Robyn Landis
See book keywords and concepts |
 After all, if soy and other foods containing phytoestrogens were actually to increase cancer rates rather than decrease them, that would be reflected in studies of other populations. Japanese women would have more breast cancet, not less.
The important thing for you to know is that the potential discomforts of menopause are easily treated by natural means, using herbs in combination with diet, exercise, mind-body techniques, and other supplements. Incorporating as many of the above foods, herbs, and teas as possible into your diet and routine will help. |
Sheldon Saul Hendler and David Rorvik
See book keywords and concepts |
 It is also classified as a phytoestrogen. phytoestrogens are plant-derived nonsteroidal compounds that possess estrogen-like biological activity. Genistein has been found to have both weak estrogenic and weak anti-estrogenic effects.
Genistein is the aglycone (aglucon) of genistin. The isoflavone is found naturally as the glycoside genistin and as the glycosides 6"-0-malonylgenistin and 6"-0-acetylgenistin. Genistein 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. |
Annemarie Colbin
See book keywords and concepts |
 Other elements in the soybean, namely phytoestrogens such as genistein, have been shown to be cancer preventative as
Insufficient fat in the diet causes dry skin, brittle nails, feelings of cold, crankiness, and binging. On an extremely low-fat diet that does not provide sufficient essential fatty acids (EFA's), essential hormonal and regulatory functions of the body are impaired, and people may end up miserable and dissatisfied; they often consume an excess of carbohydrate foods because they're so hungry, and may put on weight because of this excess and the imbalance of nutrients. |
Elizabeth Somer, M.A., R.D.
See book keywords and concepts |
 Loma Linda University and an expert on soy, women need two to three daily servings of traditional soy foods, which provide 60 to 90 milligrams of phytoestrogens (1 serving = lli cup tofu or 1 cup soy milk).
PMS Pills, Potions, and Powders
Rather than give in to the tears, moodiness, and chocolate cravings the two weeks before their periods, PMS sufferers are offered a variety of dietary supplements, foods, and bars that claim to boost serotonin levels, curb mood swings, and tame cravings. Some are even promoted by scientists at prestigious universities. All of them are pricey—up to $2. |
Neal Barnard, M.D.
See book keywords and concepts |
 It discharges its passengers through the Jet-way into the terminal, which is suddenly a busy, noisy place. phytoestrogens, being weak estrogens, are like a tiny private plane that has few passengers and no cargo, but can still occupy the Jetway. They prevent your normal estrogen from attaching and acting on the cell.
Plant estrogens do not eliminate all of estrogen's effects, but they do reduce them. The result appears to be reduced breast cancer risk, and possibly reduced menstrual symptoms. |
Sheldon Saul Hendler and David Rorvik
See book keywords and concepts |
| Interaction of estrogenic chemicals and phytoestrogens with estrogen receptor beta. Endocrinology. 1998; 139:4256-4263.
Nagao A, Seki M, Kobayashi H. Inhibition of xanthine oxidase by flavcinoids. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 1999; 63:1787-1790.
Paladini AC, Marder M, Viola H, et al. Flavonoids and the central nervous system: from forgotten factors to potent anxiolytc compounds. J Pharm Pharmacol. 1999; 51:519-526.
Salgueri ro JB, Ardenghi P, Dias M, et al. Anxiolytic natural and syn hetic flavonoid ligands of the central benzodiazepine receptor have no effect on memory tasks in rats. |
Neal Barnard, M.D.
See book keywords and concepts |
| Soy products, for example, such as miso soup, tofu, and tempeh, contain weak plant estrogens called phytoestrogens, which reduce your natural estrogens' ability to stimulate your cells. (The prefix phyto simply means "plant.")
Normally, estrogen attaches to the surface of your cells by hooking onto tiny receptor proteins that allow it to change the chemistry inside the cell. An estrogen molecule is like a jumbo jet that lands at an airport and hooks onto a Jetway. It discharges its passengers through the Jet-way into the terminal, which is suddenly a busy, noisy place. |
Sheldon Saul Hendler and David Rorvik
See book keywords and concepts |
| Dietary soy-derived isoflavone phytoestrogens. Biochem Pharmacol. 2000; 60:1-5.
