womens health
Personal Care Products: Are they making us sick?
February 27, 2012 | 
Author There has been a flurry of news attention recently on the potential dangers of toxic ingredients in personal care products. Certain ingredients have been linked to respiratory conditions, endocrine disruption, and even cancer. Avoiding potentially harmful additives can be challenging as products often contain long lists of chemicals that can be hard to decipher. I often encourage my patients to start by avoiding phthalates. Phthalates help lotions to penetrate skin and help synthetic fragrances to last longer. Unfortunately, they also disrupt hormones and have been linked to PMS, infertility, and breast cancer. Phthalates are not usually listed in the ingredients but whenever you see fragrance, perfume, or parfum you can assume they are present. That means choosing non-scented products and those scented with essential oils.
Avoiding phthalates is a great start. Other ingredients to watch out for include parabens, triclosan, and sodium lauryl sulfate. Environmental Defence Canada has put together a pocket shopping guide of Toxic Ten Ingredients as part of their Just Beautiful campaign that you can download from justbeautiful.ca. You can also visit lesstoxicguide.ca for lists of non-toxic products that you can find in Nova Scotia.
Posted in Environmental Medicine, Infertility, Naturopathic Medicine, PMS, fertility, hormone health, womens health | 
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PMS – A Naturopathic approach to this common (but not normal!) syndrome.
If you are like most women (80%) you recognize that your period is coming by the changes you feel, emotionally and physically. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) refers to more than 150 symptoms that occur in the 2nd half of your cycle, after ovulation. Most women report increasing symptoms in their 30′s and 40′s, which makes sense given that most women are estrogen dominant as they approach menopause. There are 4 categories of PMS:
PMS – A: Anxiety (65-75%of PMS sufferers)
- Anxiety, tension, feeling “on edge”
- Irritability, anger
- Mood swings, Insomnia, Depression
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Sensitive to Criticism
PMS – C: Cravings (30% of PMS sufferers)
- Cravings for sweets and carbohydrates
- Increased appetite
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Heart Palpitations
PMS – D: Depression (25-35% of PMS sufferers)
- Depression
- Forgetfulness, confusion
- Lethargy
- Withdrawal and disinterest in usual activities
- Insomnia
PMS – H: Hyperhydration/Water Retention (50% of PMS sufferers)
- Breast swelling and tenderness
- Abdominal bloating
- Weight gain of over 3 lbs
- Swelling of the face, hands, fingers and ankles.
Other symptoms common to all types of PMS can include: bowel changes (constipation, diarrhea), cramping, changes in libido, backache, headache, acne and other skin changes, night sweats, insomnia and nausea.
Most women fall into one or more categories, but find that one of the above categories best matches their symptoms. This is useful as it helps us to identify underlying causes, as well as manage symptoms until we get to the root cause.
What is the root cause?
As I said earlier, most women know their period is on its way based on how they are feeling. That part is normal. What isn’t normal is for symptoms to begin more than 1-2 days before the period starts, begin immediately after ovulation, cause major disruptions in life, or cause enough discomfort to require pain medication.
Finding the root cause can be tricky, but most of the time estrogen dominance is to blame. Estrogen dominance is when estrogen is high relative to progesterone. This can be a “true” dominance (estrogen is high, progesterone is normal) or a relative dominance (estrogen is normal, progesterone is low). Women who have been on hormonal birth control for many years, or have known exposure to xenoestrogens (ie, plastics, pesticides) often have a “true” dominance picture. In that case, we support the liver’s detoxification of estrogens and use foods to influence the balance of estrogen and progesterone (ie phytoestrogens). In cases of “relative” dominance, which is most common in peri-menopause when progesterone levels start to decline, we use herbs like Vitex to support the production of progesterone. Treating estrogen dominance usually takes 3-6 months, but most women begin to feel better after just 4-6 weeks.
