The Complete Book of Alternative NutritionSelene Y. Craig, Jennifer Haigh, Sari Harrar and the Editors of PREVENTION Magazine Health Books
See book keywords and concepts | | Besides providing fiber, protein, vitamins, minerals and fatty acids, soy foods are rich in chemicals called phytoestrogens, which are believed to play a role in warding off cancer.
These compounds seem to fight cancer in a couple of ways. Some cancers, such as breast and prostate cancer, are associated with elevated levels of male and female sex hormones. Since phytoestrogens help clear excess hormones from the blood, they sweep out the cancer-related substances. Also, in animal studies, phytoestrogens have been shown to inhibit the growth of breast tumors. |
Michael Friedman, ND
See book keywords and concepts |  Xanthines (found in tea, colas, coffee, and chocolate) should also be restricted as they act as xenoestro-gens. phytoestrogens have been shown to have a generally beneficial effect on PMS symptoms. Alcohol and any foods shown to cause an allergic reaction or intolerance should also be avoided, especially for the 2 weeks before the period. Regular aerobic exercise generally benefits PMS.
Clinical Nutrition
Vitamin B-6: A number of clinical studies have confirmed that vitamin B-6 helps PMS by acting as a cofac-tor that aids the metabolism of estrogen in the liver. |
Neal Barnard, M.D.
See book keywords and concepts |  Because phytoestrogens are weak estrogens, however, they may have a different effect in women after menopause, whose bodies make much less estrogen. In these women, phytoestrogens may actually have a slight estrogen effect, which may help reduce hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms.
Although soy products are particularly rich in phytoestrogens, they are also found in many other legumes, vegetables, and fruits. The more of these foods you include in your routine, the better. |
Amarjit S. Basra
See book keywords and concepts |  Naftolin, E, 1995, Potential adverse effects of phytoestrogens, Journal of Nutrition, 125(Suppl. 3): 715-765.
36. Irvine, C.H.G., Fitzpatrick, M.G., and Alexander, S.L., 1998, Phyto-oestrogen in soy based infant foods: Concentrations, daily intake and possible biological effects. Proceedings of the Society of Experimental Biology and Medicine, 217: 247-253.
37. Vastag, 2002, Hormone replacement therapy falls out of favour.
38. Lieberman, S., 1998, A review of the effectiveness of Cimicifuga racemosa (black cohosh) for the symptoms of menopause, Journal of Women's Health, 7:525-529.
39. | | Conversely, concern has been expressed about the side effect of high levels of phytoestrogens; epidemiological evidence suggests an adverse effect on male sexual development in pregnancy.33 Similarly, the use of soy-based infant foods has been reviewed with concerns about high exposure to isoflavones and possible biological effects.36
Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) was traditionally used by the Algonquin Indians of North America to treat premenstrual problems (see Photo 18.6). |
Byron J. Richards
See book keywords and concepts |  We do not know what the GMO phytoestrogens contained in soy will do when they interact with human breast tissue. Would you like to be part of the experiment? If so, eat soy.
The most common legumes of Mediterranean people are lentils, chickpeas, and white beans. Scandinavians eat more brown beans and peas. Japanese enjoy soy in the form of tofu, natto, and miso. Research now shows that in elderly individuals, for every 80 calories of legumes they have in their daily diet, they reduce their risk of premature death by seven to eight percent. |
Patrick Holford
See book keywords and concepts |  Foods rich in phytoestrogens include soy, particularly in the forms tofu and miso, other legumes, citrus fruits, wheat, licorice, alfalfa, fennel, and celery. A high intake of phytoestrogens is associated with a low risk for breast and prostate cancer, menopausal symptoms, fibroids, and other hormone-related diseases. 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. |
Joseph E. Mario
See book keywords and concepts |  Isoflavones are phytochemical phytoestrogens related to Flavonoids found in legume beans thatblocktumor growth enzymes, havesimilarstructureoffemale hormone Estrogen, only 1/1000th as potent, that block Estrogen uptake at receptor sites, and block Androgen damage to the prostate gland, preventing hormone-related cancers. Also lowerscholesterolupto35%. |
Alan R. Gaby, M.D., Jonathan V. Wright, M.D., Forrest Batz, Pharm.D. Rick Chester, RPh., N.D., DipLAc. George Constantine, R.Ph., Ph.D. Linnea D. Thompson, Pharm.D., N.D.
See book keywords and concepts |  Supplements containing isoflavones extracted from soy are commercially available, and flaxseed (as opposed to flaxseed oil) is also a good source of phytoestrogens.
