Phytoestrogens are plant chemicals that interact with estrogen receptors in the human body. They are structurally similar to prescription medications, but there is a stunning difference. Phytoestrogens have a very weak estrogen-like effect and the net effect of use might sometimes be classified as an anti-estrogen.
Phytoestrogens such as isoflavonoids, lignans, and other products found in soy, clover, beans, bran and other plants fall into the classification. In a recent article, evidence was reviewed concerning the use of these chemicals as a replacement for their prescriptive medication counterparts in standard estrogen replacement therapy given to post-menopausal women. The article appeared in the May 14th 2001 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.
Estrogen Replacement Therapy (ERT) is recommended for postmenopausal women, basically for three reasons. First, to reduce the symptoms of menopause, secondly, to slow or prevent the bone loss of osteoporosis and, finally, to abate or prevent cardio-vascular disease. Statistically, however, only 35 to 40% of women ever start ERT and many women do not continue once started. One reason given for reluctance to ERT is that women consider taking estrogens as unnatural.
It is for this reason that many women considered and have started plant-extracted estrogenic-like (phytoestrogenic) substances. The article in the Archives was based on 74 of the more than thousands of identified articles published in the last 30 years concerning phytoestrogens. The articles chosen were based on their relevance to the subject, design of the study discussed and the inclusion of human subjects.
The authors of the analysis results conclude, the beneficial evidence is increasing - that the proven benefits of ERT estrogen replacement therapy far overshadow those of the phytoestrogens. The studies, on which the conclusions were based, examined the phytoestrogen’s inhibition of cancer cell lines in vitro and in animals. They also examined the role of the phytos in lowering of cholesterol levels and the use of one phyto in particular ipriflavone in the prevention of osteoporosis. A few lesser studies concerned themselves with the abatement of menopausal symptoms.
Although evidence for the value of the phytoestrogens is increasing, clinically proven health benefits of prescribed ERT therapy is still the treatment of choice. There is, currently, too little evidence to support the replacement of prescriptive medication with phytoestrogen therapy. Though this goes against the pseudo-wisdom and claims of the purveyors of “All Natural” medication for osteoporosis and menopausal symptoms, the best advice is, stick with the proven winners. Sometimes natural isn’t better after all.
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