Treating the “branches”
While the “root” cause is often estrogen dominance, the “branches” aka symptoms, can also be treated while we wait for the root to heal. The most common symptoms I see related to PMS are:
- Anxiety/Irritability/Mood Changes
- Insomnia/Sleep changes (especially during peri-menopause)
- Fatigue
There are a number of therapies that can be used to successfully manage the “branches”, including melatonin, 5-HTP, l-theanine, inositol and/or herbs that support adrenal health such as licorice, eleuthrococcus and ashwaganda. Many patients feel very discouraged by the time they seek out naturopathic care, having suffered for many years. Many women are also concerned that their symptoms are becoming more severe as they get older. In most cases, my patients report a 75% improvement in symptoms by 3 months, with many reporting significant improvement in just 1 month!
Correcting the imbalance
- Include phytoestrogens in your diet: beans, lentils, flax (2 tbsp/day). Some women also benefit from including soy foods (soy milk, soy beans, soy nuts, tofu).
- Reduce red meat consumption to less than 2x/month
- Reduce caffeine, sugar and alcohol
- Manage stress levels. Cortisol and progesterone come from the same precursor – your body will make cortisol at the expense of progesterone when under stress (physical/mental/emotional), making estrogen dominance worse.
- Choose organic foods most often, especially the “Dirty Dozen“.
- Avoid using plastics.
- See an ND to ensure a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
PMS may be common, but it isn’t normal! It’s just a symptom of an underlying hormone imbalance that can easily be corrected with the right kind of treatment.
Posted in PMS, Premenstrual Syndrome, Uncategorized, Wellness, anxiety, depression, hormone health, womens health | Comments Closed
Osteoporosis and Diet – Beyond Calcium.
Just a few short years ago, the bulk of dietary recommendations for osteoporosis revolved around calcium. But, over the past number of years, new players have come onto the field and calcium is now taking somewhat of a backseat when it comes to importance.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is the “sunshine vitamin”. While exposure to sunlight provides vitamin D, Canadians are at risk of seasonal vitamin D deficiency because winter sunlight in northern latitudes above 35º does not contain enough ultraviolet B for vitamin D production. Osteoporosis Canada’s new guidelines (July 2010) recommend daily supplements of 400 to 1000 IU for adults under age 50 without osteoporosis or conditions affecting vitamin D absorption. For adults over 50, supplements of between 800 and 2000 IU are recommended. I feel that everyone (especially those with osteoporosis) should have their vitamin D levels check (ask for 25-hydroxyvitamin D). This allows for individualized supplementation.
In my experience, most people in Nova Scotia need more than the recommended amounts to maintain optimal levels of vitamin D.
Magnesium
Magnesium is a very important mineral, and vitamin D’s most important cofactor. In fact, it has been shown that low levels of magnesium inhibit formation of the active form of Vitamin D.
Food sources of magnesium include:
- Halibut
- Spinach
- Squash
- Seeds, especially pumpkin and toasted sesame
- Beans, especially pinto and black
- Plantain, raw
- Nuts, especially Brazil nuts, almonds, peanuts
Magnesium oxide is the most common form of magnesium sold, but only about 4% is absorbed, making it ineffective at providing the body’s magnesium needs. Magnesium taurate, glycinate, citrate, and gluconate have demonstrated higher absorption and bioavailability. Magnesium malate and glycinate are considered by many to be even more effective supplemental forms.
Vitamin K
This vitamin, once only known for it’s role in blood clotting is thought to be as important as Vitamin D and Calcium in maintaining bone health. Unlike other fat-soluble nutrients, vitamin K is not stored in the body and must be received daily through diet or supplementation. In fact, research indicates one can become deficient in vitamin K in as little as 7 days. While there are 3 types of vitamin K, K2 is an important cofactor for Vitamin D.
Green leafy vegetables are the best source of vitamin K – another good reason to eat them!
Boron
Boron is a trace mineral, recently found to be important in bone health. It is found in many foods, but concentrated in:
- fresh fruits and vegetables
- nuts
- seeds
- honey
- dried prunes
So what about Calcium? Do I still need to take it?
