A review of the published literature reveals some interesting findings about how plant-derived estrogens can provide safe and effective support for menopausal symptoms.
Soy products are beneficial to cardiovascular and overall health because of their high content of polyunsaturated fats, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, low content of saturated fat, and biologically active compounds called phytochemicals.
The three major isoflavones found in soybeans are genistin, daidzin, and glycitin. Soy isoflavones exert both estrogenic and anti-estrogenic effects, depending on the tissue in which they are acting. They are structurally similar to 17-estradiol, a mammalian estrogen, and are thus called phytoestrogens. They also have non-hormonal effects, including signal transduction and antioxidant activity. Soy isoflavones may inhibit bone resorbption and help stimulate bone formation, without the side effects of hormone replacement therapy.
In recent years there has been an increase in the number of basic science, clinical, and nutritional studies investigating the potential health effects of phytoestrogens. Genistein is the most abundant phytoestrogen, derived almost entirely from soybeans, and is proposed to be the most biologically active. In postmenopausal women in the U.S., the daily intake of genistein is only about one mg per day. The Japanese however, who consume about 50 mg per day, are the longest-lived people in the world.
Derived from organically-grown fruit, the pomegranate extract in the Natural Estrogen formula has the same ratio of polyphenols found in the whole fruit and the benefits one would get from the juice without the sugar, calories, and additives. Punicalagins, the main polyphenol responsible for pomegranate's health properties, has been shown to be a powerful antioxidant. In fact, the health effects from the juice and the seeds work synergistically, providing an array of health benefits.
Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, etc.) are a rich source of glucosinolates and their hydrolysis products, including indoles and isothiocyanates. Scientists have identified specific extracts from cruciferous vegetables that modulate hormones in a way to help maintain healthy cell division. For instance, animal studies have shown that the cruciferous vegetable extract indole-3-carbinol (I3C) modulates estrogen hormones by favorably changing the ratio of protective 2-hydroxyestrone versus the damaging 16 hydroxyestrone. Found abundantly in broccoli, I3C also induces phase I and II detoxifying enzymes that can help neutralize estrogen metabolites and xenobiotic estrogen-like environmental chemicals. Human studies support the beneficial role of I3C in positively altering estrogen metabolism. Di-indolyl-methane (DIM), a compound converted by the body from I3C has been shown in animal studies to help maintain normal levels of a potentially damaging estrogen called 4-hydroxyestrone. The glucosinolates have been shown to promote normal apoptosis and induce the expression of the beneficial p53 gene via an estrogen-independent action.
HMRlignan™ is a powerful antioxidant and free radical scavenger against DNA damage and lipid peroxidation. In addition, a naturally occurring plant lignan, HMRlignan's major component, 7-hydroxymatairesinol, is a precursor to enterolactone, converted by human colonic bacteria, which has been suggested to be the prime active compound acting to protect the body from excess estrogen and its unwanted effects. Enterolactone may also limit excess cell growth in specific tissues and has also been linked to beneficial effects in menopausal women. Thus, the combination of the phyto-nutrient HMRlignan™ with soy isoflavones may promote beneficial effects on human health.
Also included in the formula is a soy extract - SoySelect® - that provides genistein in a double standardized isoflavones and Group-B saponin compound.
This formulation of Natural Estrogen with Pomegranate Extract contains phytoestrogens and other plant extracts, all of which have proven to provide optimal female hormonal support.
