POWER SURGE NEWS
FOR AOL AND THE WEB
A Free E-Mail Newsletter
of the Power Surge Women's
Midlife and Menopause Community
The Power Surge Web Site
Dearest (Alice Stamm)
Founder and Facilitator
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POWER SURGE NEWS
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Surgettes,
We've witnessed controversy over the cancer risk involved in taking hormones.
Within only a few months period, major opposing reports only served to further baffle us. One assuring us that there is no increased risk. Who's not getting the picture here?
The other reminding us that the risks of HRT are great, and not to be
dismissed. We're garnering all the information we can about naturally compounded, bio-identical, plant-derived hormone therapy, about the natural hormone, Melatonin. Now, looming on the horizon is more and more news of something extraordinary - and natural, to boot - which may alter menopause in ways we hardly could have anticipated - DHEA. The possibilities seem limitless, and it's very exciting!
Therein lies my goal - to supply as many women as possible with as much
information as possible from which they may extract that which suits their
individual needs, be it alternative medicine, conventional HRT, vitamins, homeopathy, herbs,
natural / micronized Progesterone, Melatonin, Soy, DHEA - you name it.
Every Power Surge Newsletter attempts to provide information about HRT, as well as
natural methods of treating menopausal symptoms. Every woman is different and needs to find what works best for her in treating her particular issues during the menopausal years. The bottom line is to provide information about every option we
have available to make this bumpy ride as comfortable as possible.
A pleasant journey and good health.
Dearest
MENO_QUOTE
"Growing older can be a wonderful adventure,
so long as you remember that the operative
word is 'growing' "
MENOPAUSE: A NEW BEGINNING
Note: Those of you well into menopause may find the various meno primers I
supply in the newsletters to be redundant, or, better yet, erroneous, seeing
as how you, personally, have long since passed the early stages of menopause.
However, consider these primers as part of the continuing education about
menopause, as well as a vital source of info for the scores of baby boomers
just entering the pause. The Power Surge Newsletter has not been shortened
because of these primers, but, rather, lengthened to provide all readers with
up-to-the-minute information on the various options available, no matter
what stage they're in.
I
If you'd prefer to bypass the primers, simply scroll through the various
sections of each and every newsletter. You'll, undoubtedly, find something
of interest to you! in each issue. Just when I think I've read everything
about menopause, I discover something new.
Thank you. Dearest :)
Menopause happens to every woman, yet it is an individual experience that
may vary dramatically. Menopause is not a disease. The actual word simply
means the final menstrual period. The common meaning, however, refers to the
time before the last menses to a year or two afterwards. Around and about
the age of 50 [The onset usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 52, but
can vary either way], a woman's menstrual periods will generally become
further apart and lighter, and then stop entirely.
During this time, enormous hormonal changes take place as her body
reorganized itself and adjusts to lower levels of estrogen. A new balance
is being found that is natural and right. When a woman has gone a year or
two without bleeding she has completed the transition known as menopause.
The main symptoms, which are experienced by four out of five women
include hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness. Menstrual cycles
will get longer, shorter, lighter, heavier, closer together or farther apart
- all can be considered normal. Again, the onset usually occurs between
the ages of 45 and 52, but can vary. A blood test [FSH] is available, but a
woman's own signs are her best guide as to whether she is nearing menopause,
what phase of the long transition she is in, or whether it is causing her
problems. After age 35, estrogen and progesterone levels begin a very
gradual decline. In the late forties this process accelerates and hormone
levels eventually decrease so that the menstrual cycle becomes irregular or stops.
Following menopause, the ovaries still produce some estrogen. Other tissues and
organs also produce hormones which are converted to estrogen.
What Is Menopause?
Menopause or "change of life" is the time in a woman's life when menstruation stops
and the body no longer produces the monthly ovum or egg from which a baby could be
formed.
Menopause naturally occurs at about age 50, although it can begin as early as 35-40
or as late as 55. Menopause is usually considered finished when a woman has not
menstruated for a year. Completion of menopause marks the end of the childbearing
years.
Menopause is natural. It is part of a gradual process sometimes called the
climacteric, which begins about 5 years before menopause and lasts about 10 years.
During the climacteric, a woman's body produces decreasing amounts of the hormones
estrogen and progesterone.
This reduction in hormone production causes menstrual periods to become less regular,
have increased or decreased amount of blood and eventually stop.