Calcium is still a very important mineral in preventing and treating osteoporosis. However, most of the recent research seems to indicate that you can get too much of a good thing, and that less is more when it comes to calcium. A recent study, which analyzed data from the WHI (Women’s Health Initiative) found that women who started taking calcium and vitamin D had increased risk for heart attack and stroke. But, dietary sources of calcium aren’t a problem – so be sure to include good sources of calcium every day. And, discuss the need for calcium supplements with your ND or MD.
M. J. Bolland, A. Grey, A. Avenell, G. D. Gamble, I. R. Reid. Calcium supplements with or without vitamin D and risk of cardiovascular events: reanalysis of the Women’s Health Initiative limited access dataset and meta-analysis. BMJ, 2011; 342 (apr19 1): d2040 DOI: 10.1136/bmj.d2040
Posted in Naturopathic Medicine, Nutrition, Osteoporosis, Uncategorized, womens health | Comments Closed
Understanding Peri-Menopause
Peri-Menopause is defined as the period of time (ranges from 6 months to several years) that immediately precedes true menopause. And, as most women find out, it can often be more symptomatic than the actual experience of menopause itself. If any of these symptoms sounds familiar, you may be peri-menopausal:
- Decreased sex drive
- Irregular or otherwise abnormal menstrual periods
- Bloating (water retention)
- Breast swelling and tenderness
- Fibrocystic breasts
- Headaches (especially premenstrually)
- Mood swings (most often irritability and depression)
- Weight and/or fat gain (particularly around the abdomen and hips)
- Cold hands and feet (a symptom of thyroid dysfunction)
- Hair loss
- Thyroid dysfunction
- Sluggish metabolism
- Foggy thinking, memory loss
- Fatigue
- Trouble sleeping/insomnia
- PMS
And, even more surprising to hear is that peri-menopause is a condition of estrogen dominance, and not estrogen defeciency. The defeciency side of the coin doesn’t usually come into play until much close to menopause. In the early years, progesterone defeciency is the real culprit. Why?
It’s all about the eggs…
It’s no surprise to hear that our eggs lose their youthfullness as we age, but so do the follicles that the eggs grow in. And, it’s the follicle remnant (corpus luteum) that produces progesterone in the second half (luteal phase) of our menstrual cycle. As we age, the amount of progesterone produced decreases. So, in a peri-menopausal woman, you may have a normal follicular phase (first half of the cycle) but a shortened (or absent) luteal phase, leading to an imbalance between estrogen and progesterone. What needs to be deciphered is whether or not it’s a “true” estrogen dominance (high estrogen, normal progesterone), or if it’s a “relative” defeciency, where estrogen is normal but progesterone is defecient. The best way to determine this is by using saliva hormone testing. Conventional blood work will tell us if your hormone levels fall outside of the normal reference ranges, but it won’t tell us the relationship between the two at a given point in your cycle, nor does it break down estrogen into it’s 3 forms: estone, estradiol, and estriol. This is important information, as it can lead to more effective treatment. But, we don’t always have to proceed with saliva hormone testing, especially if the symptom picture is clear.
Will you need progesterone cream or supplements?
Maybe, but probably not. In my experience, the vast majority of patients with estrogen dominance respond very well to dietary interventions, functional medicine and carefully chosen herbs. There are a variety of herbs that can help treat estrogen dominance and/or progesterone deficiency, and are my preferred treatment of choice.
What can I do NOW?
Keep in mind that it can take up to 3 months for any therapy to take full effect. However, most of my patients begin to feel better long before that, often in as little as 3 weeks. Here’s what you can do to get things started:
- Exercise. Numerous studies have found that women who exercise for 30 minutes/day fare better than their sedentary counterparts.
- Reduce alcohol, sugar and red meat consumption.
- Add beans and legumes to your diet, 3-4x/week
- Learn to love flax! Try to get 2 tbsp/day
- Reduce exposure to xenoestrogens (chemical estrogens). This includes pesticides and plastics. Click here for more information about plastics.
