Herbal Help for Depression

About 17 million Americans suffer from clinical depression each year. In fact, clinical depression, also referred to the principal or unipolar depression, is the most commonly occurring mood disorders.

While we all experience periodic "mood swings," the symptoms of depression are a true partnership outlined by the American Psychiatric Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, at least 5 of 8 following symptoms must be present for at least one month in order to diagnose clinical depression:

• Weight loss due to lack of appetite, or accompanied by excess weight gain
• Frequent insomnia or hypersomnia (sleeping too much)
• Lack of interest in regular activities and / or a decrease in sexual behaviour
• In general feeling of fatigue
• Too much activity or inactivity
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
• Difficulty concentrating
• Thoughts of suicide

Anti-depressive drugs are an all-too frequent course of treatment for depression, but are not necessarily the best. On the one hand, there is a high rate of relapse and dependency associated with these drugs. An alternative is gaining popularity cognitive therapy used to manipulate brain chemistry by empowering the patient with the new "tools" for daily life. Indeed, cognitive therapy teaches the depressed person to replace the automatic negative thoughts with more appropriate. This process re-engineering of thought not only relieves the feeling of impotence or loss of control in the patient, but actually results in stabilizing brain chemistry.

Depression has a variety of causes, both physiological and organic origin. Some of the most recognized are: food allergies, hypoglycemia, hypothyroidism, diabetes, heart disease, environmental toxins (heavy metals), poor adrenal function, nutritional deficiencies and even certain medications. From this list is so long, it is important to seek help from a qualified health professional to rule out any of these conditions. Severe or major depression (especially when the thoughts of death or suicide are in sight) consists of a range of therapies and should only be treated by a qualified professional. However, mild to moderate depression can show improvement through the use of certain botanical products and nutritional considerations. However, you should discuss these therapies with their doctor first. It is also imperative that you never herbal medicines are combined with other anti-depressants prescription drugs.

Uncle Sam collects SAM

SAM (S-Adenosyl-methionine) is involved in the operation of monoaminas (such as serotonin, dopamine and gamma-amino butyric acid or GAB), neurotransmitters and some lipids. In "normal" brain chemistry, sufficient quantities of SAM are produced by the amino acid methionine, but this synthesis is altered in depressed people. Many double-blind, placebo-controlled studies have found Sam to be one of the most effective natural anti-depressants and is better tolerated and works faster than many tricylic anti-depressant drugs. Although SAM has been widely used in Europe for at least 20 years old, has only come to the U.S. in recent months.

The usual dose is 400 mg four times a day, but since SAM can cause nausea and vomiting that sometimes started at 200 mg twice daily for several days and gradually increased to full therapeutic dose. Note: the administration of supplements SAM is unsuitable for manic (bipolar) depression patients and their manic symptoms can be lifted.

St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum)

There are at least 10 pharmacologically active substances found in the extract of this plant, but researchers are most interested in hypericin and pseudohypericin. The exact mechanism of the herb's capacity to alleviate depression and anxiety remain largely unknown, but a recent study may provide some clues. The action of hypericin to sites alpha receptors, known to be involved in the role of MAOs and 5-HTP reuptake inhibitors (a metabolite of L-tryptophan in the synthesis of serotonin), supports the herb as a universal reputation a lift and humor sedative. The extract (standardized to 0.3%) is usually given at 300 mg three times a day with meals. Note: This herb can sometimes cause mild stomach irritation. Hypericin may also increase photosensitivity and has recently been linked with the formation of cataracts with long-term use.

Kava (Piper methysticum)

This herb has a long history of use in reducing anxiety, but is relatively new in the treatment of anxiety associated with depression. Several European countries have approved kava for treating insomnia, nervous disorders and depression. In the U.S., kava preparations are available as dietary supplements. Officials beneficial kava kavalactones found in the dried rhizome of the plant. Several studies have shown that the effects of kava a receiver Gabe-binding capacity and capability of blocking the absorption of norepinephrine. In 1997 a German study, 101 subjects who suffer from non-psychotic anxiety took part in a 25 week placebo-controlled, double-blind test with an extract of kava. The researchers concluded that kava is comparable to treatment with benzodiazepines, but without undesirable side effects. The recommended dose (30-70% to standardized) 45-70 mg three times a day.

