also contain phytoestrogens that bind estrogen receptors in cells but have only mild estrogen-like actions.4
How Much Is Usually Taken?
The German Commission E monograph recommends 500 mg for anxiety or insomnia.5 This can be repeated 3 to 4 times daily. The dried fruits can be made into a tea by pouring 150 ml of boiling water over 1 to 2 U.S. teaspoons (5 to 10 grams) of the fruit. Steep for 10 to 15 minutes before drinking. Tinctures can be taken in amounts of 1 to 2 ml 2 or 3 times per day. |
| A review of the clinical effects of phytoestrogens. Obstet Gynecol 1996; 87: 897-904 [review].
4. Albertazzi P, Pansini F, Bonaccorsi G, et al. The effect of dietary soy supplementation on hot flushes. Obstet Gynecol 1998; 91: 6-11.
5. Murkies AL, Lombard C, Strauss BJ, et al. Dietary flour supplementation decreases post-menopausal hot flushes: effect of soy and wheat. Maturitas 1995; 21: 189-95.
6. Brezinski A, Adlercreutz H, Shaoul R, et al. Short-term effects of phytoestrogen-rich diet on postmenopausal women. Menopause 1997; 4: 89-94.
7. Lee JR. Natural Progesterone. |
| Stephens FO. phytoestrogens and prostate cancer. Possible preventive role. Med J Australia 1997; 167: 138-40.
5. Foster S. Herbs for Your Health. Loveland, CO: Interweave Press, 1996, 76-77.
Red Raspberry
1. Lust JB. The Herb Book. New York: Bantam Books, 1974, 328-29.
2. Tyler VE. Herbs of Choice: The Therapeutic Use of Phytomedicinals. Binghamton, NY: Pharmaceutical Products Press, 1994, 52,139.
3. Blumenthal M, Busse WR, Goldberg A, et al. (eds). The Complete Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Boston, MA: Integrative Medicine Communications, 1998, 366. |
| Soy is known to affect the menstrual cycle in premenopausal women.2 Researchers have linked societies with high consumption of soy products to a low incidence of hot flashes during menopause.3 In one double-blind trial, 60 grams of soy protein caused a 33% decrease in the number of hot flashes after 4 weeks and a 45% reduction after 12 weeks.4 Other double-blind research has reported significant reduction in the number of hot flashes.5
In one randomized trial, high intake of phytoestrogens from soy and flaxseed (p. |
| Supplements containing isoflavones extracted from soy are commercially available, and flaxseed (as opposed to flaxseed oil) is also a good source of phytoestrogens.
Although natural progesterone (p. 326) has been anecdotally linked to reduction in symptoms of menopause,7,8'' clinical research has not yet supported the use of natural progesterone for this purpose. In one trial, natural progesterone was found to have no independent effect on symptoms, and synthetic progestins were found to increase breast tenderness. |
Dr. Gary Null
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 Isoflavones and phytoestrogens found in soybeans, soy products, and lima beans protect against cancer. The low incidence of breast cancer among Japanese women is largely attributed to the widespread use of soybeans. Flax. The omega-3 fatty acids in flax seeds and oil protects against breast cancer.
Fish. Fish high in omega-3 include salmon, tuna, sardines, mackerel, and herring.
Cruciferous vegetables. Vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts contain cancer-fighting substances. Mushrooms. Reiki, shiitake, and maitake mushrooms have strong anticancer properties. |
Robert S. McCaleb, Evelyn Leigh, and Krista Morien
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| Specific Studies
Cholesterol: Clinical Study (1998)
Breast Cancer: Case-Control Study (1997)
A case-control study conducted in Australia found that breast cancer risk was substantially reduced among women with a higher intake of phytoestrogens, including lig-nans from flax. Researchers compared 144 women with newly diagnosed early breast cancer (before treatment) to 144 women without breast cancer who were matched for age and area of residence. |
Larry Trivieri, Jr.
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 Ojeda says.36 phytoestrogens are so named because they can act like hormonal estrogen in the body, attaching to estrogen receptor sites and serving to restrain bone loss. In preliminary studies, synthetic isoflavones, such as ipri-flavone, have also shown effectiveness in slowing bone loss.37
Some health practitioners also recommend calcium supplements. Michael T. Murray, N.D, of Issaquah, Washington, recommends the more soluble forms—calcium citrate, calcium lactate, and calcium aspartate. Combinations of calcium and other minerals are also prescribed. |
Robert S. McCaleb, Evelyn Leigh, and Krista Morien
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| This study is supported by population studies which show that Japanese women who excrete higher levels of phytoestrogens, including lignans, also tend to have longer menstrual cycles than Western women.17 A recent laboratory study provided further support for this theory by showing that flaxseed and isolated lignans (such as SDG) included as 10 percent of the diet lengthened the menstrual cycle of rats. Flax's effects in this study were comparable with the drug tamoxifen, an antiestrogenic drug used in treating breast cancer. |
| A review of the clinical effects of phytoestrogens. Obstetrics and Gynecology 1996; 87(5): 897-904.
24. Zava DT, Duwe G. Estrogenic and antiproliferative properties of genistein and other flavonoids in human breast cancer cells in vitro. Nutrition and Cancer 1997; 27(1): 31-40.
25. Zava DT, Dollbaum CM, Blen M. Estrogen and progestin bioactivity of foods, herbs, and spices. Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine 1998; 217 (3): 369-378.
26. Cassidy A, Bingham S. |
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