White LR, Petrovitch H, Ross GW, et al. Brain aging and midlife tofu consumption. J Am Coll Nutr. 2000; 19:242-255.
Soy Protein
TRADE NAMES
Genisoy Protein Shake (MLO Products), Genista Soy Protein (Biotherapies), Soytein (Solaray), Vege Fuel (Twinlab), Premium Soy Protein Booster (Naturade).
DESCRIPTION
In October, 1999, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved labeling claims for dietary soy protein stating that it may reduce the risk of heart disease. This is the 11th health claim allowed by the FDA. |
Ronald L. Hoffman, M.D.
See book keywords and concepts |
 Include soy foods, which contain the phytoestrogens that act as estrogen blockers at the breast tissue level. Soy in the diet is correlated with reduced breast and prostate cancer.
• Include cabbage family foods. In addition to phytosterols, cabbage family foods (cruciferous foods) are major sources of indole-3-carbinol, a proven cancer preventive agent. They include cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kale, broccoli, turnip greens, and radishes.22
• Add prostaglandin precursors — the counterinflammatory prostaglandins: fish oil, flaxseed oil, and GLA (borage oil). |
| Researchers have found much higher levels of these phytoestrogens in the blood of Japanese men than in Occidental men. They appear to have a blocking effect against prostate cancer and prostate disease in general.
Diet also affects prostaglandin metabolism, which may be important for prostate health. The arachidonic acid present in meats stimulates production of the "bad prostaglandins," while the American diet is generally deficient in the essential fatty acids (EFAs) — the omega-3 oils and the omega-6 oils —that promote the "good prostaglandins. |
Rebecca Wood
See book keywords and concepts |
 In addition, alfalfa contains the phytoestrogens daidzein and genistein, which block some cancers and ease menopausal distress. Alfalfa sprouts reduce kapha and pitta.
If you have an autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, eat only mature alfalfa sprouts or leaves which are, in fact, medicinal for such conditions. Alfalfa seeds and immature sprouts, however, contain the amino acid canavanine that can exacerbate those conditions. It's easy to distinguish immature from mature sprouts— the latter have set forth their first two leaves. |
Ronald L. Hoffman, M.D.
See book keywords and concepts |
| 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. These can both be found in health food stores in various forms, sometimes as teas or capsules or tinctures.
A study by the U.S. |
| They contain the phytoestrogens we've discussed earlier, including diadzin and genistein. They act as estrogen blockers at the tissue level, blocking receptors that could promote cancer.
Breast Cancer: The Great Dilemma
We know quite a bit about breast cancer, but there are great limitations to our knowledge. This paradox presents us constantly with dilemmas of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment that are often difficult to resolve. To ' cite one example: a young woman named Angela came to see me, with a history of fibrocystic breasts and additionally with heavy menstrual periods and PMS. |
Sheldon Saul Hendler and David Rorvik
See book keywords and concepts |
| The lignan SDG belongs to a group of plant substances known as phytoestrogens.
ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
ACTIONS
Flaxseed oil may have anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombotic and anti-proliferative activities.
MECHANISM OF ACTION
ALA is metabolized to eicosopentaenoic acid (EPA). EPA is a precursor of the series-3 prostaglandins, the series-5 leukotrienes and the series-3 thromboxanes. These eicosa-noids have anti-inflammatory and anti-atherogenic properties. |
Susun S. Weed
See book keywords and concepts |
 Important Constituents: Antioxidants, carotenes, essential oils, flavonoids, phytoestrogens, vitamin C complex. Preparation & Daily Dose: Used 3 weeks a month for 2-3 months. Dried peel: 3-9 grams.
