Earl L. Mindell, RPh, PhD with Virginia Hopkins, MA
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| Studies are showing that some aspect of soy—most likely, the phytoestrogens they contain—have bone-strengthening effects. Recent research published in the Journal of Women's Health & Gender-Based Medicine found that postmenopausal women who ate a lot of soy foods had greater spinal bone density than those who didn't. Adding soy products such as miso, tempeh, and tofu to your diet in moderate amounts may contribute to better overall health and stronger bones.
Progesterone, Testosterone, and Osteoporosis
John Lee, M.D. |
| 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. |
David Hoffman, FNIMH, AHG
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 Certain isoflavonoids, such as genistein and daidzein, are phytoestrogens, while others are insecticidal or piscicidal. The anthocyanins have a clearly defined function in flowers and fruits in attracting pollinators and as seed dispersal agents. Many of these phenolic molecules are also effective antioxidants and free radical scavengers, especially the flavonoids. As discussed later, they are also the basis of most flower colors.
Major Functions of Polyphenols
Polyphenols have in common an aromatic benzene ring bearing one or more hydroxyl groups.
OH
Fig. 7.1. |
Linda B. White, M.D.
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 A Reason to Savor Soy
Soybeans and many other beans contain natural estrogen-like compounds called phytoestrogens. In one study of soy products, researchers examined 80 post-menopausal women who ate a half-cup of tofu every day. Early results found that the rate of bone loss among the women slowed down.
Phytoestrogens from soy products may be the reason why women living in Asian countries have a much lower rate of hip fractures than women in Western countries. Asian women also eat more seaweed and fish —both rich in minerals.
Overweight
YOU'VE DECIDED THAT YOU WANT to lose weight. |
| Red clover (Trifolium pratense)
Although its action to prevent or cure cancer has not been studied, red clover is a rich source of phytoestrogens—plant chemicals similar to human estrogens. phytoestrogens may be responsible for the absence of cancer in those who eat a plant-based diet, because these plant-based estrogens lock on to certain cells, preventing the "real" estrogens from overstimulating the body. Red clover flowers are easily obtainable and safe and they make a reasonably tasty tea. |
Michael T. Murray, N.D.
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 This tonic effect is thought to result from the action of phytoestrogens, as well as from the plant extract's ability to improve blood flow to the female organs. The herbs work to nourish and tone the female glandular and organ system rather than exert a druglike effect. This nonspecific mode of action makes many herbs useful in a broad range of female conditions.
Phytoestrogens are components of many medicinal herbs historically used to treat conditions now treated with estrogens. |
| In fact, experimental studies in animals demonstrated that phytoestrogens are extremely effective in inhibiting mammary tumors, not only because they occupy estrogen receptors, but also because of other, unrelated anticancer mechanisms.2
Phytoestrogens in herbs are capable of exerting estrogenic effects, although the activity compared to estrogen is only 2 percent as strong as estrogen at the very most. |
| While both synthetic and natural estrogens may pose significant health risks, including increasing the risk of cancer, gallbladder disease, and thromboembolic disease (strokes, heart attacks, etc.), phytoestrogens have not been associated with these side effects. In fact, experimental studies in animals demonstrated that phytoestrogens are extremely effective in inhibiting mammary tumors, not only because they occupy estrogen receptors, but also because of other, unrelated anticancer mechanisms. |
the Editors of PREVENTION
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 While they are not exact substitutes for the body's true hormones, phytoestrogens do have similar effects. Often, their mild action is just enough to reverse troubling menopause symptoms that are due to too little estrogen.
Red clover is an herb that's high in multiple types of phytoestrogens as well as isoflavones, the beneficial, naturally occurring chemicals that are also found in soy foods. In fact, the little globe-shaped clover flower is so potent that an extract is now sold over the counter as a menopause-targeted formula called Promensil. |
John Boik
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 In fact, tamoxifen, which has shown some effectiveness in treating breast cancer, is structurally related to some phytoestrogens (Messina and Barnes, 1991). Vegetarian and Japanese diets contain approximately 4.5 times the phytoestrogens of the average American diet (Messina and Barnes, 1991), which may account, in part, for the relatively low level of breast cancer in the Japanese population. In rodent studies, consumption of soy inhibited the growth of chemically-induced mammary cancer. These effects were associated with a decrease in available tumor estrogen receptors (Barnes et al, 1990). |
the Editors of PREVENTION
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| Dr. Kinch-eloe. While they are not exact substitutes for the body's true hormones, phytoestrogens do have similar effects. Often, their mild action is just enough to reverse troubling menopause symptoms that are due to too little estrogen.
Red clover is an herb that's high in multiple types of phytoestrogens as well as isoflavones, the beneficial, naturally occurring chemicals that are also found in soy foods. In fact, the little globe-shaped clover flower is so potent that an extract is now sold over the counter as a menopause-targeted formula called Promensil. |
| You're not going to overdose on these phytoestrogens."