Nutrition Guide

L-tryptophan is the metabolic precursor of melatonin and serotonin neurotransmitters with sedative qualities and useful in treating the symptoms of depression. However, L-tryptophan was banned in the U.S. due to an incidence of pollution and the Food and Drug Administration is unlikely to allow back into the market in the short term. However, a new supplement available, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HTP), may be even more effective. Unlike L-tryptophan, 5-HTP is readily bioavailable, as it does not require a molecule transport or compete with other amino acids in the system. While it is necessary to take into L-tryptophan on an empty stomach, 5-HTP can be taken with meals. In addition, 5-HTP is biochemically closer to serotonin, chemically known as 5-hydroxy tryptamine. Studies have also shown that 5-HTP increases beta-endorphins, the "feel good" hormones. The usual dose is 200 mg. per day.

According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, there is a clear association between depression and a diet lacking in sufficient fatty acids, particularly omega-3. The brain depends on the membrane fatty acids to ensure the fluidity and function of nerve cells, the factors that effect neurotransmitter synthesis and transmission. Low omega-3 levels also influence the actions of monomine oxidase, the enzyme responsible for the breakdown of serotonin, dopamine and epinephrine. The best sources of omega-fatty acids are cold water fish such as salmon, halibut, etc., consume 1-2 times a week. Supplementation with fish oil, a rich source of omega-3, should include docosahexanoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Follow dosage recommendations manufacturers.

Navigating the World of Herbal Remedies

Firstly, one needs to know that the author of this article is a bona fide western medicine doctor. I, like most of my colleagues, is not taught a single word about the medicinal herbs in medical school. Fortunately, I have an inquisitive mind and have made my quest to research and understand this fascinating subject. Medicinal herbs are available everywhere and manufacturers of these products are numerous. The products can range from capsules containing a single type of grass "special schemes", as marketed by "menopausal symptoms" or "stress relief" that often contain many different herbs in a single capsule. Determining which of these to take and how much has become a challenge for many consumers.

The dangers of the use of medicinal plants are many. On the one hand, herbal products are largely unregulated. The Food and Drug Administration believes that herbs are dietary supplements rather than drugs. This means that the manufacturer only has to prove that the herb is safe for human consumption and is not required to determine whether the herb really works for what they say. Manufacturers are allowed to make any statement they wish about the possible health benefits of a particular herb, always add the disclaimer, "these statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose , Treat, cure or prevent any disease. " Without evidence of a benefit of the herb is required - shades of the old-time medicine on men traveling in wagons peddling his snake oil to unsuspecting pioneers.

Secondly, there is a risk of adulteration in some herbal remedies. If the value of the grass is high, some companies discredited lower than those of cheaper products with a grass so that the consumer does not receive the full force of grass. Chinese Ginseng is an example of an herb for the adulteration has been a problem.

Finally, when the consumer will purchase the desired grass, reading and understanding of labelling on the packaging may be hallucinating. There is no well-defined dose of herbal medicines and to complicate matters further, there is no standard method for reporting doses in the packages. For example, a brand of kava kava (a herb used for anxiety) states containing two capsules of 300 milligrams of kava kava standardized to 30% kavalactones. What does that mean? Why tell us the dose of two capsules instead of just one, and what are kavalactones anyway? The bottle of kava kava with him stated that two of its 1000 milligram capsules containing kava kava from a concentrate of 4:1. Bottle containing the best dose of kava kava and how much should really be?

Besides needing a calculator to store herbs, a degree in pharmacy could be even more useful. The only problem with this is that most pharmacists are not trained in medicinal plants, either. Now do not get me wrong. I believe that herbs are a wonderful alternative to mainstream medical therapy. Since it is estimated that 80% of the world's population have used herbal medicines and herbs have been used for thousands of years, there must be some validity to its usefulness.

