Dianne Onstad
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 These isoflavones actually bind to estrogen receptors and thus prevent the binding of the body's own estrogen to the receptor. phytoestrogens are currently under study, and there is controversy over whether they are beneficial or not.
Health Precautions
Soybeans, if consumed in high quantities, can block protein absorption. Soy foods that are not fermented, such as soy milk and protein powders, also contain substances that can block thyroid function, mineral absorption, and glucose uptake in the brain. |
Heather Boon, BScPhm, PhD and Michael Smith, BPharm, MRPharmS, ND
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 MISCELLANEOUS EFFECTS Premenstral Syndrome (PMS)
PMS symptoms have been associated with an increased estrogemprogesterone ratio. phytoestrogens such as licorice are thought to be useful in decreasing the symptoms associated with PMS.5
Canker Sores
Licorice has been reported to decrease the pain and speed the healing rate of canker sores in the mouth.5 One double-blind, crossover trial (n=24) reported that a mouth wash containing glycyrrhetinic acid reduced the pain associated with mouth ulcers, as well as significantly decreasing the number of new ulcers which developed. |
David Hoffman, FNIMH, AHG
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 It is clear that there is a significant number of structurally diverse secondary plant metabolites that contribute to human estrogen exposure, and these phytoestrogens have estrogenic effects at dietary levels.37
• Dietary macro- and micronutrients play an important role in estrogen metabolism. |
Patrick Holford
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 Allium compounds
Anthocyanidins
Bioflavonoids
Boswellic acid
Capsaicin
Carotenoids
Chlorogenic acid
Chlorophyll
Coumarins
Curcumin
Dithiolthiones Ellagic acid Genistein Glucosinolates Indoles
Isothiocyanates
Lentinan
Lignans
Lutein
Lycopene
Phenols phytoestrogens Phytosterols Pi peri ne
Proanthocyanidins
Probiotics
Quercetin
Saponins
Sulforaphane
Zeanxanthin
147
Now let's take a look at how some of these phytochemicals can support your health. |
Bradley J. Willcox, M.D., D. Craig Willcox, Ph.D., Makoto Suzuki, M.D.
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 This type of tofu is the richest in phytoestrogens.
Silken but Firm Tofu: This admittedly confusing category of tofu was made up by several North American tofu makers. It's smooth like regular silken tofu, but it is less fragile—more like a jelly with extra gelatin. Definitely an in-betweener, this tofu doesn't do much for us. |
Neal Barnard, M.D.
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 Soy products, such as tofu, contain phytoestrogens, which are very weak plant estrogens. They attach to microscopic receptors on cells, displacing some of a woman's normal estrogen. The result is less estrogen stimulation and apparently less cancer risk.7
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. |
Tanya Harter Pierce
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 These phytoestrogens bind to estrogen receptors in the body and convey many of the health benefits of human estrogen to men and women alike. And because they bind to estrogen receptors, they compete with our own estrogen hormones for the same receptors.
This is particularly helpful for women battling estrogen dominance because the weaker plant estrogens block some of the activity of the excess, stronger human estrogens. They do not cling to the receptors for long and are easily processed out of the body. |
The Editors of Prevention Magazine Health Books
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 Now it looks as if phytoestrogens might also play a role."
While the phytoestrogen content of soy foods varies considerably from brand to brand, one or two servings of tofu, soybeans or soy milk a day is equivalent to the usual intake of the Asian population. It also contains approximately 35 milligrams of phytoestrogens, a reasonable goal to shoot for, says Dr. Woods.
Japanese women eat from 2'/2 to 3Vi ounces of tofu per day, says Dr. Woods.
"If you are having hot flashes and night sweats and don't want to take hormones, I certainly think it would be worthwhile to try it. |
| These foods are rich in plant compounds known as phytoestrogens, which seem to mimic some of the biological activities of female hormones.
"Japanese women of all ages have lower estrogen levels than their American counterparts," says Dr. Woods. "At first we thought it was just because of their lower-fat, higher-fiber diet. Now it looks as if phytoestrogens might also play a role."
While the phytoestrogen content of soy foods varies considerably from brand to brand, one or two servings of tofu, soybeans or soy milk a day is equivalent to the usual intake of the Asian population. |
Tanya Harter Pierce
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| 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.