- Keep stress in check. Too much stress, resulting in excess amounts of cortisol, insulin, and norepinephrine, which can lead to adrenal exhaustion and can also adversely affect overall hormonal balance
If you are interested in Naturopathic care, please feel free to call or email with any questions you may have.
Posted in Naturopathic Medicine, hormone health, menopause, peri-menopause, womens health | Comments Closed
Naturopathic Pregnancy Care
I love working in women’s health, and I especially love working with pregnant women - there is no group more motivated to eat well and live a healthy lifestyle. I work with women in all stages of their reproductive life (pre-conception, fertility care, pregnancy, post-partum and menopause), and most of my patients have found that naturopathic pregnancy care is a wonderful complement to their other prenatal care (midwife/GP/OB/Doula).
Sometimes pregnant mothers come to us because they are not feeling well, but often they are existing patients who are simply extending their naturopathic care. Either way, naturopathic medicine has a lot to offer. The following are common areas we address during naturopathic prenatal visits:
- Nutrition: Nutritional adequacy, deficiency prevention, food aversions/cravings, special considerations during pregnancy (ie. Iron, folic acid)
- Symptom Management: Nausea, fatigue, heartburn, muscle cramps, etc.
- Labour preparation: discussion of birth plan, breastfeeding preparation, pain management, etc.
- Post-Partum care: Breastfeeding support, post-partum depression, wellness, labour recovery, etc.
Usually, we will see a mother once per trimester, and approximately 6 weeks post-partum. Occasionally, we need to schedule more frequent visits, but that is case dependant.
If you are interested in naturopathic pregnancy care, you may be interested in our ‘Healthy Pregnancy Package’. And, as always, please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.
Naturopathic (In)fertility Care.
I hesitate to use the word “infertility”, even with my patients who are undergoing IVF treatments. It seems like such a negative word, which is why I prefer to use the term “fertility care”. It may be semantics, but I believe that words matter, so I choose to use positive words.
After almost 8 years of practice, I still feel honoured when asked to be part of patient’s journey to become a parent. As a parent myself, I understand the desire and drive to nurture a child, and have the utmost respect for those who travel great distances (emotionally, financially and geographically) to become parents. I have worked with patients in various stages of this journey, and thought a post outlining the various naturopathic options might be helpful.
Pre-Conception Care
As Naturopathic Doctors, we strongly believe in preventative medicine, and being prepared. A visit to an ND 3-6 months before trying to conceive is a good idea. This allows ample time to discuss fertility awareness, start basal body temperature monitoring, and address any cycle irregularities that may come up. If you are recently coming off of the birth control pill, this allows time for proper hormonal balance to be achieved. Our pre-conception care package includes 3 visits, with an emphasis on dietary analysis/interventions, and menstrual/BBT analysis.
Basic Fertility Care
The generally accepted definition of (in)fertility for those under 35 is lack of pregnancy after 12 months of intercourse without contraception. For those over 35, 6 months is the cut off. Most women who I see have recently met these criteria, and are either in limbo (waiting to see a reproductive endocrinologist) or are starting ART (assisted reproductive technologies).
For those waiting for a referral, we proceed on a path similar to those seeking pre-conception care. We review diet, health history, menstrual and basal body temperature charts. In some cases, we may suggest saliva testing to help uncover any underlying hormonal imbalances. We then attempt to correct any underlying issues (luteal phase defect, high FSH, long follicular phase, etc) and hope that the referral is never needed. Many women respond very well to a combination of herbal medicine and acupuncture, so the two are often combined. As long as you aren’t taking clomiphene (or other similar drugs), there are no contraindications to using herbal medicine as part of your treatment plan.
