8 July 2009
Are you getting your fix of plant-based proteins containing
phytoestrogens?
This year during Natural Medicine Awareness Week (July 6-12), the Jean Hailes Foundation for
Women’s Health is highlighting the importance of eating whole foods instead of taking supplements to
benefit health.
According to Jean Hailes naturopath Sandra Villella, one of the most popular natural medicines today is
phytoestrogens. In particular, phytoestrogens found in soy products have been touted to prevent or treat
a range of health issues associated with menopause including heart disease, osteoporosis, mood
disorders and cognitive abilities.
Recent Jean Hailes research in this area backs up international research demonstrating that it is the
whole food containing the phytoestrogens, rather than the isolated phytoestrogens that are most
important.
Phytoestrogens are plant compounds that are similar to the female sex hormone oestrogen, but with
much lower potency. They attach to some of the oestrogen receptors in a woman’s body, and have
become an area of research interest as a potential oestrogen alternative in recent years.
Eating a phytoestrogen-rich diet has been linked to reduced rates of heart disease and cancer and are
thought to be of some health benefit to menopausal women. To date scientific evidence has shown that
phytoestrogen-rich foods may offer:
Protection against heart disease
Possible anti-cancer properties – more research is needed
A possible role in prevention of osteoporosis – more research is needed
“It is important that a distinction in phytoestrogens is made between nutrients consumed in whole foods,
as opposed to those consumed in supplements such as powders or tablets,” says Sandra. “There is no
evidence that phytoestrogen supplements are more effective than a placebo for relieving menopausal
symptoms, and safety in regards to women who have had breast cancer is still not yet established.”
According to Jean Hailes research director Professor Helena Teede, other benefits of phytoestrogens,
including reductions in cholesterol and blood pressure, appear to be mainly related to the vegetable
protein in foods that contain phytoestrogens rather than to the phytoestrogens themselves. “This is why
the whole food, rather than the phytoestrogen supplements, appear to have the most benefit,” said
Professor Teede.
Supplements made from isolated soy compounds are not generally recommended as a source of
phytoestrogen because they do not contain all of the health benefits of whole soy foods and there is not
enough evidence of their safety when taken for long periods. Whole foods contain differing amounts of
complex compounds that can behave differently when they are consumed as a food versus what happens
to an isolated compound when tested individually.
“Phytoestrogen food sources are also good sources of vegetable protein, essential fatty acids and
minerals,” adds Sandra.
In a 2006 meta-analysis of research on phytoestrogens and breast cancer, the authors of the review
concluded that it is not recommended for women at high risk for breast cancer or who have had breast
cancer to take soy supplements. There is no evidence to suggest that eating a diet of soy foods in
amounts consistent with an Asian diet is detrimental to breast health.
It is recommended to eat whole soy foods such as tofu, soy beans, low fat soy milk or breads containing
soy flours.
Foods high in phytoestrogrens include:
Soy – soybeans, tofu, soymilk, miso
Linseeds (also known as flaxseeds)
Sprouts – alfalfa, mungbean
Legumes – chickpeas, lentils, kidney beans
Other sources that contain some phytoestrogens include:
Wholegrain cereals – oats, wheat, corn, barley, buckwheat and rye
Seeds – pumpkin, sesame, sunflower
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MEDIA
To interview Sandra Villella or Prof Teede please call Aleeza Zohar on (03) 9562 6771 or 0425 758 729.
NEWS 
