Originally published December 14 2005
Experts recommend alternative therapies to replace hormone replacement
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
WebMD details several natural alternatives to hormone replacement therapy for women seeking other cures, and some natural remedies include soy, red clover and flaxseed.
In the world of women's health, it could be the decision of decisions: Should I take hormone replacement therapy?
The considerations can be so deep, and the scientific debates so confusing, many women are turning to herbal and food supplements, hoping they will calm the symptoms of menopause while staving off heart disease and osteoporosis.
Though the science is still young, research offers some encouragement for women seeking non-pharmaceutical ways to cut down on mood swings and hot flashes.
The most widely cited natural remedy is soy, which is very high in phytoestrogens, or plant estrogens.
That's why scientists believe that soy doesn't promote breast cancer the way other hormones may.
"Soy can decrease hot flashes and lower cholesterol, and it seems to have some beneficial effects on bone density," said Susan Love MD, medical director of the Santa Barbara Breast Cancer Institute and author of two books on breast cancer and hormones.
In fact, according to a study published in the September 1999 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine, people who ate soy protein, along with a low-fat diet, saw their "bad" (LDL) cholesterol levels diminish by up to 10%.
A 1996 study at the University of Illinois found that postmenopausal women who ate soy protein along with a low-fat diet kept their bone density readings from falling.
European and American clinical studies have shown that black cohosh is effective for hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms.
Greenwood is far less impressed with wild yam creams, which have also been marketed to relieve menopausal symptoms.
Physicians say that preventing heart disease, osteoporosis and cancer often boils down to lifestyle, one that includes regular exercise and a healthy diet.
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