Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S.
See book keywords and concepts |
 Phytoestrogens in soy resemble real estrogen but have weaker properties. The reason they're thought to be good is that they can fit into the parking spaces meant for estrogen without doing any of estrogen's potential damage.
When estrogen levels are low, as in peri- and postmenopause states, phytoestrogens act as estrogen supplements. When they're high, phytoestrogens can help bring them down gently (they're generally thought to be about Vu as strong as the real deal). phytoestrogens can therefore help balance either excess estrogen or insufficient estrogen. |
Dr. Sharon Moalem
See book keywords and concepts |
 Clover, sweet potato, and soy all belong to a group of plants that contain a class of chemicals called phytoestrogens. Sounds familiar, right? It should. phytoestrogens mimic the effect of animal sex hormones such as estrogen. When animals eat too much of a plant that contains phytoestrogens, the overload of estrogenlike compounds wreaks havoc on their reproductive capability.
There was a sheep-breeding crisis in Western Australia during the 1940s. Otherwise healthy sheep weren't getting pregnant or were losing their young before giving birth. |
Elaine Magee
See book keywords and concepts |
 Vitamin C boosts the effectiveness of phytoestrogens. Vitamin C may boost the effectiveness of certain phytoestrogens' ability to inhibit the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, according to researchers at the University of Southern California. In lab experiments using LDL isolated from adult blood samples, they found that increasing amounts of three phytoestrogens (genis-tein, daidzein, and equol) inhibited LDL oxidation; this protective effect was even more powerful when ascorbic acid (vitamin C) was present, too. Genis-tein and daidzein are the isoflavones found in soy and soy products. |
Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S.
See book keywords and concepts |
| Isoflavones are plant-based, estrogen-like compounds that are found in soy; they're also known as phytoestrogens (phyto means "plant"). phytoestrogens in soy resemble real estrogen but have weaker properties. The reason they're thought to be good is that they can fit into the parking spaces meant for estrogen without doing any of estrogen's potential damage.
When estrogen levels are low, as in peri- and postmenopause states, phytoestrogens act as estrogen supplements. |
Herbert Ross, DC with Keri Brenner, L.Ac.
See book keywords and concepts |
 Genistein and other similar compounds known as phytoestrogens are plant compounds that can block the body's more potent estrogens (and xenoestrogens) from attaching to cell receptor sites—the places where estrogens exert their effects on the body. phytoestrogens tend to balance estrogen in the body.32
Soy foods have received a lot of attention, and accolades, because they're thought to play a role in the healthy aging of many Asian populations— and the low incidence of breast cancer among Asian women. But be aware that these cultures use soy foods in moderation, and mostly in fermented forms. |
Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S.
See book keywords and concepts |
| When they're high, phytoestrogens can help bring them down gently (they're generally thought to be about Vu as strong as the real deal). phytoestrogens can therefore help balance either excess estrogen or insufficient estrogen. But unfermented soy products have more powerful estrogenic properties and can lead to further imbalances and unwanted effects
Bottom line: If you're going to eat soy, do as the Asians do. Don't overdo it and make sure it's fermented. |
Michael Pollan
See book keywords and concepts |
 But it is unclear whether these so-called phytoestrogens actually behave like estrogen in the body or only fool it into thinking they're estrogen. Either way the phytoestrogens might have an effect (good or bad) on the growth of certain cancers, the symptoms of menopause, and the function of the endocrine system. Because of these uncertainties, the FDA has declined to grant GRAS ("generally regarded as safe") status to soy isoflavones used as a food additive. |
Elaine Magee
See book keywords and concepts |
| Vitamin C may boost the effectiveness of certain phytoestrogens' ability to inhibit the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, according to researchers at the University of Southern California. In lab experiments using LDL isolated from adult blood samples, they found that increasing amounts of three phytoestrogens (genis-tein, daidzein, and equol) inhibited LDL oxidation; this protective effect was even more powerful when ascorbic acid (vitamin C) was present, too. Genis-tein and daidzein are the isoflavones found in soy and soy products. |
Ron Garner
See book keywords and concepts |
 Other food products such as those made from soy contain phytoestrogens, naturally occurring estrogens that are reported to be at much higher levels than those found in meat products. Several scientific studies have linked high levels of phytoestrogens to many hormonal problems, including early puberty in girls.31
When we understand how such foods are grown, processed, chemicalized, and promoted to the public, these hormonal side effects should not be too surprising. Excess estrogen, or xenoestrogens, in the body can produce a myriad of undesirable symptoms. |