Because of so much processed food in our diets, Americans generally don't eat as many "whole" foods as people in other countries do. |
Dr. Michael Heinrich, Joanne Barnes, Simon Gibbons and Elizabeth M. Williamson
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 Phytomedicines are much less potent in effect than the sex hormones, but this can be an advantage, as for example with the phytoestrogens. There are several conditions for which phytomedicines may offer at least some symptomatic relief. For example, premenstrual syndrome affects around 20-30% of women for up to 2 weeks before the start of menstruation. It is characterized by physical symptoms (e.g. headache, abdominal swelling, breast tenderness) and/or psychological symptoms (e.g. mood changes). Later in life, the menopause affects all women, usually around the age of 51 years. |
| As well as the herbs mentioned below, many pulses (which arc legumes) contain phytoestrogens, as do linseed and hops. The main chemical types of phytoestrogen are the isoflavones, coumestans and lignans, and some species of palm even contain similar hormones (e.g. estriol) to those found in the human body. |
| Constituents
Soya contains phytoestrogens of two chemical types: isoflavones including genistein, daidzein and their derivatives, ononin, isoformononetin and others, and coumestans such as coumestrol (especially in the sprouts). There is a fixed oil composed mainly of linoleic and linolenic acids, and phytosterols including P-sitosterol and stigmasterol.
Pharmacological effects and clinical efficacy
The isoflavones and coumestans are oestrogenic, and are now being used as a natural form of hormone replacement therapy, although the evidence for this is not conclusive. |
| OH
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AtAA
J rXJ
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Genistein
Coumestrol
Constituents
The major actives arc phytoestrogens of two types: the isoflavones genistein (Fig. 18.1), afrormosin, biochanin A, daidzein, formononetin, pratensein, calyconin, pseudobaptigenin, orobol, irilone and trifoside and their glycoside conjugates; and the coumestans coumestrol (Fig. 18.1) and medicagol.
Pharmacological effects and clinical efficacy
Red clover was traditionally used for skin complaints such as psoriasis and eczema, and as an expectorant in coughs and bronchial conditions. |
Brenda Davis and Tom Barnard
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 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. When estrogen levels are low, the weak estrogens may provide enough estrogenic activity to provide protection against diseases such as osteoporosis and heart disease.
Another important group of phytochemicals is called phytosterols or plant sterols. These compounds are structurally similar to cholesterol, but with remarkably different effects on the body. |
the Editors of FC&A Medical Publishing
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 People aren't the only ones who make estrogen — plants do too, called phytoestrogens. 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. |
Doris J. Rapp, M.D.
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 Natural forms of female hormones called phytoestrogens are less apt to cause these types of adverse effects in humans.
Organochlorides11'1
This large category of chemicals is known as chlorinated phenols or the organochloride pesticides. These can damage the skin, kidneys, liver and immune system. The most well known is DDT - then came chlordane used from the early forties to the mid eighties. Over 30 million homes were "treated" with chlordane for pest control, and this chemical can continue to cause symptoms in some homeowners. |
Tanya Harter Pierce
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| The isoflavones are some of the most potent phytoestrogens to humans, yet, ironically, they are the most lacking in the modern western diet. This is because when most Westerners eat a phytochemical-containing plant, it is usually in the form of a piece of fruit or a salad vegetable. It is not usually in the form of some type of legume (or bean). Yet, in countries where women suffer the least from symptoms of PMS and menopause, legumes are part of their staple diet. |
| Women who do not have cancer can supplement with natural estrogens or phytoestrogens to help them maintain their ability to sleep and to minimize their hot flashes and other symptoms. But if estrogen supplementation is a "no-no" for anyone with cancer, then what does a woman with cancer do when she has these symptoms?
Luckily, there are safe solutions. So far, I have talked about the estrogens promoting cell growth, and in general this is the commonly held position in the medical community. However, this is not exactly accurate. |
| The important isoflavone category of phytoestrogens can be broken down into four specific isoflavones. These are: genistein, biochanin, daidzein, and formononetin. Every time we eat a legume, we are consuming at least one of these four beneficial isoflavones. A great deal of research has been done on the effects of isoflavones. Besides helping to alleviate the many uncomfortable symptoms of estrogen dominance, isoflavones have also been shown to have potent anti-cancer properties. |
Andrew Pengelly
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 They have structural similarities to oestrogens so they are also classed amongst the phytoestrogens, compounds that bind to oestrogen receptors but whose oestrogen activity is relatively low. genistein—an isoflavone
Clinical trials have supported the efficacy of isoflavones such as genistein, found in soymilk and other soy products, in prevention of breast tumours and other cancers, as well as alleviating hot flushes and other symptoms associated with the menopause (Albert et al. 2002). |
| They have oestrogenic, antitumour and antioxidant properties, and are a major source of the class of compounds known as phytoestrogens.