Black Cohosh
Take V2 to 1 milliliter of tincture two to four times daily. Like red clover, black cohosh contains natural phytoestrogens. "It's a classic American herb widely used by menopausal women in Europe," according to master herbalist Susun Weed of Woodstock, New York, author of Menopausal Years: The Wise Woman Way.
Native American people used black cohosh first for female health complaints, and German physicians have been recommending it since the 1940s for hormone disturbances. |
John Boik
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| Non-nutrient compounds include phytoestrogens, saponins, flavonoids, protease inhibitors, isoflavones, and lignans. In-vitro and in-vivo studies suggest that some of these compounds also may be useful in treating established cancers.
14.1 NON-NUTRIENT ANTICARCINOGENS
14.2 PHYTOESTROGENS
14.3 PHYTOSTEROLS AND SAPONINS
14.4 FLAVONOIDS
14.4.1 Antiallergy Actions
14.6 ISOFLAVONES
14.6.1 Inhibition of Platelet Aggregation
14.6.2 Induction of Apoptosis and Inhibition of
14.6.3 Inhibition of Leukotriene Production
14.6.4 Inhibition of Angiogenesis
14.6. |
David Hoffman, FNIMH, AHG
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| Isoflavones
A number of phytoestrogens belong to chemically related classes of flavonoids, including chalcones, flavanones, flavones, flavonols, and isoflavones. The most active of these, the isoflavones, represent a structural variant of the flavonoid family of plant phenolics and are only found regularly in one subfamily of the Fabaceae, the Papilionoideae. They have been recorded occasionally in a few other families, such as Asteraceae, Iridaceae, Myristicaceae, and Rosaceae. |
Patrick Holford
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 Lignans: These are part of the group of compounds known as phytoestrogens (see below), plant substances that can induce biological responses in the body. They do this by mimicking the actions of the body's own estrogens, usually by binding to the estrogen receptors. They are ingested as inactive compounds and then activated by the gut microflora. The main source of lignans is flaxseeds and they are also found in beans, nuts, fruit, and cereals in smaller quantities.
Lutein: This is a powerful antioxidant found in many fruits and vegetables. It is remarkably heat stable and can survive cooking. |
Nicola Reavley
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 These are also referred to as phytoestrogens because they have both estrogenic and antiestrogenic properties. When circulating levels of estrogens are high, such as in premenopausal women, these compounds can bind to estrogen receptors and block action of the hormone. When estrogen levels are low, such as in postmenopausal women, phytoestrogens act estrogenically. Phytoestrogen compounds in soy include genistein and daidzein. |
Mark Blumenthal
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 Phytoestrogens. London: Bailliere Tindall; 1998;12(4):729-742.
Mazur WM, Rasku S, Salakka A, et al. Lignan and isoflavonoid concentrations in tea and coffee. Br J Nutr 1998;79:37-45.
McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A (eds.). American Herbal Products Associations Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press; 1997.
McManus R, Jumson J, Finegood D, et al. A comparison of the effects of n-3 fatty acids from linseed oil and fish oil in well-controlled type 1 diabetes. Diabetes Care 1996;19(5):463-7.
Medical Products Agency (MPA). |
| Effect of dietary components, including lignans and phytoestrogens, on enterohepatic circulation and liver metabolism of estrogens and on sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). J Steroid Biochem 1987;27:1135-1144.
Aldercreutz H, Mousavi Y, Hockerstedt K. Diet and breast cancer. Acta Oncol 1992;31(2):175-81.
Allman, M, Pena M, Pang D. Supplementation with flax seed oil versus sunflower seed oil in healthy young men consuming a low fat diet: effects on platelet composition and function. Eur J Clin Nutr 1995;49(3): 169-78.
API. See: Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. |
| ZIP code area (ages 30-84 years)
23 months Not applicable
Dietary intake Substantial reduction in breast cancer risk among of phyto- women with high intake of phytoestrogens, as assessed estrogens by significant increase in excretion of equol (p=0.009) and enterolactone (p=O.OI3).
Phipps et al., 1993
Effect on menstrual cycle and serum hormone concentration
R, CO n=l8 healthy women with regular menstrual cycle length (25-30 days)
(ages 20-34 years)
7 consecutive 10 g/day Raw flaxseed Flaxseed associated with longer luteal phase (p=0. |
| Growth inhibition of human breast cancer cells by herbs and phytoestrogens. Oncol Rep 1999;6:1383-7. Diiker E, Kopanski L, Jarry H, Wuttke W. Effects of extracts from Cimicifuga racemosa on gonadotropin release in menopausal women and ovariectomized rats.