Fertility Care and IUI/IVF
A number of patients who are undergoing IUI or IVF seek acupuncture support during their cycle. A number of studies (more here) have highlighted the benefits of acupuncture, especially with IVF cycles. Ideally, a course of acupuncture is started 6-12 weeks before the cycle begins. But, we often get calls from women who are days away from egg retrieval, and will always do our best accommodate couples in these circumstances. But, if you are considering acupuncture during your IVF cycle, it’s best to give us a call as soon as you know the details so we can schedule you in. Our ART package may be of interest to you. Typically, visits are once a week. Special attention is paid to the pre-retrieval and post-transfer visits, as these are very important. Once embryo transfer has taken place, we like to see patients within 24 hours. Often, patients come to our clinic directly after transfer.
Not sure where you fit in?
Some patients have had the referral to a fertility specialist, but aren’t sure if proceeding with ART is right for them. In these situations, we would do our best to present you with alternatives, which would be along the lines of our pre-conception care plan. Naturopathic Medicine emphasizes balance, and sometimes a little balance is all that is needed.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us for more information.
The Naturopathic approach to treating anxiety and depression
Most of us have been affected by anxiety or depression (in some form) at some point in our lives. Stress, worry and sadness are all normal ranges of human emotion, but they sometimes take on greater importance when they start to interfere with our ability to cope with daily life. If you’ve been diagnosed with anxiety or depression, you may take medication, seek counseling, or both as part of your treatment plan. Many patients come to us seeking alternatives to medication, as they are concerned about side effects. As I always say, everything has its place, and some people need a combination of therapies to achieve wellness.
For many people, anxiety and depression is situational. In these cases, there is a distinct cause or event that has led to these feelings, and in these cases, the feelings are temporary. That’s not to say you don’t need help and support, but once the cause is removed (or situation is resolved), the anxiety and depression lift. Most cases of situational depression respond very well to naturopathic therapies. There are several herbs which can help with both anxiety and depression. When used properly, herbal medicines can be very effective alternatives to medication, with fewer side effects. Additionally, supplements such as vitamin D, the B vitamins and essential fatty acids can be used to help alleviate symptoms.
But, what about people who have suffered with anxiety and depression for many years, despite trying various therapies? In these cases, a more thorough assessment is needed to determine if there is an underlying cause. While the term “chemical imbalance” is often described as the cause of depression, it needs to be taken a step further. What has led to the imbalance? Are there nutrient deficiencies? Drug interactions? Chronic stress? Adrenal fatigue? Estrogen Dominance? These are all examples of conditions that need to be addressed.
So, at the end of the day, there are several alternatives that naturopathic medicine can provide in the treatment of anxiety and depression, including clinical nutrition, herbal medicine, acupuncture and lifestyle counseling. But, what is more important is that you find therapies that work for you. Talk to all of your health care providers, and trust that they are all working towards a common goal – your health.
Posted in Naturopathic Medicine, Wellness, anxiety, depression, womens health | 
Tags: Anxiety, Depression, naturopathic medicine | Comments Closed
Plastics – More cause for concern
Many of us have heard about the concerns over BPA (bisphenol A), a chemical used to manufacture certain types of plastic. Health Canada recently declared it a toxic chemical, and this should limit its use in the marketplace.
But, a recent study published in Environmental Health Perspectives raises concerns about all plastics used, stating that most plastics, when exposed to everyday conditions such as dishwashing, leach components with estrogenic activity.
The convenience of plastic is undeniable, especially when it comes to children’s toys, sippy cups and bottles. There is growing concern that the plastics we use everyday for drinking cups and food preparation contain chemicals that act as “endocrine disruptors”. This is especially concerning as certain chemicals in plastics appear to mimic estrogen, increasing the risk for estrogen sensitive conditions such as breast cancer and endometriosis. Some researchers have also expressed concern that the widespread use of plastics may play a role in the earlier onset of puberty seen in girls, and the delayed onset seen in boys.
The concern comes from the fact that several petroleum based products are used in the manufacture of plastics. When plastics products are heated, scratched, damaged or come into contact with oily or fatty food, there is a tendency for these products to leach into foods. Polycarbonate, PVC and Styrene are the types of plastics of most concern. You can identify these plastics if they have the numbers 3, 6 or 7 imprinted on them within the recycling symbol.
