2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
Mentioning the word hormones, most people think of sex. Testosterone and estrogen perform a number of important functions that are related not only to sexual energy, but also to maintaining good health.
Reaching a certain age, a number of changes occur in a woman's body, which are associated with a decrease in the amount of these hormones. Therefore, an alternative is needed to compensate for this loss.
In some cases, natural medicines are better than synthetic medicines. They are this alternative phytoestrogens or the so-called isoflavonoids.
Estrogen in the female body takes care of its balance. In large quantities, it can cause irritability or bouts of tenderness that are associated with premenstrual syndrome.
Estrogen deficiency contributes to hot flashes and bone loss during menopause. Phytoestrogens have the ability to bind to estrogen receptors in the body's cells.
Estrogen functions
Phytoestrogens are substances of plant origin that are an analogue of female sex hormones. When they enter a woman's body, they regulate the synthesis and compensate for the lack of estrogen to the level necessary for a woman's health and appearance. Phytoestrogens they do not have nutritional properties because their absence does not lead to deficiency.
In general phytoestrogens are a heterogeneous group of different compounds - flavonols, catechins, flavonoids, flavones and anthocyanins. From a medical point of view, there are two main classes of interest - lignans and isoflavones.
Lignans - have antioxidant action, regulate hormonal balance and increase hormone production.
They have a pronounced beneficial effect on the body of women during menopause. High levels of lignans have been linked to a reduced risk of colon cancer.
Isoflavones are substances that strengthen the immune system. They have the strongest effect among plant estrogens. Isoflavones reduce complaints during menopause (especially hot flashes) and prevent cancer. Their antioxidant effect is enhanced when used concomitantly with vitamin C.
As a result of these actions, isoflavones are thought to play an important role in the prevention of cardiovascular disease, cancer, osteoporosis and menopausal symptoms.
Sources of phytoestrogens
Large amounts of lignans are found in cereals and fatty seeds, especially flax and hemp seeds. Accumulations of isoflavones are found mainly in the grains, fruits, pods, roots and leaves of plants.
Rich sources of isoflavones are beans, lentils, wheat, rye, corn. Soy products are especially rich. Soy isoflavones have low estrogens, and the most important of them for human health are daizen and genisten.
Additives containing them are distributed in the pharmaceutical network phytoestrogens and aim to relieve the symptoms of menopause in women. They are also used in cosmetics.
Many creams are advertised that help tighten, thicken and enlarge the bust. It is known that women whose bodies do not produce enough estrogen have a small bust. However, the use of such creams should be agreed with your doctor.
Phytoestrogen overdose
Opinions of scientists on the influence of phytoestrogens are too contradictory. They believe that excessive use of these plant hormones can lead to serious damage to women's health.
Scientists warn the fairer sex not to overdo it with soy products, because too much estrogen in the body increases the risk of developing breast cancer.
Studies show that in small doses phytoestrogens they act similarly to human sex hormones (estrogens), but in large doses threaten their production and action.
To obtain the desired effect of taking phytoestrogens, the best solution is timely consultation with a specialist. He must determine the necessary amounts so that phytoestrogens are beneficial to health.