C. W. Randolph, M.D.
See book keywords and concepts |
 Phytoestrogens. phytoestrogens are naturally occurring estrogenic compounds that are found in a variety of herbs of and spices, such as red clover, black cohosh, chasteberry, and dong quai. Some of the strongest phytoestrogen-containing foods are soy products, including soybeans, soy milk, tofu, tempeh, textured vegetable protein, roasted soybeans, soy granules, miso, and edamame. Although their chemical structure resembles estrogen, it is much less powerful than human estrogen; in fact, its effectiveness is just a thousandth of human estrogen's effectiveness. |
Dr. Sharon Moalem
See book keywords and concepts |
| It should. phytoestrogens mimic the effect of animal sex hormones such as estrogen. When animals eat too much of a plant that contains phytoestrogens, the overload of estrogenlike compounds wreaks havoc on their reproductive capability.
There was a sheep-breeding crisis in Western Australia during the 1940s. Otherwise healthy sheep weren't getting pregnant or were losing their young before giving birth. Everyone was stumped until some bright agricultural specialists discovered the little culprit—European clover. |
| Yams aren't the only source of phytoestrogens in the human diet. Soy is rich in a phytoestrogen called genistein. It's worth noting that today many processed foods, including commercial baby formulas, use soy because it's an inexpensive source of nutrition. There's a growing concern among a small number of scientists that we don't have a handle on the potential long-term effects of what seems to be an ever-greater level of phytoestrogens and soy in our diet. plants are good at birth control—but they're great at poison. |
Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S.
See book keywords and concepts |
 Because the lignans in flax are actually phytoestrogens (weak estrogenic compounds from plants), they may help relieve menopausal symptoms. In fact, in one study, flaxseed was as effective as hormone replacement therapy in reducing mild menopausal symptoms in menopausal women.
WORTH NOTING
Some high-quality flaxseed oils have been specially designed to have a high lignan content. Look for those. And remember, never cook with the oil, just keep it in the fridge and either take it as a supplement or use it on salads or already-cooked vegetables. |
Bottom Line Health
See book keywords and concepts |
| Menopausal discomfort. The phytoestrogens in soy are metabolized in the body into equol, an estrogen-like compound. Soy seems to be most effective for women who experience five or more hot flashes a day—it can reduce hot-flash frequency by up to 40%. Some menopausal women who eat soy also notice an improvement in vaginal dryness.
•Diabetic renal disease. One of the most serious complications of diabetes is kidney disease, which can lead to kidney failure. Substituting soy for animal protein lowers the glomerular filtration rate, a measure of kidney stress, and may slow kidney damage. |
| Isoflavones, known as phytoestrogens, enhance the ability of arteries to relax and/or dilate, improving blood flow. This is true for men and women.
•Soy lowers blood pressure by as much as 15 points, according to some studies. Other studies, however, have shown more modest or no effects.
•Soy has linolenic acid, which may reduce heart disease mortality by 20%.
•Prostate cancer. Japanese men have significantly less incidence of prostate cancer than American men, possibly due to soy. |
| SOY: A LITTLE GOES A LONG WAY
Soybeans contain many anticarcinogenic compounds, including the phytoestrogen genistein. phytoestrogens are plant chemicals that mimic the effects of natural estrogen—and help prevent it from causing cancerous changes in cells in both women and men.
Just one daily serving of soy (one cup of soy milk, one-half cup of tofu, one-half cup of soybeans) may reduce the risk for some breast and prostate cancers.
What most people don't know: Soy foods, such as soybeans, tofu and tempeh, are also good sources of cancer-fighting omega-3s. |
Marshall Editions
See book keywords and concepts |
 Soy phyto-estrogens as well as the phytoestrogens found in celery, parsley, whole grains (flax in particular), and alfalfa are weak estrogens that may be helpful. Plant medicine that contains estrogens includes Dong Quai, licorice root, chaste berries, and black cohosh. |
| Its benefits are probably due to compounds called \ I I I isoflavones (sometimes referred to as phytoestrogens) that have hormonal ^ Y activity. Red clover can be ingested as a tea (made from 1-2 g and taken once to three times daily) or Vi dropper full of an alcohol or glycerin tincture can be taken three times a day. However, the most effective preparation of red clover appears to be capsules of a semi-purified leaf extract where the standardization to the percentage of isoflavones is listed specifically on the bottle. |
Mehmet C. Oz., M.D. and Michael F. Roizen, M.D.