Not Sleeping Well Lately? Herbal Remedies for Insomnia

You hear everything - learn from the refrigerator, the yowl of the neighbor's dog and the shrill siren of a police car off in the distance. You hear everything because you're awake, is the three o'clock and you have to give a briefing to work five hours. You can not sleep and insomnia is on your nerves.

Fortunately, traditional herbal medicines are now available to help with this common cause, today's problem. More than half of all Americans have some sort of difficulty in obtaining or maintaining a rested night's sleep. It is sold without a prescription not herbal medicines for insomnia are limited to those that are commonly used antihistamines for allergies, but who help you sleep because they are so sedative. The options among herbal remedies insomnia, on the other hand, are numerous and mankind has had centuries of practice using them for the difficulties sleeping. Several of them even have the backing of scientific research showing its safety and efficacy to help improve sleep patterns.

Valerian root is one of the two most popular herbal therapies for insomnia. The plant from which the root is taken grows in temperate climates around the world. It has been used for more than a thousand years as a sleep remedy, especially for the great Hippocrates himself. Nobody knows exactly how to induce sleep, however, modern scientists have embarked on studies showing that it does, in fact, the clinical work in humans. A German study published in 1998 showed that a combination of valerian root and hops (another dream of inducing herb) worked, as well as a prescription of benzodiazepines force (similar to Valium) in treating sleep disorders. And valerian root, unlike benzodiazepines, is not addictive.

On the other side of the world, natives of the South Pacific have their own cure for insomnia. Kava kava, a shrub native to the islands, has long been used by the natives to induce relaxation and provide a sense of wellbeing when drunk in important religious rites. Scientific research supports the effectiveness of kava kava as a cure for anxiety and sleep disorders. An article published in Pharmacopsychiatry in 1997, for example, showed a significant improvement in anxiety in subjects who took kava kava compared with those who took a placebo. Like valerian, kava kava is not addictive.

Modern science has not been so generous with other medicinal plants commonly used for insomnia. Research on humans using herbs such as hops, chamomile and passionflower is scarce and there is no scientific evidence to indicate one way or another if they have an effect on sleep. However, are often sleep herbal of aid. Fortunately, no one has shown that they are unsafe for consumption either. Given centuries of tradition-based plants that supports its effectiveness for insomnia, can we expect at least something useful for those with trouble sleeping. Some herbs actually sleep-aid are a mixture of a primary as kava kava or valerian herb along with smaller quantities of hops, passionflower and chamomile. Se cree que the last three herbs increase the dream of promoting properties of the main herbal ingredients.

How much should you take?

Determining the appropriate dose of kava kava or valerian root of the packages in the store or pharmacy healthy can be complicated enough to keep you awake at night. There is no labelling rules for herbal preparations, many of the labels can be quite confusing (and I daresay, misleading?).

When looking for a product kava, make sure the capsule contains a "normalization of extract of kava." Most normalization of extracts from kava kava containing approximately 30% kavalactones, the active ingredients in kava. The recommended dose is kavalactones of 60-200 milligrams per day, usually taken twice daily. Therefore, if the package states that a capsule contains 300 milligrams of kava kava standardized to 30% kavalactones, which actually contains only 100 milligrams of active ingredient. (Tip: 300 milligrams multiplied by 30% or 0.3 to get 100 milligrams of kavalactones). Fortunately, a capsule containing 100 milligrams of kavalactones is just right.

By choosing valerian root, look for a capsule containing at least 500 milligrams of valerian. Two of these capsules should be taken simultaneously for insomnia relief. Valerian root is perhaps more commonly in combination with other herbs to sleep that is kava kava. Usually, if you look for a capsule containing the correct amount of valerian root, the rest of the ingredients are in much smaller quantities. While the other herbal ingredients may or may not be effective for sleep disorders, which probably can not hurt either.

I encourage you to experiment with different products to see what works best for you. None of the herbal remedies is intended to be used every night indefinitely, but rather for the occasional night when the dream escapes. If you have a serious problem with insomnia, I suggest you consult your health care provider for further advice. Happy sleeping!

