Plant hormones are responsible for the plant cycle of life - from its germination, development, fruiting, to flowering. Similarly, it is with hormones in humans - we mature and live according to our biological clock thanks to them. For us women, phytoestrogen is particularly important. I wrote in previous post, that they are similar to our oestrogen and occur in many plants that are worth including in your diet.
Phytoestrogens are divided into several groups, including:
Isoflavones: They're abundant in soybeans (soy is the richest source of phytoestrogen) and other legumes (beans, chickpeas, lentils) and also present in berries, grains, nuts and wine.
Lignans: Found in many fibre-packed plant foods, such as seeds, grains, nuts, fruits and berries. Flaxseeds are an especially rich source. I will give him some more time because he has many other great advantages :)
Resveratrol: Found in fruits, berries, red wine, chocolate and peanuts. Doctors recommend avoiding alcohol because it weakens the effects of hormone replacement therapy and these plant substitutes but a glass of red wine or a good hop beer from time to time will not hurt anyone.
Quercetin: This is one of the most common and abundant antioxidant flavonoids, found in numerous fruits, vegetables and grains.
Also herbs are a significant source of phytoestrogen:
black cohosh,
red clover,
chaste-tree berry,
dong quai,
evening primrose,
ginkgo biloba,
ginseng,
hollyhock,
dandelion
and liquorice
They are the most popular herbs for women experiencing problems with menopause.
There are also on the market a lot of supplements that contain phytoestrogens. I'm a little sceptical about supplements. Supplements are made with a variety of excipients, mostly synthetic, such as stabilizers and preservatives. We don't know how the plant extracts was obtained, whether they have of the right quality and cleanliness. Of course there are manufacturers who care about quality but we shouldn't expect that the product will be cheap.
It is important to read the labels carefully and, above all, consult a doctor, especially if we take medications. Herbs and supplements may be involved in failed reactions with medication.
Comments