Synthetic estrogens fell into “disfavour” because of the suspicion of triggering breast cancer under certain conditions. The fact is that plant estrogens do just the opposite!
For more than three decades, scientists have been discussing the advantages and disadvantages of hormone replacement therapy in menopause. An initial euphoria about treatment with estrogens was followed by serious concerns about the potential risk of breast cancer, particularly from the administration of synthetic estrogens.
Whether and how women in menopause rebalance their hormonal balance with estrogen replacement depends not only on their family history and breast cancer prevention, but also on the level of suffering caused by menopausal symptoms. These can often be very painful.
A welcome alternative were the so-called phytoestrogens – estrogen-analogous substances of plant origin. It was assumed years ago that this natural hormone replacement would not lead to an increased risk of breast cancer.
What are phytoestrogens?
Plant estrogens are a group of different substances. The main representatives are the so-called isoflavonoids and the lignans. The most important representatives are genistein and daidzein.
They are mainly found in tropical legumes, such as soya or mung beans. Lignans such as secoisolariciresinol and matairesinol are found in linseed and cereals. Their effect also imitates that of the sexual steroid estrogen.
These natural substances resemble the body’s own 17β-estradiol in their chemical structure. Therefore, they can dock to the estrogen receptors. The difference lies in the intensity of action, because the plant relatives of human estrogen possess only one thousandth of its effectiveness. It is therefore believed that they can reduce the cancer-promoting potential of estrogens.
Lignans reduce breast cancer risk?
A French study confirms the anti-cancer effect of lignans. It investigated the effect of different lignans on the growth of breast cancer cells. Both secoisolariciresinol and in particular anhydrosecoisolariciresinol were able to significantly inhibit the growth of cancer cells in this experiment. Despite the positive results, it should be noted that this was an in-vitro study in the laboratory and not in humans.
Sufficient lignan supply led to a reduction in breast cancer risk of up to 14 %.
Epidemiology confirms risk reduction!
Data that directly relates a high intake of lignin to a reduction in breast cancer risk is much more accurate. The German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg was able to confirm this assumption by means of a meta-analysis, in which the data from several studies was evaluated.
The results of a total of 21 studies were included in this meta-analysis. It was found that a high intake of lignin, particularly in postmenopausal women, is associated with a significant 14% reduction in the risk of breast cancer.
While detailed studies on the mechanisms of action of these substances are still pending, these results clearly show the opposite of the fears that exist about synthetic estrogen derivatives. Experts therefore recommend a daily intake of 80 to 100 mg phytoestrogens. Of course, as always, consultation with your trusted preventive physician is essential.
All in all, this is good news for all those who rely on phytoestrogens – especially lignans – for hormone substitution.