Surgical Menopause
Surgical procedures involving the ovaries and the uterus can affect how
menopause takes place. When the uterus is removed (hysterectomy) and the
ovaries remain, menstrual periods stop.
Meanwhile, other aspects of menopause occur in the same way and at the same
age that they would occur naturally. When only one ovary is removed,
menopause occurs normally. With the removal of both ovaries, complete
menopause takes place abruptly, sometimes with intense effects.
What Are Some Of The Signs Of Menopause?
The only sign of menopause for many women is the end of menstrual periods.
They may stop suddenly or become irregular, with a lighter or heavier flow
and with longer intervals between periods, until they eventually stop.
About 80 percent of women experience mild or no problems during menopause;
the other 20 percent report symptoms severe enough to seek medical attention.
Two other signs associated with menopause are hot flashes (which are often
accompanied by sweating) and vaginal dryness. Some women also report fatigue,
heart palpitations, and depression with menopause. However, these problems
*may* be caused by other disorders as well, which is why I issue, as part of
my disclaimer at the bottom of every newsletter: "Health matters should be
taken up with one's personal physician. Nothing in the Power Surge
Newsletter is intended as a substitute for professional medical advice."
It's tempting, but dangerous, to blame everything on menopause. Menopausal
symptoms should be arrived at via the process of elimination. If you're
having frequent heart palpitations, skipped beats, and other heart-related
issues, SEE YOUR DOCTOR FIRST. If nothing proves to be wrong with your heart
you can bet yer bottom dollar, it's your whacky hormones that are causing
those problems.
Hot Flashes
Hot flashes are one of the more common and earliest sign of menopause,
sometimes beginning several years before other signs. They give a sudden
feeling of warmth throughout the upper body or over all of the body.
The face may become flushed, with red areas appearing on the chest, back,
shoulders, and upper arms. This is often followed by perspiration and a cold
clammy sensation as the body temperature readjusts. The process may last
anywhere from a few seconds to a half-hour or more.
Hot flashes may occur several times a day or only once a week [there was a
period of time (no pun intended) when I had *one* hot flash a day - ALL day!].
The sensations vary from woman to woman and from one episode to another. In most
cases hot flashes are not severe and usually disappear after a few months, although
in some women they can continue for several years. Sometimes hot flashes disturb
sleep, and may cause heavy perspiration [night sweats]. Hot flashes can also be
accompanied by feelings of panic, palpitations
Vaginal And Urinary Tract Changes
The walls of the vagina usually become thinner, less elastic, and drier.
The vagina is then more vulnerable to infection. Also, these changes
sometimes result in uncomfortable or painful sexual intercourse, although
continuing regular sexual activity will reduce the possibility of problems
developing.
As body tissues change with age, some women experience urinary stress
incontinence, which is the loss of a small quantity of urine when exercising,
coughing, laughing, or performing other movements that put pressure on the
bladder.
As well as tissue changes, lack of physical exercise may also contribute to
the condition. While incontinence can be embarrassing, it is common and
treatable -- for example, certain exercises can strengthen the affected
muscles or sometimes surgery is performed to cure it.
Some women are prone to urinary tract infections. These tend to recur but
are easily treated with antibiotics or other measures. Preventive techniques
include urinating after intercourse, not keeping the bladder over-full for
long periods, drinking adequate amounts of fluids, and keeping the genital
area very clean. Symptoms include painful or frequent urinat
GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS IN RESPONSE TO HORMONAL CHANGES:
Be sure to read our Power Surge Menopause Survival Tips
Reduce Emotional Stress
When women experience negative emotional stress for prolonged periods
of time, ovulation may become irregular and hormonal problems can occur. Try
to reduce stress in order to make a smooth transition into menopause.
Quit Smoking
Due to the toxins in cigarettes which damage the ovaries, smokers
enter menopause earlier than non-smokers and tend to have a more difficult
time.
Cut Down on Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol in large quantities affects the ovaries, causing a decline
inovulation and hormone production. heavy drinkers often experience
irregular bleeing. If you experience any bleeding problems, we suggest you
stop drinking entirely.
Decrease your Caffeine Intake
Caffeine causes stress on your nervous system which can lead to
menstrual irregularities during menopause. many women notice an improvement
in irregular bleeding when they eliminate caffeine.
HEALTH CONCERNS
Sometimes, changes occur during menopause which benefit from medical treatment.
In this case, menopause becomes a health issue and your physician may have helpful
recommendations.