Get with the Flow: Herbs for Prostate Health

"I think I have prostate problems." Many middle-aged men have Mumbles these words to your healthcare provider, with the hope of alleviating the symptoms of urinary disturbing as the lack of urinary stream, incomplete emptying the bladder, a frequent need to empty the night and repeated emptying. It is estimated that over 50 percent of men develop these symptoms at some point in their lives, resulting in a significant reduction in the perceived quality of life.

The blame for this medical condition is common prostate gland, a walnut-sized gland that lies below the bladder and surrounds the urethra, the tube through which urine flows, as it leaves the bladder. Only men have a prostate gland which has an important role in supplying components necessary for the fluid that transports sperm. Unfortunately, as men age, there are changes in levels of sex hormones in their bodies which translates into an accumulation of the hormone testosterone in the prostate. Inside the prostate gland, the testosterone is metabolized in its most potent form, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is partially responsible for the increase in prostate size. When the prostate is enlarged, is squeezed off the urethra, making it difficult for urine to pass. And so the problem.

Until 1990, only traditional medical models offer surgery for men with enlarged prostates (a condition known as benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH). The surgery, called transurethral resection of the prostate or TURP, which involved using a device that went into the urethra via the penis and scrape out sections of the prostate. Besides being painful and expensive, often had to be repeated after several years. In 1990, a drug called finasteride (Proscar) was approved for prostate enlargement. It works by inhibiting the enzyme that turned testosterone into DHT, which in turn reduce the proliferation of prostate tissue. Its main "side effect" is its cost, nearly $ 800 dollars a year.

In the last decade, increasing attention has been paid to herbal medicines for enlargement of the prostate that have proven in clinical trials research to be effective in relieving symptoms in the prostate significantly lower cost and with remarkably few side effects. At the risk of sounding lofty, however, I refuse to say another word about these herbs useful until I am sure that I have reached the point as to what should be the first step before trying to use those resources if Symptoms of prostate:

Ask your health care provider for an examination of his prostate. It is not something to treat their own without first seeing a provider. Prostate cancer has the same symptoms that an enlarged prostate and is treatable if caught early.

Thank you. I feel better. More ... Three herbs have particular promise in reducing the symptoms of BPH. An extract taken from the saw palmetto berries, a dwarf palm native to Florida, has been the most extensively studied herbal remedy for this condition. Saw palmetto is cree to block the same enzyme as finasteride lead to a contraction of the prostate tissue and the resulting improvement in urine flow. Although no head-to-head between the two studies have been carried out, some of the studies indicated that Saw Palmetto can work better than finasteride (and at a fraction of the cost).

The bark of an African tree known as Pygeum africanum offers another alternative for the treatment of BPH. Although there are fewer studies on the effectiveness of Pygeum for this condition, is widely used in Europe and it is generally considered safe. Investigators believe that Pygeum has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce the growth of certain types of cells in the prostate. Many products on the market "Prostate Health" containing a combination of Saw Palmetto and Pygeum.

Even less well studied stinging nettle is that it is also commonly used on many products containing herbs for symptoms of prostate cancer. Are known to have a mild diuretic effect that improves urine flow, but may also have some anti-inflammatory effect on prostate as well. While the mechanism of action is unclear, clinical studies show that improving urinary symptoms in men with BPH. (As you may already have guessed, scientific research on herbal therapies is limited due to lack of funding for such research.)

And so, having had a proper examination to prove the absence of cancerous tissue in the prostate and whether it had decided to try an herbal remedy for symptoms of prostate cancer, his trip to the pharmacy will be less confusing if you look for the following themes of the label of any product you choose: * Saw palmetto should be one of the ingredients if not the only ingredient. It has the best scientific evidence to support its effectiveness. Each pill must contain 160 milligrams of extract Saw Palmetto to be taken twice daily.