Lignans from the mayapple {Podophyllum peltatum) show potent antiviral activity in vivo (MacRae et al. 1989).
OCH
CH,0
CH,0
Recent research on lignans has focused on a range of compounds demonstrating cardiovascular activities such as inhibition of cyclic AMP phosphodierstase, PAF antagonism, calcium channel antagonism and antihypertensive and antioxidant effects (Ghisalberti et al. 1997). |
| Steroidal saponins are thought to be responsible—at least in part—for the oestrogenic activity linked to herbs such as Dioscorea villosa and Chamaelirium luteum, though they are not classed among the phytoestrogens.
A subgroup of the steroidal saponins are the glycoalkaloids, in which the aglycone is a steroidal alkaloid (contains a nitrogen atom). The most common source of these compounds is the Solatium genus, including the common potato Solarium tuberosum. |
Bill Gottlieb
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 Some doctors have told women with breast cancer not to eat more soy or take soy supplements like genistein because soy contains phytoestrogens, natural estrogens with about half the strength of the hormone manufactured by the body. But study after study shows that phytoestrogens don't increase the risk of breast cancer or accelerate the disease. In fact, genistein does just the opposite by slowing cancer growth, says Dr. Quillin. He recommends that women with breast cancer either take a genistein supplement of 6 milligrams daily or eat more soy. |
David Brownstein
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 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. phytoestrogens contain compounds that have no propensity to increase the risk of breast cancer, and many studies show that they may reduce the risk for cancer. Eliminate caffeine and drink adequate amounts of pure water per day. Eat iodine-containing foods including seafood and Celtic Sea Salt to satisfy the iodine requirements of the ovaries. |
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. |
Dr. Michael Heinrich, Joanne Barnes, Simon Gibbons and Elizabeth M. Williamson
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| HORMONAL IMBALANCE IN WOMEN
Although the phytoestrogens can be considered to affect hormone activity, there are other herbal medicines that are considered to have the capacity to regulate hormone levels without necessarily being oestrogenic. They are thought to be safe in women who have suffered breast cancer but should be used only under medical supervision in this case. Their mechanism of action is generally not known.
Black cohosh, Cimicifuga racemosa Nutt.
The plant and the drug
Black cohosh (syn. Actaea racemosa L. |
Phyllis A. Balch, CNC
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 Phytochemicals include beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, eugenol, ferulic acid, gallic acid, indoles, myristic acid, P-coumaric acid, squalene, stigmas-terol, thymol, monoterpenes, and phytoestrogens.
When buying corn in the husk, look for green husks that are "tight" and moist. Never buy corn in the husk that is yellowed and dry. The kernels should be plump and in close rows. When punctured, a kernel should spurt a milky liquid. The silk should be soft and pale yellow, never brown or wiry. Corn should not be piled in unrefrigerated bins at the supermarket. |
The Complete Book of Alternative NutritionSelene Y. Craig, Jennifer Haigh, Sari Harrar and the Editors of PREVENTION Magazine Health Books
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| 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. Taken together, these two factors go a long way toward explaining why breast and prostate cancer rates are low in countries like Japan, where soy foods are part of the traditional diet.
Researchers have taken into account that it's not just meatless diets that separate vegetarians from other groups. |
Brenda Davis and Tom Barnard
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| These beans provide a rich plant source of protein and plant sterols, as well as phytoestrogens such as lignans and isoflavones. The principle isoflavones in soy are genestein and daidzein. These isoflavones are powerful antioxidants and very effective inhibitors of the tyrosine kinase enzyme—a potent tumor promoter. Research suggests that isoflavones may provide protection against heart disease, certain forms of cancer, and osteoporosis. Some evidence also indicates that they may preserve cognitive function. |
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