What foods and herbs contain phytoestrogens?
Menopause
Women who are suffering from the symptoms are the main group of people who seek food and herbs that contain phytoestrogen. Menopause occurs as the result of the hormone receptors in women's bodies losing their ability to reproduce sufficient levels of hormones such as estrogen. Some more menopause symptoms can include: loss of libido, gum problems, changes in body odor, depression and after a few years osteoporosis. It is important to remember that women may suffer from some or none of the symptoms listed above.
Phytoestrogens are a plant-like chemical with a structure that closely resembles that of human estrogen. For this reason foods and herbs that contain phytoestrogens are highly sought after by menopausal women who are experiencing some of the effects of menopause. A drop in estrogen at a mature stage of women's lives can result in a flurry of menopause symptoms, which can include: night sweats, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, mood swings and tingling extremities. Herbs and foods that contain phytoestrogens can help to curb such menopause symptoms.
Herbs that contain phytoestrogen
Herbs that contain phytoestrogen are known as: phytoestrogenic herbs. Such herbs contain an abundance of phytoestrogen and for this reason are commonly used by women in the treatment of their menopause symptoms. Such herbs that contain phytoestrogen include:
Other sources which contain phytoestrogen
Women can seek other sources that contain phytoestrogen. Many fruits, nuts and vegetables also contain high amounts of phytoestrogen.
• Black cohosh
• Don quai
• Ginseng
• Gingko biloba
• Red clover
• Soy
Foods that contain phytoestrogen
Unlike herbs there are considerable amount of foods that contain different measures of phytoestrogens. The top three foods that contain phytoestrogen include: Soy beans, flax seeds and tofu. Other foods also contain noticeable amounts of phytoestrogen however, such as:
From soy beans to coffee
Many foods contain various mneasures of phytoestrogen. Foods such as soy beans contain phytoestrogens in abundance whereas foods such as coffee or milk only contain trace amounts. It is possible to steer a diet towards foods that contain higher quantities of phytoestrogen in the hopes of curbing some of the 34 symptoms of menopause.
. Soy milk
• Garlic
• Alfalfa sprouts
• Sunflower seeds
• Sesame seed
• Soy yoghurt
• Multigrain bread
• Flax bread
• Dried apricots
• Dried dates
Conclusions
Both phytoestrogenic herbs and foods which contain phytoestrogen are a temporary solution to a long term problem and because of this and the risks which they could infer it is recommended that women carefully consider their options before embarking on a diet or a course of herbs which contain high amounts of phytoestrogen.
It is important to keep in mind that even though the use of phytoestrogen sources for menopause have the ability to help many of the harmful effects of menopause it also comes with risks. As such risks sometimes outweigh the potential benefits it is vital that all options are first considered. To read more about the alternatives, such as non-estrogenic herbs in the treatment of menopause symptoms continue here.
