Phytoestrogens

1. Phytoestrogens Skip Wyss, Corey Roth, Leah Bonde, Tessa Gryglewski, Carrie Mashl Jaclyn Katers,

2. Menopause Begins in your late 40s and early 50s Decrease in steroid production in the ovaries Decrease in Estrodial, (Esrtone) Increase in Androgens, (androstenedione)

3. Symptoms of Menopause Hot Flashes Night Sweats Vaginal Dryness Loss of Libido Urinary symptoms Skin Changes Difficulty with intercourse Irritability Anxiety

4. Treatment of Menopause Estrogen Replacement Therapy (ERT) thought to cause cancer Replaced by Phytoestrogens Taken in through diet. Better form of estrogen therapy

5. What are Phytoestrogens? chemicals found in plants that act similar to the female hormone estrogen but are much weaker than estrogen

6. What are Cont... 2 Main Types of Phytoestrogens Lignans believed to reduce the risk of certain cancers, like breast cancer Isoflavones known for their effects on estrogen metabolism and female health

7. Sources of Phytoestrogens found in many common plants soybeans and soy products soymilk and tofu are the richest red clover (richest in Isoflavones) flaxseed lentils and many beans sunflower and sesame seeds green and yellow vegetables (to some extent)

8. What Do They Do… Phytoestrogens have estrogenic and anti-estrogenic activities in humans. They are structurally similar to mammalian estrogen, estradiol, and have estrogenic properties. However, their estrogenic activity is generally much less than that of human estrogens. Phytoestrogens are seen to show a positive correlation with Asian women who eat a lot of them, and a lowered incidence of menopausal symptoms within the Asian population.

9. What Do They Do… Phytoestrogens have about 1/500 to 1/1000 the activity of estradiol. Therefore, phytoestrogens can act as anti- estrogenic effects by blocking the estrogen receptors and exerting weaker estrogenic effects. It is very important to appreciate that estrogenic compounds such as phytoestrogens can be agonistic or antagonistic to estradiol. Most Studies done as of present are to review the effects of phytoestrogens in place of HRT.

10. Phytoestrogen Effects Studies are not conclusive at this time but show that eating a lot of soy, which contains phytoestrogens can lead to… Moderately less bone loss Lower total and LDL cholesterol Slightly relieve the symptoms of menopause, but far less effectively than estrogen. Lowered risks of cancers such as breast, ovarian, and prostate.

11. Phytoestrogens and Cancers Optimistic Findings Incidence of hormone associated cancer is much higher in industrialized western societies when compared to Asian populations (believed to be linked with consumption of soy) Study found significant reduction in breast-cancer risk among women with high intakes of some forms of phytoestrogens Study found that women with breast cancer had generally lower levels of phytoestrogen in urine than healthy women Increased consumption of fruits and vegetables containing phytoestrogens have been linked to the reduction of breast cancer 4-5 servings lowers risk by 46% instead of only 2 servings

12. Phytoestrogens and Cancers Cont… Negative Findings Factors beside soy intake may contribute to Asian populations having a low cancer rate, while Western populations have a significantly greater rate of cancer, such as low fat diets Study found that the some phytoestrogens stimulated growth of estrogen-dependent breast cancer cell lines Some studies show soy has a week protective affect in regards to cancers Animal studies show dietary soy may promote tumor growth

13. Phytoestrogens and Cancers Cont… Xenoestrogens (environmental oestrogens) related to an increased rate of cancer Related to an increase of breast tumors in women Sources: Chlorinated hydrocarbons DDT PCBs Contraceptive pill

14. Phytoestrogens and Cancers Cont… Inconclusive Evidence What can be generalized from the findings of these studies are inconclusive Cannot determine which is the cause and which is the effect Increased vegetable products at expense of animal fat may lead to decreased susceptibility to cancer Do not know if taking soy and alfalfa concentrate supplements work

15. Effects of Phytoestrogens on Cholesterol Two types of Cholesterol HDL=Good take LDL out of the blood back to the liver LDL=bad can oxidize causing a build up of plaques and eventually lead to Cardiovascular Disease

16. Effects on Cholesterol Cont.. Due the decrease in Estrogen, the stored cholesterol will be released into the blood stream, thus causing an increase of LDL. Testosterone has the same effect in men. This is why Cardiovascular Disease in most common in men until women hit menopause, then they will even out.

17. Effects on Cholesterol Cont.. Soya products reduce the LDL cholesterol this will help out the HDL in reuptake this must happen in order to ensure open/clear arteries and a healthy heart

18. Effects on Osteoporosis means “porous bone” this is a result of the thinning of the bones Decrease in Estrogen will cause an decrease in osteoblast production. Increase in osteoclasts Stimulate break down of bony matrix. Increase in Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) Phytoestrogens add a form of estrogen back into the blood stream. Stimulation of Blast, Inhibition of Clast & PTH

19. Toxicity of Phytoestrogens Have potential mutagenic, carcinogenic and teratogenic properties Phytoestrogen absorption and metabolism must be taken into affect to account for their safety and efficacy Recent study states that phytoestrogens can cause harm in animals and is being researched for potential damage to infants using Soya products They have been shown to induce infertility in certain animals Possible increase in colon and stomach cancer, depending on exposure and duration of product

20. Soya Products Soya is found in foods such as soya sauces, miso, and tempeh These are considered safe to eat because of long fermentation process Soya is the second most common allergen in the US Can also be found in certain breakfast cereals, ice cream, convenience foods (hamburgers, fish), baked goods, tortillas, etc. Some claim the importance of only eating organically processed foods whenever possible

21. Soya Products Cont. Contains high quantities of toxic chemicals that are not rendered down by the long cooking process Block the body’s uptake of minerals, hinder protein ingestion, inhibits oxygen take up and growth Women should be warned not to feed their babies soya products, there is a two fold increase of developing thyroid abnormalities, retarded physical maturation and early onset of puberty for girls

22. Sources used http://www.findarticles.com/cf_dls/m0813/1_27/59210038/p1/article.jhtml http://www.cancernet.co.uk/phytoestrogens.htm http://breastcancer.about.com/cs/soy/index.htm http://herbsforhealth.about.com/library/weekly/aa022799.htm Bauer, Class Notes, Biology of Women, 2004