* The bottle must say that Saw Palmetto extract contains between 85 and 95% of fatty acids or "Lipophylic constituents." * The presence of stinging nettle or Pygeum are optional, and certainly not dangerous. The recommended dose is Pygeum 100-200 milligrams of extract daily. The recommended dose of stinging nettle is 770 milligrams twice a day. Note: Most products contain far from the respective quantities of these plants so do not worry so much about these doses as it does on the dose of Saw Palmetto in the product. * There is some evidence that zinc, pumpkin seed oil, licorice and some amino acids are useful in promoting the health of prostate and many combination products containing these as well. They do not hurt. Note that can take up to three months before you notice the greatest relief of symptoms. It's probably best to wait so long before deciding that the product does not work for you. Fortunately, at about $ 15 a month, you will not have to take out a loan to see if it works!

A Hot Topic: Herbs and Menopause Menopause

Women in the millions are headed by a shift-change, rather that not-so-magical moment of a woman's life when her ovaries decide to call it departs. Doctors call it "menopause, women have other names for the phenomenon dreaded experiencing, usually between the ages of 45 and 55. Traditional Western medicine has been limited to forms that could support women who come to their physician with complaints classic-menopausal hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings and memory or concentration difficulties. For these women, the options have been limited to two: 1) hormone replacement therapy with drugs that contain estrogen and progesterone, hormones that the ovaries stop making at menopause, or 2) living with her.

Today, however, women are demanding more choices of ways they can be more comfortable without having to rely on synthetic hormone therapy. Leaving aside the traditional medical therapy, herbal remedies have become increasingly popular for women who want to make a good natural menopause, but the transition. In a three-part series of articles, I will discuss the various medicinal herbs for menopause and help you make an informed decision about what is best for you.

One of the most popular herbs for menopausal symptoms is black Cohosh root, harvested from a bush native plants and parts of eastern North americas. It has been used widely in Europe as a treatment for menopausal hot flashes and is gaining popularity in the U.S.. The way black Cohosh works to control hot flashes is interesting and worth discussion. Unfortunately, most painless means a mini-conference on menopause and why hot flashes occur. Therefore, if you are for it ...

When a woman approaches menopause, your ovaries basically raise awareness and stop producing the usual amount of estrogen and progesterone, hormones normally produced cycle in women menstruating. The brain, sensing the relative lack of female hormones, starts sending chemical signals in an attempt to attract the ovaries to "pick up the pace a bit and produce more hormones. These brain chemicals are called follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The women in menopause have many of these hormones in their bodies. Scientists believe that fluctuations in the highest levels of LH, in particular, are the causes of hot flashes.

Enter Cohosh black. When taken for menopausal symptoms, the herb attaches itself to some of the same receptors in the body that estrogen does and tricks the brain into thinking it is really estrogen. The LH levels are reduced hot flashes and get better. Easy, huh?

Well, not exactly. If black Cohosh can fool the brain into thinking it is estrogen, it does act like estrogen in other ways? More importantly, does carry the same risk of stimulating the growth of estrogen-sensitive cancers (such as some breast and uterine cancer) as well as estrogen real? Although not completely understood scientifically, recent evidence suggests that black Cohosh has minimal estrogenic properties. This means that while grants to estrogen receptors and estrogen, not "become" receptors in the same way as estrogen. Apart from its effects on the brain LH secretion, it is not known to stimulate the lining of the uterus or do any other of the commonly known estrogen does things. In other words, part of the body is fooled into thinking black Cohosh is the estrogen, but not all of it.

So what does all this mean? If science can prove that black Cohosh reduces levels of LH but does not act like estrogen completely, this may be an excellent option for postmenopausal women at risk for estrogen-sensitive cancers that otherwise would not be candidates for traditional therapy Hormone replacement. The "jury" is still in this, but I personally am very hopeful that this will be the case.

If you're willing to give black Cohosh an example, here's what you need to know before heading to the store to buy some. Look for a brand reputation that gives the dose of black Cohosh as an "extract". The daily dose should be approximately 80 milligrams of extract. Sometimes, other herbs are mixed with the black Cohosh and called for a "formula of menopause." This is probably fine, but as you can learn in the following articles, each herb is not as effective or as safe Cohosh black and he can invite the undesirable side effects. Take it for a month or so and see how he feels. There has been no scientific studies on black Cohosh beyond 6 months of use to see your healthcare provider if you want to use the grass for that.