Lifestyle changes that may be helpful
Sedentary women are more likely to have moderate or severe hot flashes compared with women who exer-cise.8,9 In one trial, menopausal symptoms were reduced immediately after aerobic exercise.10
Cigarette smoking may be related to hot flashes in menopausal women. Preliminary data have shown that women who experience hot flashes are more likely to be smokers. |
Brenda Davis and Tom Barnard
See book keywords and concepts |  A special group of phytochemicals, called phytoestrogens or plant estrogens, attach to estrogen receptor sites, but are only about 0.1 to 0.2 percent as potent as the primary human form of estrogen, estradiol. When estrogen levels are high, phytoestrogens may reduce the harmful effects of human estrogen by binding to receptor sites, crowding out human estrogen. There is some evidence this action may protect against hormone-related cancers. |
Kaayla T. Daniel, PhD, CCN
See book keywords and concepts |  ERT) blocked the manufacture of taurine,41 a fact that brings into question the wisdom of taking any artificial estrogens, including soy phytoestrogens.
LYSINE |
Lysine levels naturally occurring in soybeans are adequate. Unfortunately, modern high-tech processing can degrade lysine so severely that it becomes largely unusable. Lysinoalanine, an unnatural amino acid derivative produced during processing, causes the loss of bioavailable lysine as well as cystine and phosphoserine. | | In this document, PTI states that the soy phytoestrogens "exhibit very weak biological activity: 1/1000 to 1/1,000,000 of the activity of estradiol." The writer cited two scientific papers in support of these figures.38 Dave Woodhams, Ph.D., tracked down the papers that 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. | | These techniques allow scientists to measure phytoestrogens in foodstuffs and biological samples down to concentrations of parts per billion.7
Predicting isoflavone content in any given food, however, remains elusive. Levels in soybeans are influenced by many factors including crop year, geographical location, number of daylight hours, temperature, humidity, rain, fertilizers, types of pathogens and the plant's response to attack or disease. American varieties of soybeans have significantly higher total isoflavone content than Japanese breeds. |
Alan R. Gaby, M.D., Jonathan V. Wright, M.D., Forrest Batz, Pharm.D. Rick Chester, RPh., N.D., DipLAc. George Constantine, R.Ph., Ph.D. Linnea D. Thompson, Pharm.D., N.D.
See book keywords and concepts | | Some phytoestrogens are believed also to have antiestrogenic effects that might lead to reduced risks of certain cancers (page 87). Quercetin was found to have this antiestrogenic activity by inhibiting breast cancer (page 65) cells in a test tube.1
In a double-blind trial, 67% of people taking quercetin had an improvement of prostatitis (page 377) symptoms, compared with a 20% tesponse rate in the placebo group.2
Where is it found?
Quercetin can be found in onions, apples, green tea (page 686), and black tea. Smaller amounts are found in leafy green vegetables and beans. | | Hops also contain phytoestrogens that bind estrogen receptors in test tube studies but are thought to have only mild estrogen-like actions.5
How much is usually taken?
The German Commission E monograph recommends a single application of 500 mg of dried herb for anxiety (page 30) or insomnia (page 270).6 The dried fruits can be made into a tea by pouring 1 cup (250 ml) of boiling water over 1-2 teaspoons (5-10 grams) of the fruit. Steep for ten to fifteen minutes before drinking. Tinctures, A-A teaspoon (1-2 ml) two or three times per day, can also be used. |
Stephen T., M.D. Sinatra
See book keywords and concepts |  Soybeans contain isoflavones rich in natural phytoestrogens. Extensive research has shown that these compounds have many protective benefits, reducing the incidence of prostate cancer in study populations. There is also experimental evidence that phytoestrogens also protect against colon cancer. 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. |
Kaayla T. Daniel, PhD, CCN
See book keywords and concepts | | ESTROGENS
Worst of all, soy formulas contain high levels of the phytoestrogens (plant estrogens) known as isoflavones. These put the infant's developing endocrine, nervous and immune systems at risk (see Chapters 26-28). Although it is possible to remove the isoflavones from soy formula using an expensive solvent extraction process, manufacturers have chosen not to.79
Dave Woodhams, Ph.D. | | ISOFLAVONES are phytoestrogens (plant estrogens) that act like hormones and affect the reproductive and nervous systems. Some of the best known isoflavones are genistein and daidzein.
PROTEASE INHIBITORS, most notably TRYPSIN INHIBITORS interfere with the digestive enzymes protease and trypsin. This can lead to gastric distress, poor protein digestion and an overworked pancreas.
SAPONINS bind with bile. They may lower cholesterol and may damage the intestinal lining.
For full and detailed discussion of soy's antinutrients and toxins, See Parts Four, Five and Seven. |
Tanya Harter Pierce
See book keywords and concepts |  The seven subgroups of phytoestrogens are: isoflavones, coumestans, flavanones, flavones, flavanols, lignans, and chalcones. The isoflavones and coumestans are the most powerful of the phytoestrogens, with about a 10-fold stronger estrogenic effect than the others. 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. |
Alan R. Gaby, M.D., Jonathan V. Wright, M.D., Forrest Batz, Pharm.D. Rick Chester, RPh., N.D., DipLAc. George Constantine, R.Ph., Ph.D. Linnea D. Thompson, Pharm.D., N.D.