While this information is alarming, there are choices that can be made to balance risk with convenience. Here are a few “tips” to make plastic use safer:
- Avoid using plastic containers in the microwave.
- Don’t use “cling wrap”, especially in the microwave.
- Use alternatives to plastic packaging whenever possible.
- Use Pyrex or ceramic dishes to store foods, especially those with higher-fat content.
- Don’t use Teflon.
- Avoid plastic bottled water. Remember that bottles from #1 and #2 plastics are for single use only.
If you do re-use a plastic water bottle, watch for signs that the plastic is degrading: scratches, cloudiness, etc.
But what about baby bottles and sippy cups? Avoid bottles and sippy cups made with polycarbate (clear or coloured clear plastic). Examples include: Dr. Browns, Evenflo (clear), First Years, Gerber (clear), and Platex Vent Aire and First Sipster.
You can avoid plastic all together by choosing glass bottles and stainless steel sippy cups. While some parents are concerned about glass bottles breaking, they are usually made with shatter proof glass which increases their safety. If you are looking for a local source for these products, Nurtured on Robie Street is a good place to start. And, limiting the use of plastics also benefits the environment, something we all need to think about.
Soy – sorting fact from fiction – part 2: Soy and Thyroid health
Soy and the Thyroid
There are long-standing concerns that soy may have negative effects on thyroid function. Soy falls into a category of foods known as goitrogens — vegetables, grains and foods that promote formation of goiter — an enlarged thyroid. Some goitrogens also have a definite antithyroid effect, and appear to be able to slow thyroid function, and in some cases, trigger thyroid disease. As usual, things aren’t entirely clear with respect to soy.
The link between isoflavones and decreased thyroid function is, in fact, one of the few areas in which soy intake has called into question as problematic. Isoflavones, like genistein appear to reduce thyroid hormone output by blocking activity of an enzyme called thyroid peroxidase. This enzyme is responsible for adding iodine onto the thyroid hormones.
A quick look at the literature will reveal studies on both sides of the argument. On the other hand, a quick google search reveal hundreds of websites claiming that soy is a toxin to the thyroid gland.
A recent study published in 2006 in the journal Thyroid seems to clear up some of the confusion (1). The researchers looked at 14 trials involving soy, and in 13 out of 14 trials, either no effects or modest changes were noted in thyroid function as a result of soy consumption. The researchers state that there is little evidence that “in euthyroid, iodine-replete individuals, soy foods, or isoflavones adversely affect thyroid function.” The researchers also stated that “there remains a theoretical concern based on in vitro and animal data that in individuals with compromised thyroid function and/or whose iodine intake is marginal soy foods may increase risk of developing clinical hypothyroidism. Therefore, it is important for soy food consumers to make sure their intake of iodine is adequate.” They also claim that “some evidence suggests that soy foods, by inhibiting absorption, may increase the dose of thyroid hormone required by hypothyroid patients.”
This study is suggesting that soy is safe — unless you have a thyroid condition, or iodine deficiency. It also suggests that soy foods can inhibit absorption of thyroid medication. The study also goes on to say that despite these factors, soy foods are in fact safe, and all that is needed is to ensure sufficient iodine in the diet along with regular retesting and dosage changes of thyroid medication to make up for any effect the soy has on the thyroid medication.
So, where does that leave us? Here are my recommendations:
Excess consumption of soy can affect thyroid function, if you have a thyroid condition, or are not getting enough iodine. For the average patient (without thyroid concerns) you’re unlikely to get too many isoflavones as a result of adding soy foods to your diet — but you probably will take in too much if you take soy supplements in pill form.
I can say that in 7 years of practice, I’ve only seen a handful of patients who have clearly had their thyroid function altered by eating soy foods. And, in most of those cases, a vegan diet with very high intakes of soy foods was to blame. I have never seen thyroid function be affected my low to moderate intake of soy foods. But, if you have a thyroid condition, especially if you have ongoing symptoms, a soy-free trial may be in order.
