Benefits for premenopausal and post-menopausal women

Benefits for premenopausal and post-menopausal women

What are phytoestrogens? Benefits and foods

Phytoestrogens are a natural compound found in plants and plant-based foods. When eaten, they may affect a person in the same way as estrogen produced by the body.

This article explores the health benefits and risks of phytoestrogens. It also lists foods that are high in phytoestrogens.

What are phytoestrogens?

Soy foods, including soybeans, tofu, miso, and tempeh, contain phytoestrogens.

Phytoestrogens or dietary estrogens are naturally occurring compounds found in plants. Many of these plants are already part of a person’s diet.

Estrogen is a hormone released in a woman’s body that regulates her menstrual cycle. The body’s endocrine system is responsible for producing this hormone.

In adolescence, estrogen plays a role in the development of a woman’s breasts, armpit hair, and pubic hair. Up until the menopause, estrogen controls a woman’s periods.

Foods that contain phytoestrogens include:

• vegetables
• fruit
• some grains
• legumes

When a person eats plant-based foods that contain phytoestrogens, they may have a similar effect to estrogen produced by the body. For this reason, phytoestrogens are known as dietary estrogens.

There are phytoestrogen supplements, but getting these from natural food sources is a better choice.

Why is that significant?

Food intake now is viewed negatively by the “bad bacteria” (Ko, 2020). The inflammation makes the intestine more porous, and absorption of less desirable components of the diet occurs. Unfortunately, the signals from the inflamed intestine to the brainstem are “we need to slow down.” Energy expenditure decreases, our activities decline, and the result is deposition of visceral fat around and in the mid-abdomen (Duval, 2013). Worse, the visceral fat is the generator of inflammatory proteins that are linked to many of the menopausal symptoms (Lam, 2011). And, these same inflammatory proteins then are fed directly into our liver and circulation to alter carbohydrate metabolism (increasing the risk of diabetes and heart disease) (Lobo, 2008).

How do phytoestrogens work?

Phytoestrogens imitate estrogen because their chemical structure is very similar to that of estrogen from the body.

When phytoestrogens enter the body, the body’s estrogen receptors treat them as if they were estrogen. Phytoestrogens are endocrine disruptors because they are chemicals that disrupt normal hormonal function.

However, phytoestrogens do not bind to estrogen receptors as firmly as estrogen produced by the body, so their effects may be weaker.

Benefits

Phytoestrogens may help to naturally manage hormone imbalances, making them beneficial for women near menopause.

Phytoestrogens may be beneficial for women looking to rebalance their hormones as they approach menopause.

During perimenopause, which is the period before a woman reaches menopause and stops menstruating, the hormone levels in her body will fluctuate and cause a variety of symptoms.

Perimenopause usually starts in a woman’s 40s and lasts until menopause. Symptoms of perimenopause include:

• hot flashes
• tender breasts
• low sex drive
• tiredness
• irregular periods
• mood swings

These symptoms can be unpleasant, and some women use hormone replacement therapy to help control them.

Phytoestrogens offer a natural alternative to the synthetic estrogen used in hormone replacement therapies.

Phytoestrogens also have a range of other potential benefits, including:

1. Relieving hot flashes

Phytoestrogens may help to relieve uncomfortable hot flashes. A 2014 study found that phytoestrogens reduced the frequency of hot flashes in menopausal women without any serious side effects.

2. Preventing osteoporosis

Estrogen deficiency after menopause can affect bone health and cause conditions such as osteoporosis.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can help remedy this and promote bone strength, but it may have uncomfortable side effects. Phytoestrogens may be a natural alternative.

A 2011 study found that phytoestrogens did help to combat postmenopausal osteoporosis.

However, researchers noted that there were some potential side effects. As the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) do not currently regulate phytoestrogens, the study did not recommend taking them for osteoporosis.

3. Combating menstrual issues

When a woman’s estrogen levels drop, it can affect mood and energy levels.

Some women try to eat foods rich in phytoestrogens during this time to balance their hormone levels and relieve symptoms.

More research is needed to support using phytoestrogens in this way.

4. Treating acne

When women get acne, the cause may be a rise in male hormones (androgens) in their bodies. Phytoestrogens may help to combat acne by rebalancing hormone levels.