Women in their late 40s commonly experience heavy bleeding due to the lack of
ovulation and estrogen. Other causes include uterine fibroids or cancer of the
uterus or cervix. When experiencing any kind of heavy or irregular bleeding, it is
always best to discuss the symptoms with your doctor. With the guidance of a
physician, women can decide which treatment to select.
In some cases your doctor may suggest Estrogen Replacement Therapy to treat your
menopausal symptoms. Our understanding of the risks and benefits of Estrogen
Replacement Therapy has significantly improved. As a result, the questions of
whether or not to use estrogen replacement is increasingly determined more by the
woman's choice and less by medical factors. Information regarding the risks and
benefits is important for every woman in order to make an informed decision for
treatment. Review the list of risks and benefits and then ask your doctor for
any additional information you need to make a decision for your care."
"NATURAL HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY"
- Benefits:
- Protects Against Bone Loss and Osteoporosis
- Relieves Menopausal Symptoms
- *Hot Flashes
- *Night Sweats
- *Mood Changes
- *Vaginal Dryness
- Risks:
- Possible Increased Risk of Breast Cancer
*Women with an intact uterus should also take progesterone to prevent cancer of the uterus. "
WHERE TO FIND INFO
National Institute on Aging
Information Center
P.O. Box 8057
Gaithersburg, MD 20898
800-222-2225
M - F 8:30 - 5 EST
800-222-4225 (TDD)
Call or write to obtain Menopause, with drawings and quotes from women. Also available: free fact sheets called "Age Pages" on a variety of topics.
Ask for the following:
Managing Menopause, a brief discussion of what to expect during menopause
and information on hormone replacement therapy.
Should You Take Estrogen?, a pamphlet on estrogen replacement therapy
covering how it is taken, risks and side effects, and who is a candidate for
the therapy.
THE HORMONE LIST
Read more about Your Hormones
DHEA is one of several natural hormones that decline as we get older and
whose replacement might help the body age better. Doctors prescribing "youth
preservation" therapy most commonly recommend the following hormones:
HUMAN GROWTH HORMONE
When it declines: Gradually after middle age.
What replacement can do: Can cause a dramatic shift in the body's metabolism,
resulting in more muscle and less fat; accelerates healing in surgical patients;
and helps people get more deep sleep.
Side effects: May lead to carpal tunnel syndrome--a disabling condition often
associated with repetitive hand movements. Can bring on diabetes-like symptoms
and may cause gynecomastia, in which men grow enlarged, tender breasts.
How to get it: Few doctors will prescribe hgh as an anti-aging treatment. Must
be injected twice a day at an average cost of $800 a month.
ESTROGEN
When it declines: Gradually in women, starting at age 40; sharply around age 50,
leading to menopause.
What replacement can do: Eliminates hot flashes, sleeplessness, and other
symptoms of menopause. May reduce the risk of heart disease and osteoporosis
in postmenopausal women.
Side effects: Cramping, breast pain, weight gain. Some studies suggest that
estrogen therapy may increase the risk of breast cancer.
How to get it: Virtually all doctors will prescribe; women who have not had
a hysterectomy will be advised to take a combination of estrogen and
progesterone. Pills cost from $10 to $30 a month. Estrogen alone is available
by transdermal patch for about $25 a month.
TESTOSTERONE
When it declines: Gradually in men, starting at 40; in women, at 50.
What replacement can do: Increases output of growth hormone and, with
exercise, strengthens upper-body muscles. Can improve mood and increase sex
drive in older men and women.
Side effects: May decrease HDL, or "good" cholesterol, and boost LDL, the "bad"
kind,increasing the risk of heart disease or stroke. By stimulating growth of
prostate cells, may increase the risk of prostate cancer.
How to get it: Doctors have begun prescribing it to both men and women for
low libido and for some conditions that cause impotence in men. Available by
pill, shot, implant, or patch for $50 to $100 a month.
MELATONIN
When it declines: Sharply at adolescence, then again at about age 40; elderly
adults produce only half as much as children.
What replacement can do: Eases insomnia in older adults. Animal studies
suggest it may strengthen the immune system and fight cancer.
Side effects: Possible lingering grogginess; could worsen pre-existing
depression.
How to get it: Not approved by the Food and Drug Administration, but sold in
health food stores for $10 to $20 a bottle.