If you are a thyroid patient being treated with medications, and you’re still suffering from hypothyroidism symptoms, consider eliminating soy from your diet to see if that helps relieve symptoms. If you are eating soy foods, you may want to avoid genetically-modified soy, until the debate over their safety has been resolved. If you are going to eat soy, select fermented and food forms of soy, for example tofu, tempeh, and miso. Avoid processed soy products — including soy powders, protein shakes, and other processed forms of soy.
1. Messina, M., Redmond, G. Effects of soy protein and soybean isoflavones on thyroid function in healthy adults and hypothyroid patients: a review of the relevant literature. Thyroid. 2006 Mar;16(3):249-58.
Soy – sorting fact from fiction. Part 1.
I don’t think there’s any food as controversial as soy these days. I’m asked about its use (and safety) almost daily. Is it safe? It is healthy? Will it hurt my thyroid? Does it cause breast cancer? Will it harm male fertility? Does it enhance female fertility? While I hope to answer most of these questions, it’s a very broad topic, so I think I have to break this into pieces.
Part 1 – Understading phytoestrogens.
Phytoestrogens are simply plant constituents that are able to bind to the estrogen receptor. And, most of the time they act like estrogen modulators. This means that in a high estrogen environment they help to reduce estrogen dominance, but in a low estrogen environement they can help to normalize low levels of estrogen. Many foods contain phytoestrogens: beans, flax, nuts, etc. The phytoestrogens of interest in soy foods are daidzein and genistein. These are called isoflavones.
So, are these isoflavones dangerous to human health? Well, maybe, but not likely. And, here’s why. In order for a hormone to have an effect in the body, it must be bound to a receptor. No receptor = no action. A common binding protein is SHBG (steroid hormone binding globulin). Interestingly, soy foods actually increase the production of SHBG, making fewer isoflavones available for binding to receptors. And, those that do bind, bind very weakly. It is estimated that phytoestrogens from soy only bind at 1/1000 the strength of even our bodies own estrogens. So far, we have a weak estrogen that’s not very available.
Let’s put a real life example in here. Is a pre-menopausal woman in her 30′s, who is still having regular menstrual cycles, likely to have any negative effects from consuming soy foods on a regular basis? Ie. soy milk, tofu, etc. Given that most of her receptors are taken up by her own estrogens (or stronger estrogens from the environment – pesticides, plastics, etc), any further stimulation by soy (remember, it’s activity is 1/1000 of human estrogen) will be minimal. But, what will the effect be 15-20 years later when she is menopausal? Given that most of her receptors will be sitting empty (hence the hot flashes), the isoflavones may exert a stronger estrogenic effect, which isn’t a bad thing in this case, as we know that estrogen is protective for our bones, brain and heart.
Another key point is that soy’s ability to bind to estrogen receptors (and take binding spots away from stronger estrogens like pestidices) is one of the postulated theories for soy’s possible protective effect. So, if an isoflavone is bound to the receptor, the stronger (more harmful) estrogen is out of luck.
So in summary, when a woman has little natural estrogen production (post-hysterectomy or postmenopause), isoflavones can attach to open estrogen receptor sites and produce a weak estrogenic effect. When there is too much estrogen (during PMS, and endometriosis for example), isoflavones can compete with estrogen for receptor sites, and because their effect is weak in comparison, they blunt the estrogenic effect.
I want to emphasize that we are talking about soy foods, not supplements. Soy foods include tofu, tempeh, soy beans, soy nuts and soymilk. For the time being, I don’t recommend soy supplements or powders on a regular basis. And, always choose organic soy, as almost all non-organic soy is made from genetically modified soy.
So, that’s a good place to start. Next up – Soy and Thyroid function. I hope to have part 2 up in the next week or so, assuming my kids don’t bring home another set of germs.