See book keywords and concepts |
 That's because things such as the soil in which the product grows can influence those levels of phytoestrogens, meaning that there's really no way of knowing whether you're reaping benefits or not (or risking problems if you're a woman with an estrogen-responsive breast cancer). Many studies in which soy supplements were used to treat menopausal symptoms have proved inconclusive. But that doesn't mean you ought to toss soy to the back of the fridge for good. |
Tori Hudson, N.D.
See book keywords and concepts |
 Some plant compounds, such as lig-nans, found in flaxseed, are not phytoestrogens but are converted to estrogens in the intestines. There are many herbs that contain phytoestrogen compounds and have a role in amenorrhea. They support the reproductive cycle and relieve menopausal symptoms in women who are appropriately menopausal (see Chapter 12) as well as women who are amenorrheic and prematurely menopausal. |
J. Douglas Bremner
See book keywords and concepts |
 Fennel, celery, parsley, and all legumes are excellent sources of phytoestrogens (natural estrogens found in plants).
Hot flashes can be treated with several commonsense noninvasive approaches. Keep cool. Drink ice water throughout the day. Even a slight increase in your body's core temperature can trigger a hot flash. If you dress in layers you can remove and add clothing as your feelings of warmth rise and fall. Simple as it sounds, opening windows and using fans or air conditioners, even in the winter and especially at night when you are sleeping, helps keep you cool. |
Tori Hudson, N.D.
See book keywords and concepts |
| Flaxseed contains a group of phytoestrogens called lignans that have been shown to have weakly estrogenic and antiestrogenic properties. Two specific lignans, enterodiol and enterolac-tone, are absorbed after formation in the intestinal tract from plant precursors particularly abundant in flaxseed.
The ingestion of flaxseed powder and its effect on the menstrual cycle was studied in 18 normally cycling women.1 Each woman consumed her usual omnivorous, low-fiber diet for three cycles and her usual diet supplemented with 10 grams per day of flaxseed for another three cycles. |
J. Douglas Bremner
See book keywords and concepts |
| They are usually prepared from plants, and are also known as phytoestrogens. Since they are natural, pharmaceutical companies cannot patent them. For this reason the natural hormones have not been studied, although they are available for use. They are probably preferable to the synthetic and animal preparations and might have fewer negative health consequences; however, we can't say that they don't cause the cancers and other negative health consequences that have been shown with HRT. Since they are the same thing, I suspect they do. |
Bottom Line Health
See book keywords and concepts |
| These seasonings contain very small amounts of phytoestrogens (plant-based estrogens, such as lignans and isoflavones, that occur naturally in certain foods) and can help restore hormone balance.
•Cut down on caffeine. Caffeine stimulates the adrenal glands, leading to a spike in blood sugar levels followed by a plunge in blood sugar to levels even lower than before. This stresses the body and aggravates menopausal woes.
If you don't want to give up coffee completely, have one cup a day with food. Don't use coffee as a stimulant between meals. Instead, eat frequent small meals for energy. |
Ron Garner
See book keywords and concepts |
| By contrast, almost no phytoestrogens have been detected in dairy-based infant formula or in human milk, even when the mother consumes soy products.16
Fitzpatrick's research confirmed problems Richard and Valerie James were encountering with their own two children, and which other parents were recounting to them about children fed soy-based formula. These included extreme emotional behavior, asthma, problems with immune systems, pituitary insufficiencies, thyroid disorders, and bowel irritations.
Another report, presented to the Third International Soy Symposium by Dr. |
| Analysis of the bird feed revealed high levels of phytoestrogens, mainly genistein. With the discontinuation of the soy-based feed, the birds gradually returned to normal reproduction and behaviors.
Fallon and Enig go on to point out how further research revealed serious problems in humans who consumed soy.
In 1992, the Swiss health service estimated that 100 grams of soy protein provided the estrogenic equivalent of the pill. ... But it was the isofiavones in infant formula that gave the Jameses the most cause for concern. |
| Several scientific studies have linked high levels of phytoestrogens to many hormonal problems, including early puberty in girls.31
When we understand how such foods are grown, processed, chemicalized, and promoted to the public, these hormonal side effects should not be too surprising. Excess estrogen, or xenoestrogens, in the body can produce a myriad of undesirable symptoms. |
Tori Hudson, N.D.
See book keywords and concepts |
| We attribute most of its gynecological effects to its "estrogen-like" action, yet recent research has shown that black cohosh does not contain phytoestrogens, nor does it change hormone levels such as estradiol, LH, FSH or prolactin.21-23 The primary constituents in black cohosh extract are glycosides, particularly the triterpene glycosides, mainly cimicifugoside and actein, which are assumed to interfere with pituitary gland receptors and the hypothalamus. |
Email this page to a friend