Reference: Health Magazine
MENO_ STUFF ON ENDOMETRIOSIS
Endometriosis is the growth of tissue from the lining (endometrium) of the
uterus outside of the uterus, in the abdominal cavity. There are various
theories to explain what causes this. One is retrograde menstruation, or a
backward flow of menstrual fluid through the fallopian tubes, from which the
menstrual fluid may be drawn into the ovaries or escape into the pelvic
cavity. Retrograde menstruation may prevent the immune system from ridding
the body of the wandering endometrial cells by, in effect, creating too much
work for the system.
Endometriosis may run in families, since researchers have found that women
whose mother or sisters have the disorder are more likely to have it
themselves. In some women it causes no symptoms; others report painful
periods, pain during intercourse, and sometimes infertility. Most cases are
treatable with medication or surgery, but if the disease is severe, removal
of the uterus and ovaries through hysterectomy may be necessary.
Uterine fibroids, also called myomas or leiomyomas, are masses formed from
the smooth muscle tissue of the uterus and sometimes the cervix. Fibroids
usually develop during a woman's thirties and forties and then shrink after
menopause. Some fibroids require no treatment, but if they cause heavy uterine
bleeding, pain, infertility, miscarriage, or premature birth, they should be
removed. After removal, there is the chance that new fibroids will develop.
The cause of fibroids is unknown, but their growth seems to depend on the
presence of estrogen. Heredity may be a factor.
WHO TO CALL:
ALTERNATIVE_ WHERE TO FIND __?
Most physicians we see aren't knowledgeable about alternative treatments, so
here's a list of contacts to assist you in exploring other options besides
those provided by traditional western medicine. These contacts, coupled with
numerous others in Power Surge's "September" Newsletter [XIV] should be
helpful.
American Menopause Foundation, Inc. operates a national network of support
groups that deal with alternative treatments, among other issues. Call (212)
475-3107 for information on a group in your area, or write the foundation at
Madison Square Station, P. O. Box 2013, New York, NY 10010.
The North American Menopause Society offers a mainstream perspective on
menopause treatment, with lists of suggested readings and physicians in your
area specializing in menopause. Write c/o Department of OB/GYN, University
Hospitals of Cleveland, 11100 Euclid Ave., Cleveland OH 44106.
American Holistic Medical Association publishes a national referral directory
of medical doctors who use alternative treatments. Send $5, check or money
order, to 4101 Lake Boone Trail, Ste. 201, Raleigh, NC 27607.
American Association of Naturopathic Physicians offers a list of licensed
naturopaths around the country. Send $5, check or money order, to 2366
Eastlake Ave. East, Ste. 322, Seattle, WA 98102. Or call (206) 323-7610.
The Herb Research Foundation will supply information packets on specific
herbs for $7 each. For a free brochure, write 1007 Pearl St., Ste. 200,
Boulder, CO 80302. Or call (303) 449-2265.
National Center for Homeopathy provides a nationwide directory of
practitioners and homeopathy study groups. Send $6, check or money order, to
801 North Fairfax St., Ste. 306, Alexandria, VA 22314. Or call (703)
548-7790.
Transitions for Health has a free mail-order catalog of natural health-care
products for menopausal women. Write 621 Southwest Alder, Ste. 900, Portland,
OR 97205. Or call (800) 888-6814.
Wellspring for Women offers phone consultations with licensed nurse
practitioners who can answer questions about herbal remedies and natural
hormones, and put you in touch with doctors who can prescribe them; they can
also discuss conventional hormone therapy. Call (303) 443-0321.
MENO_ READING
- Ourselves, Growing Older: Women Aging with Knowledge and Power. Letty Cottin Pogrebin
- Midlife and Older Women Book Project $15.95 in paperback 511 pages
- Paula Brown Doress, Diana Laskin Siegal - By the same Boston Women's Health Book Collective as
the first "Our Bodies, Ourselves" and "The New Our Bodies, Ourselves." Lots
of wonderful photos, charts, and diagrams. Section 1 is "Aging Well" and
includes six chapters: Aging and Well-being, Habits Worth Changing, Who Needs
Cosmetic Surgery? Reassessing Our Looks and Our Lives, Weighty Issues,
Eating Well, Moving for Health (about exercise). Section 2 is 'Living with
Ourselves and Others As We age' with nine chapers: Sexuality in the Second
Half of Life (includes both hetero and homosexual information), Birth Control
for Women in Midlife, Childbearing in Midlife, Menopause: Entering our Third
Age, Relationships in Middle and Later Life, Housing Alternatives and Living
Arrangements, Work and Retirement, Money Matters: the Economics of Aging for
Women . . ." Excerpted from the Menopaus List.
