Phytoestrogen; Natural
womenĄŻs hormone
Estrogen and
Women
Most women are very concerned about aging, particularly,
the effects brought about by the aging process.
For the average women, menstruation cycles end at
48-50 years of age when the reproductive system
stops or slows down functioning. The body experiences
dramatic changes due to lower estrogen levels: the
body's systems and its functions begin to decelerate
and the immune system weakens, accordingly menopausal
women will usually experience both psychological
and physiological changes. These symptoms are often
relieved with synthetic estrogen replacement therapy
Synthetic estrogens have negative side effects,
some of which can be quite serious, as recently
revealed in the news.
What are Phytoestrogens™
Phytoestrogens are plant-derived compounds that
mimic an estrogen-like effect. Phytoestrogens are
similar, but not identical to the estrogen manufactured
in the body. They have an effect, which addresses
most (but not all) of the same bodily functions
as does the real estrogen hormone.
When estrogen levels are low, as in menopause,
empty estrogen receptor sites can be filled by
phytoestrogens, exerting a weak estrogen-like
effect.(1. Eden J. Phytoestrogens and the menopause.
Baillieres Clin Endocrinol.Metab 1998;581-7.,
2. Ramsey LA, Ross BS, Fischer RG. Phytoestrogens
and the management of menopause. Adv Nurse Pract
1999;26-30., 3. Seidl MM, Stewart DE. Alternative
treatments for menopausal symptoms. Systematic
review of scientific and lay literature. Can.Fam
Physician 1998;1299-308.)
Phytoestrogen have got dual function as an agonist
or antagonist of estrogen.
If estrogen levels are high, as in some women
who suffer from PMS and other effects of estrogen
dominance, phytoestrogens can compete with the
body's estrogens for receptor binding sites, effectively
lowering estrogenic activity in the body by exerting
a weaker estrogen
 -like
effect at the receptor site.(1. Holt S. Phytoestrogens
for a healthier menopause. Alt and Comp Ther 1997;11-6.,
2. Huber J. [Phytoestrogens and SERMS, alternatives
to classical hormone therapy?]. Ther Umsch. 2000;651-4.6;7)
Addressing estrogen balance is an important long
and short-term strategy for maintaining optimum
health in women.
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