Feminine Forever? More Herbs for Menopause

Menopause is the ideal audience for marketers of all types of medical devices. Overwhelmed by the symptoms do not like and just understand, menopausal women are desperate for relief and exceptionally sensitive to complaints from manufacturers of products that supposedly "cured" of their illnesses and menopause avoid the aging process. Now, do not get me wrong. The traditional doctors are as guilty when writing prescriptions for synthetic estrogen and progestin for menopausal and tell their patients the drug will be those of getting heart disease and osteoporosis. What I have done myself. I think, what woman does not want to hear the answer to all their problems is packed in a small pill? If menopause is a state of estrogen and progesterone deficiency, why not just replace what is missing and things back the way it was?

I wish that were so easy. Medicines and, yes, even natural herbs risks and benefits. None offers the perfect answer, especially when it comes to menopause. Two natural products promoted as potentially useful for menopausal symptoms are dong quai and wild yam extract. According to the see-before-you-leap philosophy of this site, I think it would be worthwhile to look more closely at each of these before rushing to buy.

First, let's look at wild yam. Just to get this straight, did not eat for Thanksgiving last year. Wild yam comes mainly from Mexico and is unrelated to the type we eat. In the years 1940, it was discovered that the wild yam contains diosgenin, a chemical precursor of progesterone found naturally in humans. Nothing much came to the conclusion, commercially speaking, because shortly thereafter, pharmaceutical companies have found a way to manufacture a synthetic progesterone-like chemical that was, quite frankly, an easier way to make money. Such synthetic progesterone found in birth control pills and in most forms medically prescribed hormone replacement therapy for menopause. Recently, however, natural progesterone has made a return, especially in a topical cream applied in which the progesterone (derived from wild yam) is absorbed through the skin. Available nonprescription, does not have to imitate the body of natural progesterone, is actually the same chemical that we have in our bodies.

Is this type of product? Probably. The saliva tests to show predictable progesterone increases several hours after progesterone cream is applied to the skin. Moreover, studies have shown improvement, especially in premenopausal symptoms such as fluid retention, heavy or irregular menstrual cycles, depression and mood swings that actually precede the cessation of menstruation for several years. In women with hot flashes and night sweats, there is some evidence that wild yam cream alone provide relief without the simultaneous use of estrogen, a necessary condition "ingredient" of medically-prescribed therapy. This is good news for those who are concerned about the Estrogens related risks such as breast or uterine cancer and blood clots. The risk of osteoporosis, too, is probably reduced by the use of wild yam cream.

So what is the disadvantage? Wild yam cream is not entirely natural. Remember I said that contain wild yam "diosgenin" and not actually progesterone. His body can not make the chemical change itself so that the wild yam has to go through a laboratory for chemical conversion before it can be effective. That is not a bad thing as far as I'm concerned, but beware of someone trying to sell land of fresh wild yam field of menopause therapy.

The product you buy should have already been converted to progesterone (although the label does not necessarily say that) and should be able to provide a concentration of progesterone so that the amount to be applied between 15 and 20 milligrams per day. A concentration of about 400 milligrams per ounce is a good idea. Again, not really "natural" but the end result is a chemical that is identical to progesterone.

Dong quai, also known as angelic china, is a traditional remedy herbal found in many "support for menopause" formulas available at the pharmacy or health food store. Chinese herbalists cree that has the ability to "balance" the female hormone system and is known to improve uterine cramps.

Although dong quai is backed by centuries of use in herbal medicine china, modern studies do not support its effectiveness for menopausal symptoms. A 1997 study showed no benefit from dong quai over placebo in postmenopausal women with hot flashes. In addition, it carries significant risks if used incorrectly. The root contains a photosensitizing chemical that can cause severe burns or rashes and sensitive women, in others there is the possibility of bleeding complications.

Therefore, the take-home message is this: I can not say that I am particularly excited with dong quai, but if it works for you and you are aware of the risks, by all means use it.