NHRT:HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY
Power Surge does not endorse the use of conventional, synthetic hormones
Some of the major symptoms and body changes that happen with menopause can be
helped by taking hormones. Many doctors continue to recommend conventional synthetic HRT, such as Premarin and Prempro, even with the controversy surrounding synthetic hormones resulting in the abruptly halted WHI (Women's Health Iniative) Study in 2002. Read more about The HRT Controversy here.
However, many women who want to use HRT are asking their doctors to prescribe naturally compounded, bio-identical, plant-derived hormones instead. Hormone replacement therapy helps to relieve many symptoms related to menopause that women may not be able to relieve through the more natural methods. Many of their symptoms are due to the drop in both estrogen and progesterone during the peri and postmenopausal years. The benefits are:
- Hot flashes and sweats: milder and not as frequent. For most women they
will disappear completely.
- Less emotion: less anxious, less irritable, and less depressed.
- Vaginal and urinary tract problems: relieves vaginal itching and burning.
- Moistens the lining of the vagina. This may take a month. If you have burning
- when you urinate, call the advice nurse right away.
- Heart disease & stroke; may help to lower the chances of heart attack or
- stroke by improving blood cholesterol levels.
Osteoporosis: slows down bone loss that results from aging. Over a long
period of time this can mean fewer broken bones. Eating a balanced diet,
exercising regularly, living a healthy lifestyle, and taking a calcium
supplement may provide more protection against osteoporosis.
Today's HRT Programs Reduce Risk :We now use low doses of "natural" estrogens alone or
in combination with progerone (avoid synthetic progestins). Combining natural estrogen (estradiol, estriol, estrone) with natural micronized progesterone (as opposed to progestins, such as Provera - the progestin found in Prempro) helps protect the uterus. Estrogen and progesterone together is
the best treatment for most postmenopausal women. Estrogen may be used alone
if you have had a hysterectomy. Where higher doses were once thought to be
necessary, research has shown that, in most cases, lower doses are just as
effective and cause less side effects. Regular breast examinations by a health professional
and self-examination are recommended for all women. A mammogram is
recommended for women as they get older [Read more about breast examinations in Power Surge Newsletter #16.] When estrogen is given alone, there is a risk of pre-cancerous changes in the lining of the uterus.
In some instances this may lead to cancer. If you are at risk, your doctor may do a biopsy. The progesterone causes the uterus to shed built-up tissue at the end of each cycle. Your doctor will help you choose the combination which is best for you. If you do not have a uterus, it's okay for you to take estrogen alone.
Side Effects of HRT
Estrogen - Although most women who take estrogen don't notice any side
effects, they may occur in some women. Side effects can include any or all of
the following problems.
- Fluid retention
- Irritability
- Breast tenderness
- Swelling of the body
- Abdominal cramping
Let your doctor know if you have these side effects. Perhaps a change in dose
will help you.
Progesterone: Often there is a return of light menstrual periods. The bleeding
is not heavy. It is more like spotting for 3 to 4 days.Usually, these monthly
periods are not associated with PMS or cramps. For women who are already a
few years into menopause, the dose can be adjusted to stop bleeding. It is
possible that progesterone may raise fat and sugar levels in your blood. If this
is a concern to you, you should discuss this with your doctor.
Summary: NHRT does much more than just relieve the uncomfortable symptoms of
menopause. Long after these symptoms stop, taking estrogen and progesterone can
protect your bones, prevent osteoporosis and strengthen your vaginal tissues.
ESTROGEN & WEIGHT GAIN
Postmenopausal women who fear flab might consider getting their estrogen by
patch rather than pill.
Endocrinologist Anthony J. O' Sullivan and colleagues at The Garvin
Institute of Medical Research asked 18 women past menopause to try one of two
forms of treatment: daily, standard pills of 1.25 milligrams of estrogen or
an equivalent, time-released dose conveyed through a skin patch worn
round-the-clock. After six months, each woman switched modes.
Patches and pills were equally effective in maintaining the women's bone
density and reducing hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. But by
analyzing breath samples, the researchers were able to chart changes in the
women's metabolism, and found that when on the pills, their bodies traded
between one and four pounds of muscle for fat. The patch had no such effect.