A 2017 study partially supports this theory, but more research is needed to prove whether phytoestrogens are an effective acne treatment.

5. Fighting breast cancer

There have been some claims that phytoestrogens are beneficial for fighting hormonal cancers, such as breast cancer.

A 2009 study found that consuming soy foods decreased the risk of death and recurrence in women with breast cancer. Soy foods are rich in phytoestrogens.

Another study in 2015 found that phytoestrogens inhibited the growth of breast cancer cells. However, a further 2015 study suggested the role of phytoestrogens in breast cancer survival is complex and depends on what stage of menopause a woman is in.

More research is needed to fully understand whether phytoestrogens could play a useful role in cancer prevention and treatment. Phytoestrogens are not appropriate for all types of cancer. Anyone considering taking phytoestrogens should discuss it with their doctor first.

6. Promoting heart health

Phytoestrogens may support heart health. A 2016 study found that phytoestrogens helped to treat a condition that affects the arteries and improve heart health in postmenopausal women.

Risks and side effects

Studies show phytoestrogens may provide similar benefits to the synthetic estrogen used in hormone replacement therapy.

However, this does not mean that they are safer than synthetic estrogen. They act in a similar way and may carry the same risks. These may include increased risk of:

• obesity
• cancer
• problems with reproduction

This 2010 study found that high levels of soy in a woman’s diet could affect how her ovaries’ function.

It is believed to be healthful to eat a plant-based diet, and many plant foods contain phytoestrogens.

More research is needed to fully understand how phytoestrogens work, as it is not clear whether consuming them in high levels carries any health risks. Unless a person is taking phytoestrogen supplements, it is unlikely they could consume a harmful level, however.

A person should always speak to a doctor before starting to take any new supplements, including phytoestrogen.

Food list

The following foods groups are rich in phytoestrogens:

Nuts and seeds

Sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, and flaxseeds contain high levels of phytoestrogens.

The following nuts and seeds are high in phytoestrogens:

• flaxseeds
• sunflower seeds
• sesame seeds
• almonds
• walnuts

Fruits

Certain fruits are rich in phytoestrogens, including:

• apples
• carrots
• pomegranates
• strawberries
• cranberries
• grapes

Vegetables

Certain vegetables are a good source of phytoestrogens, including:

• yams
• lentils
• alfalfa sprouts
• mung beans
• sprouts

Soy products

Soy and soy products are rich in phytoestrogens. These include:

• soybeans
• tofu
• tempeh
• miso soup
• miso paste

Herbs

The following herbs contain phytoestrogens:

• red clover
• licorice root
• hops

Liquids

The following beverages and oils are sources of phytoestrogen:

• coffee
• bourbon
• beer
• red wine
• olive oil
• jasmine oil

Grains

Some grains contain phytoestrogens. These include:

• oats
• barley
• wheat germ

Takeaway

Phytoestrogens are plant-based compounds that mimic estrogen in the body. They have been found to be beneficial in combatting symptoms and conditions caused by estrogen deficiency. This may be of particular benefit to premenopausal and post-menopausal women.

Phytoestrogens may also play a role in fighting cancer. However, much more research is needed to understand this.

The risks of consuming high levels of phytoestrogens are not yet fully understood. Their side effects are likely to be similar to those of synthetic estrogen.

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WHY MENO-GLOW SKIN CARE

A COMPLETE SKIN REJUVENATION FOR ALL SKIN TYPES – Your answer to menopausal skincare concerns:

• Dry Skin
• Decreased elasticity
• Fine lines and wrinkles, especially around the eyes
• Thinning of the hair
• Facial flushing

Medically designed and scientifically formulated by a specialist plastic surgeon, Meno-Glow Skin Care addresses skin concerns related to menopause.

Our Meno-Glow Skin Care Range offers a simple skin care regime that facilitates skin rejuvenation and symptomatic relief of the issues caused by estrogen depletion.

Fine lines and wrinkles are reduced, the skin’s barrier function recovers, and sensitivity is significantly reduced.

What makes Meno-Glow Skin Care genuinely unique is how the formulation truly respects the skin.

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SOURCES:

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320630