Planta Med 1991;57:420^. Einer-Jensen N, Zhao J, Andersen K, Kristoffersen K. Cimicifuga and Melbrosia lack oestrogenic effects in mice and rats. Maturitas 1996;25:149-53. Farnsworth NR. Personal communication to M. Blumenthal. May 24, 1999. Foster S. Black Cohosh: Cimicifuga racemosa - A Literature Review. HerbalGram
1999;45:35-50. |
Patrick Holford
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| 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. These are naturally occurring substances present in the diet, principally in vegetable oils, and are effective in lowering plasma total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. |
David Hoffman, FNIMH, AHG
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| Much of the basic research on phytoestrogens uses a laboratory test that assesses estrogen-induced thickening of the uterine wall in rodents. This is all well and good, but to use results of such tests to arrive at human therapeutic protocols is absurd. The mere fact that rodents do not menstruate calls into question the validity of such extrapolation. This alone should inform us that the actual situation is much more complex than the one the test is designed to investigate.
• The studies utilized isolated constituents, not whole plants. |
Bradley J. Willcox, M.D., D. Craig Willcox, Ph.D., Makoto Suzuki, M.D.
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 A recent prospective (best evidence) Australian study21 showed phytoestrogens like those in soy to be protective against breast cancer, further supporting the beneficial impact of dietary flavonoids on breast, prostate, and colon cancers.22 In Japan, where soy consumption is high, women have minimal menopausal problems and less than a fifth of the rate of breast cancer of Westerners. Soy is a winner in terms of weight control too. It's a low-calorie food, and in Japan, some soy products have been patented specifically to promote weight loss. |
David Hoffman, FNIMH, AHG
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| A diet rich in calcium, vitamin D, and phytoestrogens and a lifestyle that includes regular exercise are thought to be the best ways to prevent osteoporosis.
Calcium
Calcium-rich foods, such as dairy products, are the preferred source of calcium. Calcium-fortified foods and calcium supplements are other means by which optimal calcium intake can be reached in those who cannot meet this need by ingesting conventional foods.
Phosphorus-rich foods should be avoided, as they can promote bone loss. High-phosphorus foods include red meats, soft drinks, and foods containing phosphate additives. |
| It is also important to understand that phytoestrogens are not precursors of human hormones, but instead interact with human estrogen receptors to elicit various responses.
Xenoestrogens
Xenoestrogens are environmental estrogens, usually synthetic pesticides such as DDT and hormones in our diet. One source is residual hormones that make their way into dairy products after having been originally fed to cows. DDT, PCB, and many other synthetic pesticides are estrogens. In fact, they work in part by disrupting the reproductive cycle of the animal they are designed to deter. |
Dr. Gary Null
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 Animal studies lead researchers to conclude that phytoestrogens may be signficantly more effective in treating menopausal symptoms than estrogen, since the former have not been linked to estrogen's side effects.
D. P. Rose, "Dietary Fiber, phytoestrogens, and Breast Cancer," Nutrition 8 (1992): 47-51. herbs/plant extracts
A study looked at the effects of remifemin, an extract of Cimicifuga racemosa, on the LH and FSH secretion of menopausal women. Levels of LH, but not FSH, were found to be reduced significantly in patients who received the extract. |
Kenny Ausubel
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 Red clover contains many biologically active compounds, including phytoestrogens, plant compounds with hormonal estrogenic effects. These plant hormones may be responsible for the low incidence of breast and other female reproductive cancers among women in Japan, where soybean products are regularly consumed.26 Further research continues to confirm that consumption of soy as a dietary source of these phytoestrogens is associated with a lowered risk of leukemia as well as cancers of the breast, lung, and prostate. |
Steven G. Pratt, M.D. and Kathy Matthews
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 Flaxseeds are also the leading source of a class of compounds called "lignins," which are phytoestrogens, or plant estrogens. Lignins influence the balance of estrogens in the body and help protect against breast cancer.
Flaxseeds are slightly larger than sesame seeds, darker in color—they range from dark red to brown—and very shiny. You can buy them in the form of flaxseed meal, or you can buy them in seed form and grind them yourself in a coffee grinder or mini food processor. The seeds must be ground, as the nutrients are difficult to absorb from the whole seed. |
Heather Boon, BScPhm, PhD and Michael Smith, BPharm, MRPharmS, ND
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 For this reason it is often referred to as being "amphoteric" (partial agonist) in nature. phytoestrogens have between 1/20 and 1/100 the action of estrogen.512
Pharmacokinetics
Peak serum concentration of glycyrrhizin occurs approximately 4 hours after ingestion, but varies widely among individuals ingesting the same amount of glycyrrhizin. In contrast, glycyrrhetinic acid levels peak at approximately 24 hours. Glycyrrhizin serum concentration decreases quickly and is no longer detectable by 96 hours. Glycyrrhetinic acid levels decrease more slowly. |
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