That's not a complete surprise, O'Sullivan says. While hormone released
through the skin spreads throughout the body via the bloodstream, estrogen
that is swallowed almost immediately hits the liver, which plays a major role
in metabolism. A big dollop of estrogen seems to trigger signals, via the
liver, that fat's to be stored instead of burned.
The "patch advantage" won't help anybody squeeze into a smaller swimsuit,
O'Sullivan hastens to add. Only the ratio of fat to muscle changed; overall
weight stayed the same. But, if the findings from this preliminary study hold
up, he says, the skin patch might be a better choice for women with some
obesity-linked diseases.
PREMARIN AND ANIMAL ABUSE
In the past number of years, the animal rights group People for the Ethical
Treatment of Animals has mounted a campaign against Premarin, the most widely prescribed estrogen replacement. PETA charges that horses are mistreated in the manufacture of the drug, made from the urine of pregnant mares. While the group has an ax to grind--it opposes all animal husbandry--more mainstream organizations, such as the World Society for the Protection of Animals, have also expressed their disapproval.
In response, Premarin's manufacturer, Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories, recently agreed to let a panel of international experts visit 32 farms. The company issues a detailed set of guidelines and, according to Tom Hughes, of the Canadian Farm Animal Trust, horses get sufficient food, shelter, and vet care.
But panelists reported a number of concerns. The mares spend at least six of the 11 months of their pregnancy tied in stalls in which they can tread in place but cannot turn around. They are exercised outside their stalls no more than once a week; some are not let out from mid-September until late March. In many cases, says panelist Joe Silva, the stalls are too small for horses to lie on their side, their natural sleep position, or to groom themselves. And the horses are kept thirsty (though not dehydrated) to keep their urine concentrated. Wyeth-Ayerst says it has already stepped up its inspections of the farms and that it will consider the panel's concerns.
Women looking for alternatives should know that many doctors are most comfortable with Premarin, the best-studied estrogen replacement. But according to the North American Menopause Society, other forms of prescription estrogen, such as those made from soybeans or yams, seem equally effective at reducing hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms as well as at cutting the long-term risk of osteoporosis.
See the transcipt of the chat with Wyeth-Ayerst Pharmaceuticals - manufacturer of Premarin.
MENO_SOY FACTS
Soy Foods? Lower Cholesterol, Fight Breast Cancer, And Slow Bone Loss?
For six months, a group of three dozen research volunteers at the University
of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, agreed to add soy protein to their diets, not
just for breakfast but with every meal. They're as willing a group of guinea
pigs as you'd hope to find--and with good reason, according to food scientist
John Erdman, Jr., who's codirecting the research. Dozens of studies
--including an overview featured this summer in the New England Journal of
Medicine--have shown that soy protein can dramatically lower cholesterol. And
now there's evidence that an estrogenlike substance (or phytoestrogen) found
in soybeans can relieve some side effects of menopause and even slow down
osteoporosis. What's more, it might cut the risk of many forms of cancer.
"Wouldn't that be wonderful?" says a trim woman in her mid-fifties who lives
on a farm north of town. Like others, she has fretfully watched her
cholesterol level climb since menopause, and she's concerned about
osteoporosis. Still, she's reluctant to go on estrogen therapy. "My mother
died of breast cancer," she says, "and it worries me that estrogen might
raise my risk."
Could soy be an alternative? Certainly in countries where it's served at
virtually every meal, rates of heart disease and many forms of cancer are
unusually low.
In Shanghai, the average cholesterol level hovers around 165; here, it tops
200. In Japan, where tofu has an honored place at the table, breast cancer is
four times less common than in the United States.
Of course, Asian diets differ from Westerners' in many ways, so it's hard to
pin such benefits on soy alone. But it's getting easier: In one study at the
University of Milan, patients who stuck to a moderately low-fat diet had only
modest decreases in cholesterol, but when researchers added soy protein to
their diets--without making any other changes--their "bad" LDL cholesterol
fell an average of 21 percent in three weeks.
So far, most of this heart-friendly evidence comes from studies of men; the
Illinois researchers are the first to focus on women--but they're looking
beyond cholesterol. By comparing before-and-after bone scans, they'll also
investigate whether soy foods can really retard osteoporosis as scientists
suspect. Based on animal studies, the premise hinges on those estrogen
look-alikes in soy. Called isoflavones, these bear so strong a resemblance to
the hormone in a woman's body that they may be able to fill in when her own
levels start to fall.