See book keywords and concepts | | Dietary changes that may be helpful
Soybeans contain compounds called phytoestrogens that are related in stmcture to estrogen, though some reports show soy's estrogenic activity to be quite weak.1 Soy is known to affect the menstrual cycle in premenopausal women.2 Societies with high consumption of soy products have a low incidence of hot flashes during menopause.3
In one double-blind trial, supplementation with 60 grams of soy protein caused a 33% decrease in the number of hot flashes after four weeks and a 45% reduction after 12 weeks. |
David Brownstein
See book keywords and concepts |  Fresh fruits and vegetables are essential. phytoestrogens, which are compounds found naturally in food, can stimulate the body's own estrogen receptors. phytoestrogens are found in soy products and herbal products like Dong Quai and Black Cohosh. An adequate intake of phytoestrogens will minimize the symptoms of estrogen deficiency. In Asian countries, where the intake of fermented soy products* is very high, women suffer virtually no adverse symptoms of menopause. |
Kaayla T. Daniel, PhD, CCN
See book keywords and concepts | | In the cheetah study, for example, he compares phytoestrogens with DES, a potent and dangerous estrogen with a chemical structure very similar to genistein, which has been withdrawn from agricultural use in the west. He writes: "Despite concerns over the deleterious effect of diethylstilbestrol and other anabolic agents contaminating meats consumed by humans, it is apparent that the contribution of naturally occurring plant estrogens to the diet is rarely considered. |
Bradley J. Willcox, D. Craig Willcox, and Makoto Suzuki
See book keywords and concepts |  Soy contains phytoestrogens, or plant estrogens, called flavonoids. The other important major phytoestrogens are lignans, which are derived from flax and other grains. All plants, especially legumes (beans, peas), onions, and broccoli, contain these natural SERMs, but not nearly in the same quantity as soy and flax.82 Soy and flax are the undisputed king and queen of natural SERMs. (See the table on pages 124-125 for the most complete list of phytoestrogen-rich foods available. |
Ronald L. Hoffman, M.D.
See book keywords and concepts |  Natural estrogen sources
Herbal and natural medicines contain an abundance of natural estrogens. phytoestrogens — including isoflavones, phytosterols, saponins, and lignans — are compounds in plants that are capable of exerting mild estrogenic effects. In high levels, they can have significant effects, which may explain the rarity of hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms in cultures consuming a plant-based diet. phytoestrogens are found in soy, fennel, celery, parsley, clovers, sprouts, flaxseed, nuts, and seeds. | | Both prostate enlargement and prostate cancer are much less frequent in Japan, for example, apparently because of the higher consumption of soy, beans, and the cabbage family, all of which contain phytoestrogens (or isoflavones), which are cancer-inhibiting. 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. |
Elizabeth Somer, M.A., R.D.
See book keywords and concepts |  On the other hand, soybeans and soy products contain estrogenlike compounds, called phytoestrogens, that help offset fluctuations in a woman's natural estrogen. While not exactly like estrogen, phytoestrogens act much like the female hormone, binding to the body's estrogen receptors and supplementing the effects of estrogen without the discomfort. According to Mark Messina, Ph.D. |
Gary Null
See book keywords and concepts | | Also, eating a lot of vegetables and red fruits, and drinking a lot of vegetable and fruit juice, will provide you with the phytonutrients that feed the phytoestrogens that in turn help produce the hormones needed to achieve hormonal balance as we age.
Homeopathy can also help osteoporosis. Calcarea phosphorica can be relied upon for extended periods of time for the treatment of soft, weak, and brittle bones. This homeopathic remedy should be administered at a potency of 200 C for acute pain; people with chronic symptoms should begin treatment with about 12 to 30 C. |
Ronald Klatz and Robert Goldman
See book keywords and concepts |  These products contain phytoestrogens which have differet levels of estrogenic activity. 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. |
Bradley J. Willcox, M.D., D. Craig Willcox, Ph.D., Makoto Suzuki, M.D.
See book keywords and concepts |  It's packed with protein, iodine, vitamin A, folate, magnesium, iron, calcium, phytoestrogens, and even vitamin B12, which cannot be found in land plants. Iodine is essential to the function of the thyroid gland, which uses it to make hormones that regulate metabolism, thus it plays a substantial role in weight maintenance. Seaweed also is loaded with soluble fiber, which absorbs water and adds bulk, thus aiding regularity and favorably affecting cholesterol and blood sugar levels. |
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