Phytoestrogens are natural compounds or nutrients found in plants that simulate the functions of estrogen in the body. In several studies about phytoestrogens, the two major nutrients found in plants with potent estrogen-like activities in the body were isoflavonoids from soy and lignans in nuts and seeds.
Research needs to continue in order to determine if they truly benefit women. The use of phytoestrogens is promising and they may offer the following advantages for women:
1. Phytoestrogens Benefit Your Body: There are many benefits that women can get from the intake of phytoestrogens, including:
- Phytoestrogens May Help Relieve Menopausal Symptoms.Most women in menopause or their transition to menopause undergo hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to alleviate menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes, mood swings,
osteoporosis and depression. While synthetic hormones used in HRT works well for some women, other women suffer from undesirable side effects of these hormones. As a result, many of them resort to natural remedies, such as phytoestrogens.
In a 2001 research analysis published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, the authors established there is not enough scientific evidence to verify that phytoestrogens can effectively serve as an alternative to hormone replacement therapy.They came to their conclusion after evaluating a total of 74 studies on phytoestrogens. On the other hand, the authors noted that evidence on the benefits of phytoestrogens continues to grow in numbers.
- Phytoestrogens May Encourage Breast Growth.Because phytoestrogens have estrogen-like functions, it is possible that they can also stimulate breast growth.
According to health experts, this idea still remains On the other hand, the use of plants and herbs for breast growth started existing hundreds of years ago and continued to exist until today.
Breast massage oils make use of extracts from phytoestrogen-rich plants, such as flaxseed oil or sesame oil. Some diet remedies include these types of plants for breast growth.
Phytoestrogen compounds are also present in topical products for breast enhancement. One of these products is TotalCurve Firming and Lifting gel, which also contains a potent ingredient called Volufiline that can effectively increase breast size in 60 days. You can use it together with the TotalCurve supplement that also contains phytoestrogens. These two products can work together to give the best possible results.
- Phytoestrogens Reduce Your Risks For Cancer. In one study published in the Journal of Epidemiology, which included over 800 women, they found that phytoestrogens lower the risk of endometrial cancer with its protective properties. In the duration of nine years, those who ate phytoestrogen-rich diets were 54 percent less likely to develop cancer.
In another study, phytoestrogens have antioxidant properties that can protect cells from damage. The researchers stressed that certain places or regions with highest consumption of phytoestrogens had the lowest cancer rates.
- Phytoestrogens Lowers Your Risks For Stroke. Strokes are one of the leading causes of death in older women. Carotid artery disease is one of the most common causes of stroke. This occurs when plaque accumulates in the arteries or atherosclerosis on both sides of the neck, blocking the flow of blood. As a result, the plaque buildup prevents the oxygen from reaching the brain. Phytoestrogens can help improve lipid profile to inhibit plaque buildup, thus preventing stroke.
2. Foods And Herbs That Contain Phytoestrogens: Foods and herbs are good sources of phytoestrogens. Some of these foods are common in your daily diet while the herbs are commonly used in traditional medicine:
- Black Cohosh–Black cohoshan herb widely used in Eastern North America and Europe to regulate the menstrual cycle and relieve dysmenorrhea and symptoms of menopause. Black cohosh has nutritional contents related to phytoestrogens. In fact, there are studies that suggest black cohosh can alleviate the effects of estrogen-only hormone replace therapy, including breast cancer. It encourages menstrual flow for women with absent or irregular menstrual periods while it also slows down heavy menstrual flow.
- Mood swings and depression are common in women with menopause or the transition to menopause. Black cohosh together with another herb St. John’s Wort interacts with serotonin receptors,which may help lighten the mood.
- Black cohosh is safe to use. It does not adversely react with other medications, and its constituents won’t affect lactation and won’t get into the breast milk.
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Wild Yam–Wild yam is a good source of both progesterone and estrogen. Progesterone from wild yam is a derivative of another compound diosgenin,whichthe body can’t process.
Thus, eating wild yams won’t be helpful for progesterone purposes. On the contrary, wild yam is a traditional treatment for menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes, mood swings and sleeplessness.
- Flaxseed–Flaxseed is one of the most abundant sources of phytoestrogens in the form of lignans due to its omega-3-fatty acid content. It helps alleviate hot flashes in menopausal women. It is also rich in fiber that helps lower cholesterol levels in postmenopausal women. Other lignans food sources are nuts, legumes, cereals, fruits and vegetables.
- Soy–Next to flaxseed, soy is also one of the best sources of phytoestrogens in the form of genistein and isoflavones. Initial research reveals that soy can prevent osteoporosis by keeping the bones It can also lower the risk of breast cancer.
Soy products with phytoestrogen concentrations are tofu, edamame and tempeh. The majority of women who prefer natural remedies for breast enlargement prefer soy, soy-based foods and soy-based products.
- Red Clover–It is an herb also rich in isoflavones that tame hot flashes and prevent bone loss during menopause.
3. Phytoestrogens As An Alternative Treatment: Women muse use caution when considering the use of phytoestrogens as an alternative treatment. They should do thorough research beforehand and consult with a physician or specialist.
There is no solid proof that phytoestrogens can significantly supplement low estrogen levels. Additionally, some research findings indicate that genistein, a phytoestrogen, may inhibit the effect of tamoxifen, the breast cancer drug.
If you have an estrogen-sensitive condition, it is important to avoid consuming large quantities of food with phytoestrogens. You don’t have to completely avoid foods with phytoestrogens, since they also contain other essential nutrients necessary for maintaining health and body functions.
Before using phytoestrogens as a supplement or as a prevention or cure for any medical condition, check with your doctor first. Self- medicating without a doctor’s attention can lead to complications that can seriously do more harm than help you.