Hormone and Health Formula
Hormonal problems affect many women and a minority of men. These problems include PMS, menopausalsymptoms, fibroids, ovarian cysts, endometriosis, polycystic breast disease and hormone-related cancers, of which cancer of the breast is the most common. Men also experience menopause-like symptoms, known as the andropause, which include loss of sex drive and motivation, weight gain, and enlarged breast tissue. Prostate enlargement and prostate and testicular cancer are also hormone-related conditions which are becoming more common.
Hormones are similar to neurotransmitters in that they act as chemical messengers. They are also made in the body from components taken in from diet. Not surprisingly, hormone-like substances abound in natural foods. However, it is only relatively recently that we have begun to recognise the extent to which foods that are rich in certain phytonutrients influence our hormonal health.
There are a number of ways in which specific food supplements can also help to balance our hormones. Vitamins and minerals, especially vitamins B3, B6, folic acid, biotin, vitamins C and E, zinc and magnesium, help the body to make hormones. And essential fats help the body to ‘read’ the hormone signals.
• PHYTO-OESTROGENS
Many foods contain hormone-like substances that affect the body’s hormone balance. Oestrogen-like plant compounds are often called phyto-oestrogens (phyto = plant). One might think that eating foods rich in phyto-oestrogens would be bad news. Yet the reverse seems to be true. Soya products, rich in the isoflavones genistein and diadzein, are reputed to protect against breast and prostate cancer, which are notably low among communities with a soya-based diet.
There are two possible explanations for this apparent contradiction. The first is that phyto-oestrogens may lock onto and block the body’s oestrogen receptors, thereby making it harder for harmful chemicals to disrupt hormone signals. The second is that these phytonutrients may act more like hormone regulators, rather than simply mimicking oestrogen or progesterone. Since mankind has been exposed to these plant chemicals for millennia, it is highly likely that our bodies have adapted to deal with them in the kinds of quantities we are exposed to from eating natural foods.
While the general consensus is in favour of eating foods rich in these phytonutrients in moderate amounts, there are also grounds for caution. One should not eat vast amounts of phyto-oestrogen-rich foods, especially at key phases of development, such as during pregnancy or early infancy. (Some animals exclusively fed on soya feed have shown symptoms of toxicity.)
Citrus fruit, wheat, alfalfa, hops, oats, fennel, celery and rhubarb all contain phyto-oestrogens. There is a small amount of evidence that these foods may help to balance hormones and could play a part in helping to reduce symptoms associated with hormonal imbalance.53
ISOFLAVONES
Soya products and tofu are both excellent sources of isoflavones, which are powerful phyto-oestrogens. Isoflavones are known to decrease the risk of hormone-related cancers, including breast and prostatic cancer.54 Two particular isoflavones have been identified — genistein and diadzein. An ideal intake for cancer prevention is 100-200mg a day, which is equivalent to a 350g serving of soya milk or a serving of tofu. Tofu, a curd made from the soya bean, is the richest source of isoflavones, while very processed soya products are the poorest source.55
You can now buy isoflavones in supplement form. Look on the label for a ‘fermented’ soya-based product, as these are more potent; and make sure that the active ingredients are in their `-ein’ formation not in the `-in’ formation. That is, look for 100mg tablets which contain approximately 700mg of genistein (not genestin), 680mg of diadzein (rather than diadzin) and 200mg of glycitein. You can take up to six of these tablets but do start slowly as you may have very good results on less rather than more.
HERBAL REMEDIES
Many herbal remedies are now available as supplements due to their beneficial effects on balancing hormones. The most popular and best proven remedies are shown below. They are best taken under the guidance of a qualified herbalist or clinical nutritionist. You can take the herbs in tea or capsule form — they are widely found in specially blended formulas.
The plant Vitex agnus castus, also known as chaste tree, has a long history. Traditionally, it has been used to relieve premenstrual and menopausal problems. One study, in which the herb was given to 1542 women, found that 90 per cent reported a significant reduction of PMS symptoms. Agnus castus has the effect of stimulating and normalising the function of the pituitary gland especially by helping to maintain the right progesterone balance. This herb works just as well, whether the person has a hormone excess or deficiency, because it acts as a regulator, helping to stabilise hormonal signals. It has also been shown to stimulate libido, reduce hot flushes, and help improve vaginal dryness, breast tenderness and menstrual cramps. Agnus castus does take some time to work — you may need to take it for 8-12 weeks before you get a result.
Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa), or black snake root, is an old Native American remedy. It contains phyto-oestrogens and is excellent for menopausal problems because it helps to balance female hormones. Black cohosh is also beneficial for painful menstruation, menstrual cramps and trouble-free childbirth. Do not take when menstruating or pregnant.
DONG QUAI AND WILD YAM
These both have progesterone-favourable effects on the body. Yams are especially rich in diosgenin, from which progesterone can be made, but only in the laboratory, not in the human body. We cannot turn these phytonutrients into progesterone itself, so, while these plants may help to balance hormones, they cannot eliminate the need for progesterone in a person who is progesterone-deficient. Both wild yam and dong quai are particularly good for menopausal problems such as sleeplessness, hot flushes and vaginal dryness. Wild yam is also useful for menstrual cramps.
GINSENG AND LICORICE
These are thought to contain quite powerful adaptogens’ (substances that help restore hormonal balance). For example, licorice appears to increase oestrogen when levels are too low and decrease oestrogen when levels are too high. Both licorice and ginseng support the adrenal hormones and so help protect us from stress.
Ginseng is a classic herbal remedy for increasing one’s ability to deal with stress. This is true of both Panax ginseng (Chinese ginseng) and Siberian ginseng (which is actually a different herb altogether). Panax ginseng is particularly good for menopausal problems as it helps to balance the female hormones, especially if oestrogen levels are low. Both have widespread use for a number of hormone-related conditions, probably because adrenal hormones and sex hormones are very closely linked — particularly as the adrenal glands produce small amounts of sex hormones.
SAW PALMETTO AND DAMIANA
These are probably the two most popular herbs for male hormonal health. Saw palmetto gained renown in the treatment of prostatitis (enlargement of the prostate gland), a condition suffered by many men over 40 years old. Damiana, which has a testosterone-like effect, has long been associated with increasing male potency.57 These herbs, together with ginseng, are often included in male herbal tonics.
HORMONE-BALANCING SUPPLEMENTS
This is one piece of the jigsaw that will maize up your personal supplement programme.
In summary, the inclusion of the right phytonutrient foods and herbs may help the body to adapt, thus restoring and maintaining hormonal balance. Many supplements designed to support female or male health contain combinations of these herbs and are likely to be beneficial.
Female formulae might include, in addition to essential fats, vitamins and minerals:
| Agnus castus |
250-500mg |
| Black cohosh |
100-200mg |
| Dong quaff |
200-400mg |
| Wild yam |
200-400mg |
| Isoflavones |
100-600mg |
| Ginseng |
200-500mg |
Male formulae might include, in addition to essential fats, vitamins and minerals:
| Damiana | 200-400mg |
| Saw palmetto | 100-300mg |
| Ginseng | 300-1000mg |
However, if you wish to take large amounts of these herbs it is best to do so under the guidance of a herbalist or clinical nutritionist.
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Hormone and Health Formula
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