Fresh peel preserved in honey: 2 ounces/60 grams. Citrus Peel Honey: Juice several organic lemons or oranges. Drink juice.With a sharp knife, slice the peels, with clinging pulp, into slivers. Cook with an equal amount of honey on medium heat, stirring frequently, until it boils and billows up. Quickly remove from heat; pour into clean jars. Cover; cool; store in refrigerator. Toxicity: None known. |
Bradley J. Willcox, D. Craig Willcox, and Makoto Suzuki
See book keywords and concepts |
 That's the real beauty of these phytoestrogens. They allow estrogen to connect and promote growth at certain selected areas of the body where it is beneficial—that is, the bones—and block it from promoting growth at sensitive sites, such as the endometrium and breast, where it can do damage. With no extra cell growth there is much less risk of cancer.
This is important information for women in North America, where even the definition of high risk for breast cancer is scary. A high-risk woman is someone over the age of twenty-five who has at least a 1. |
Gayle Reichler, M.S., R.D., C.D.N.
See book keywords and concepts |
 Soy-based foods contain phytoestrogens, which may inhibit the loss of calcium from your bones. Vitamin D is essential for the absorption and utilization of calcium. It is a nutrient naturally made by our bodies upon exposure to 10 to 15 minutes of sunlight; however, this ability declines with age. If you do not spend time outdoors or are over 50 years of age, you should consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement of 400 IUs to 800 IUs, which can be part of your calcium supplement. One cup of low-fat or skim milk is fortified with approximately 100 IUs of vitamin D. |
Bradley J. Willcox, D. Craig Willcox, and Makoto Suzuki
See book keywords and concepts |
| A diet high in flavonoids—the hormone-blocking, cancer-fighting phytoestrogens found in soy and other legumes—is associated with a low risk for prostate cancer, although the reasons are not yet fully understood.54 We believe that ongoing interventional studies will support the results seen in other studies: flavonoids kill prostate cancer cells, tumors grow more slowly or don't develop in animals that eat high soy or flavonoid diets, and human populations who consume high amounts of flavonoids are at low risk for prostate cancer. |
| Lignans, the cancer-fighting phytoestrogens that you read about in Chapter Two, have been found in high quantity in seaweed (mostly kelp), which could conceivably provide some protection against certain cancers. Two studies of female mice showed a protective effect of kelp against chemically induced cancers.8' Lower rates of breast cancer were reported in Japanese patients eating a diet high in kelp.82 Kelp has also been shown to reduce DNA damage induced by several known carcinogens. |
Ronald Klatz and Robert Goldman
See book keywords and concepts |
 Women who are reluctant to take synthetic estrogens may consider phytoestrogens as an alternative therapeutic agent. Ojeda points out that Japanese women experience a very low rate of menopausal complaints, which she attributes to their high consumption of soybeans.
For women who want more, Dr. Williams recommends natural progesterone. Unfortunately, natural hormone supplements are hard to come by, since drug companies cannot patent them and therefore are not interested in selling them commercially. |
Earl L. Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D.
See book keywords and concepts |
 Soy and many vegetables contains compounds called phytoestrogens because they behave like weak estrogens. Tofu, miso soup and tempeh are easily available soy products.
Estrogen is available by prescription only. If you decide you need some estrogen, use the smallest dose possible that will alleviate your symptoms. Dr. Lee's book (mentioned under progesterone) will give you a lot of helpful and eye-opening information on estrogen. |
Sheldon Saul Hendler and David Rorvik
See book keywords and concepts |
| Lignans are one of the two major classes of phytoestrogens; the other class is the isoflavones. Plant lignans are polyphe-nolic substances derived from phenylalanine via dimeriza-tion of substituted cinnamic alcohols. Mammalian lignans are lignans derived from plant lignans. For example, following ingestion, SDG is converted to the aglycone secoisolariciresinol, which is then metabolized to the mammalian lignans enterolactone ana enteroaioi. Most or me effects of oral SDG are mediated by enterolactone and enterodiol.
The molecular formula of SDG is C32H46O16, and its molecular weight is 686. |
Earl L. Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D.
