Dear Jacqui:
I hear more and more about phytoestrogens. What are they and what do they do?
Lucy

Dear Lucy
Phytoestrogens are natural estrogens found in plant materials such as soy, black cohosh, licorice root and many others. There is an assumption and a few studies but no definitive proof that these natural estrogens, when ingested, bind with a woman's estrogen receptor sites in the body and boost her hormone levels.

Consequently, if these assumptions hold true, they would be beneficial in delivering protection against osteoporosis and other benefits generally associated with estrogen function. The reason there is increasing interest in natural estrogen is based on new hard data that established a substantially higher risk of breast cancer for women who have been on Hormone Replacement Therapy for five years or more.

Hormone Replacement drugs are made with synthetic estrogens and are generally thought to be more aggressive than natural estrogens. There is a fair amount of empirical evidence and a number of studies that document that women who eat a diet rich in phytoestrogens have fewer menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, sleep interruptions, emotional ups and downs, etc.

On the other hand, loading up on soy protein has its own problems. (click here for more info on the pros and contras of soy). If you are contemplating Hormone Replacement Therapy, natural or synthetic, it is a good idea to have your hormone levels checked first and then discuss the results with a medical practitioner who is not biased one way or another.

Jacqui




	What are Phytoestrogens? Dear Jacqui: I hear more and more about phytoestrogens. What are they and what do they do? Lucy Dear Lucy Phytoestrogens are natural estrogens found in plant materials such as soy, black cohosh, licorice root and many others. There is an assumption and a few studies but no definitive proof that these natural estrogens, when ingested, bind with a woman's estrogen receptor sites in the body and boost her hormone levels. Consequently, if these assumptions hold true, they would be beneficial in delivering protection against osteoporosis and other benefits generally associated with estrogen function. The reason there is increasing interest in natural estrogen is based on new hard data that established a substantially higher risk of breast cancer for women who have been on Hormone Replacement Therapy for five years or more. Hormone Replacement drugs are made with synthetic estrogens and are generally thought to be more aggressive than natural estrogens. There is a fair amount of empirical evidence and a number of studies that document that women who eat a diet rich in phytoestrogens have fewer menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, sleep interruptions, emotional ups and downs, etc. On the other hand, loading up on soy protein has its own problems. (click here for more info on the pros and contras of soy). If you are contemplating Hormone Replacement Therapy, natural or synthetic, it is a good idea to have your hormone levels checked first and then discuss the results with a medical practitioner who is not biased one way or another. Jacqui Copyright 2000 Brandwynne Corporation. All rights reserved.

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