That's more than conjecture. At the Dunn Clinical Nutrition Centre, in
Cambridge, England, researchers have shown that daily servings of soy protein
lengthen menstrual cycles in premenopausal women, suggesting an estrogen-like
effect. Also, several as-yet-unpublished studies suggest that isoflavones can
alleviate hot flashes and night sweats in menopausal women, according to Mark
Messina, a former program director in the Diet and Cancer branch of the
National Cancer Institute who recently organized the first international
symposium on soy foods and health. While more studies are needed, he's
optimistic: "I'd bet good money soy protein will become a widely accepted
alternative to estrogen replacement therapy within the next few years."
But what about estrogen's potential not-so-positive effects? Specifically, if isoflavones behave so much like the human hormone, couldn't they raise a
woman's risk of breast and ovarian cancer as well? Actually, they might do
just the opposite--reducing the risk instead. As Messina explains,
isoflavones are a lot weaker than human estrogen, "about one-thousandth the
potency of the bodily hormone--or less. They're close enough in structure to
fit into the estrogen receptors on breast cancer cells," he adds, "but
probably too weak to stimulate the cells."
The result, he says, is like putting the wrong key in your front door. "The
key will slip in, but it won't turn the lock. And by jamming the lock, it
prevents other keys that come along from opening it."
Soy isn't the only source of plant estrogens; scientists have identified
three different kinds that are found in hundreds of other foods, from carrots
and potatoes to bean sprouts and sunflower seeds. Yet soy is a particularly
rich source, and there's growing evidence that a particular form of
isoflavone it contains could actually defend against cancer of many kinds.
Called genistein, it's a potent antioxidant, able to snare unstable oxygen
molecules before they turn healthy cells cancerous.
Genistein also appears to block several key enzymes that tumor cells need to
grow and thrive, and studies show it may also thwart the growth of blood
vessels supplying those cells--effectively starving them at the source. The
findings are so impressive that the National Cancer Institute is now studying
the potential of purified genistein as an anticancer drug.
"But why wait?" Messina says. Genistein is so abundant in soy foods that one
serving a day, he suspects -- a glass of soy milk, a half-cup of firm tofu,
or muffins -- is probably enough for most of us to substantially lessen our
cancer risk; at least twice that much, or about 25 grams of soy protein,
could significantly lower cholesterol. (How much it would take to stand in
for estrogen therapy is unknown.) The Breakfast Clubbers have agreed to
consume 40 grams of soy protein a day, which they manage by supplementing
soy-laced meals with soy beverages and snacks.
It's well worth the trouble, if you ask study veteran Karen Hyde. When she
started on soy, her total cholesterol stood at a hazardous 255; six months
later it was 205. And as her LDL cholesterol went down, her HDL--the "good"
kind--went up. "My doctor could hardly believe it," she says.
Pulling up a chair, John Erdman concurs: "Those are remarkable numbers."
Because the experiment isn't over, he's reluctant to say more. Well, maybe a
little more. "Let's just say the numbers are all going in the direction we'd
like to see."
Reference: Excerpted from "Health" Magazine
SOY_SOURCE
Soy food comes in several forms, many of them rich in the potentially
disease-fighting estrogens called isoflavones (though products like soy sauce
contain almost none). And while not all are exactly low in fat--some tofu has
almost as much as cheese--some reduced-fat versions are available. Here are
tasty ideas for adding a little soy to your life:
- Fresh soybeans: Harvested while green and boiled for 15 minutes in salted
water, these make a great appetizer or snack; called edamame in Japanese,
they're sold in Asian groceries in the summer months.
- Dry soybeans: These fit easily into any baked-bean dish or chili. The only
drawback: They take two to three hours to cook.
- Soy milk: Pour it on cereal, stir it into hot drinks--in fact, use it
pretty much interchangeably with milk. Soy milk is available at supermarkets
in regular, low-fat, nonfat, and flavored versions, in unrefrigerated cartons
that should be refrigerated after opening.
- Tofu (bean curd): Soft, medium, firm, and low-fat varieties make this a
versatile addition to pastas, noodle casseroles, stir-fries, and soups; it's
also a good creamy base for blended sauces and salad dressings.
- Soy protein powder: Quick to dissolve and almost devoid of flavor, this
powder slips unnoticed into recipes or drinks (but go easy in baking, as it
gives breads a denser texture). It's available from Physicians Laboratories as as Revival Soy Protein , (800) 700-8687, or E-mail Dr. Tabor , Medical Director for more information.
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