See book keywords and concepts |
| The products contain phytoestrogens which take up estrogen receptor sites in the body, but only have a weak estrogenic effect on the body. This connection is only speculation at this point, but it may explain why the Japanese diet, which is heavy in soy products, is protective against prostate enlargement and tumors. There are soy supplements available that isolate the active ingredients in soy called isoflavones.
Pygeum Africanum
Pygeum Africanum, an evergreen tree from Africa, is an important part of your healthy prostate program. |
Bradley J. Willcox, D. Craig Willcox, and Makoto Suzuki
See book keywords and concepts |
| Red wine is a potent source of isoflavone phytoestrogens, a type of flavonoid which has both weak estrogenic effects and powerful antioxidant ability, and may help protect against heart disease and osteoporosis. Okinawan, Japanese, and Nordic diets also contain moderate amounts of alcohol with no apparent ill effect on overall mortality. The bottom line is moderation, yet again. A good basic rule—no more than one glass of red wine or other alcoholic beverage per day for women and two glasses for men.
Tips for Healthy Drinking
• Don't forget your folate. |
Susun S. Weed
See book keywords and concepts |
| Important Constituents: Antioxidants, ascorbic acid, carotenes, cholesterol, galactose, glucose, phytosterols, phytoestrogens, proteins, tannins, vitamin B complex; selenium, zinc, and other minerals. Preparation & Daily Dose: Used without limit.
Powdered bark cooked with hot cereal: eaten freely.
Powdered bark lozenges: eaten freely (recipe, page 301).
Tea of 1 teaspoon/5 ml bark per cup/250 ml of water: freely. Toxicity: None, even with large doses over time. Works Well With: Maple syrup, oatmeal, milk. |
| Plant hormones (phytosterols or phytoestrogens)-found in foods and herbs such as lentils, dried beans, tofu and fermented soy products, burdock roots, parsnips, sweet potatoes, pomegranates, red clover, hops, ginseng, and wild yam-stop breast cells from absorbing estradiol. (The action is similiar to tamoxifen but without its side effects.) Estradiol absorption is also blocked by an enzyme available from cooked dried beans and a phytochemical (indole-3-carbinol) found in cabbage and broccoli. |
| Estrogens are metabolized by one of two pathways: the short (safe) path or the long (cancer-promoting) path.13 phytoestrogens and other estrogens which don't promote cancer take the quicker short path. Estradiol, estrogen replacement therapy, and organochlorine estrogen-mimickers must take the slower long path. When there are plenty of short path estrogens in the blood, carcinogenic estrogens arrive at the breast cells only to find themselves blocked from entry, thus unable to promote cancer. |
| Risk decreases rapidly once you stop taking hormones, however.
• phytoestrogens also protect menopausal and post-menopausal women from the cancer-promoting effects of fuel combustion, and agricultural, industrial, and household chemicals.17 20
• Women who took DES have a 44 percent greater risk of breast cancer. And their daughters face greater risk as well.21
• What about birth control pills? Don't they increase breast cancer risk? Yes. And no. Current birth control pills reduce estradiol absorption and lower risk slightly. |
Neal Barnard, M.D.
See book keywords and concepts |
| Plant-based diets are also rich in phytoestrogens, weak estrogens that can displace your normal estrogens from their receptor sites on breast cells, reducing estrogen's effects. Soy products are a particularly concentrated source of these natural compounds, but many vegetables have them as well, which may also contribute to the lower cancer rates in Asian countries.25
One surprise is that milk products are linked to breast cancer risk. |
Linda B. White, M.D.
See book keywords and concepts |
 Or, if the women in her family have great eyesight into their nineties, but she has a problem with anemia right now, she might want to leave out the bilberry and add yellow dock. She'll also want to take the three antioxidants, get a little bit of iron in her multivitamin, and add a big dose of calcium to prevent osteoporosis.
When crafting your own herbal regimen, you'll want to take these five factors into account.
1. Any improvements you want to make in your health now 1. Any health problems for which you may be at risk
ž A.H.G. |
Email this page to a friend