Wild yam cream, on the other hand, has potential. I think if a woman does his homework and buys a product containing adequate amounts of progesterone reputation, it is a good opportunity to get some relief from their symptoms of menopause. Bringing to menopause women who suffer from irregular menstrual cycles heavy cream May actually find this useful as it can provide a respite highly appreciated the often unpredictable cycles of these women have.

Phytoestrogens for Menopause:What does it all Mean?

This is not easy for me to admit. After scouring the Internet and textbooks for the latest research on phytoestrogens for menopause, I am stumped as to what that all means and what to recommend to women considering the use of phytoestrogens for the relief of menopausal symptoms. Frankly, I discovered that many of the studies and articles in conflict with one another. By the time I was finished, I did not know what to believe. However, let's look at the data and see what we can resolve.

Phytoestrogens are chemicals found naturally in plants that are biologically related to human estrogen. There are phytoestrogens in soy, clover, alfalfa sprouts and flaxseeds, soybean is the most commonly used source in the human diet. Soyprotein is found in tofu, soy milk, soy nuts, "vegetarian" and hamburgers in some supplements in tablet form. It is in the soy isoflavones, which give phytoestrogenic properties.

What are phytoestrogens good for? Unfortunately, it depends on what kind of research that are looking at. The cultural studies argue that soy is good for preventing breast cancer and for reducing hot flashes in women because Asian women, who consume a large amount of soy in their diet, have a lower risk for both conditions, compared with American women. The problem as I see it, however, is that soy is not the only difference in our diet (not to mention our genetic makeup, either) and that consumption of soy could be why not relate to Asian women have a better risk profile than we do.

Some menopausal women in clinical studies showed a reduction in hot flashes in those who consume soy isoflavones compared with those who took a placebo. Other studies showed no statistical differences. I do not know how to interpret studies that differ from this type.

I was particularly intrigued by the biochemical studies of phytoestrogens. It appears from these studies that make the plant estrogens bind to estrogen receptors in the human body, but to an extent which is 100 times less than human estrogens. The results are divided, however, on whether the plant estrogen, once linked to an estrogen receptor to activate the receiver (hence, have estrogenic properties) or shuts down the receiver (thereby having anti-estrogenic properties).

Why is this important? Because if the soy protein has estrogenic properties positive, I will not be too enthusiastic about recommending it to women who are at risk of developing estrogen-dependent cancers as breast cancer. Anything that acts as an estrogen in theory could feed these types of cancer, stimulating growth. Moreover, studies in animals and cell cultures of cancer have shown that soy phytoestrogens actually inhibit the growth of this type of cancer rather than encourage them.

Okay, so maybe I'm just being picky about the details but I really wish that someone would do research to determine how soy phytoestrogens affect breast cancer cells and could therefore provide safe soy as an option for women without having to worry about their breast cancer risk. Despite the lack of agreement between research on soy phytoestrogens, some things can be said of soybeans that make a good addition to your diet:

1. I am thus reducing cholesterol reduces the risk of heart disease.
2. Soybeans may reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
3. There seems to be no evidence to suggest that soy increases the risk of breast cancer.
4. It can help reduce hot flashes in menopause.

Nobody seems clear on how to eat soybeans. Most sources indicate that about 3 ounces of tofu or 60 grams of soy protein eaten daily is appropriate to lower cholesterol and minimize the hot flashes.

The tablet forms of soy isoflavones that I found at the pharmacy contained 1.5-2 grams of concentrated soy isoflavones per capsule to be taken four times a day. Is my math is all wrong or that not only 8 grams of soy per day? And what does "soy isoflavones concentrated"? Does it mean that you need less of it because it is concentrated? I have no idea how to answer these questions and manufacturers are suspiciously vague in this regard.

The bottom line is that I'm pretty sure soy protein is healthy for you and can help reduce the symptoms of menopause. It may or may not be effective in reducing the risk of breast cancer and is probably better to get in their diet instead of using the supplements in pill form. How do you decide to turn tofu into a tasty dish of the whole family will love depends on you.