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Saturday, September 13, 2008

It’s a hormone thing

4:12 PM


A woman can suffer a variety of symptoms directly linked to the level of oestrogen in her body

FEELING hot, flush and your temper on edge all the time? Your once flawless skin beginning to feel dry and showing signs of wrinkles? Millions of women around the world would be able to identify with these symptoms.


What they are unaware of is that these symptoms could be closely linked to the level of hormones in their bodies.

The demands and stress from today’s modern lifestyle can affect the production of the female hormone, oestrogen, which is crucial to a woman’s physical development.

It plays a role in her ability to bear children, and has bearings on her overall health. It is also responsible for the woman’s menstrual cycle, breast formation and manages her libido.

Therefore, any imbalance to the level of oestrogen in the body can cause severe repercussions to a woman’s health, resulting in symptoms like those above. So it is imperative that the level of oestrogen in a woman’s body be maintained at an acceptable level.

In a clinical study conducted on genistein, Dr Francesco Squadrito discovered that women who took 54mg of genistein a day (equivalent to two gallons of soy milk per day) have far denser bones than those who did not.

Genistein is one of the most active ingredients contained in soy isoflavones, which refers to a group of natural compounds extracted from soy. Another name for genistein is ‘phytoestrogen’.

The combination of ‘phyto’ (which means plant) and ‘oestrogen’ (the female hormone) implies that genistein has the ability to mimic the functions of oestrogen in the body, which enables it to modulate any imbalance.

The benefits of genistein include:

» Radiant, flawless and supple skin

Any fluctuations in the oestrogen level caused by everyday stresses can greatly reduce the ability of the cells in our skin to manufacture collagen and hyaluronic acid, which are the two key components for healthy, radiant skin. Therefore, balancing the fluctuation is important to maintain good skin health.

» Moisturising skin from the inside

Hyaluronic acid is a natural moisturiser contained within our skin cells. However, when the skin is exposed to environmental pollutants and stress for a long period of time, the production of hyaluronic acid reduce progressively. This will then cause our skin to become dry and wrinkled.

One of the most important discoveries about genistein is its ability to stimulate skin cells to increase the production of hyaluronic acid, which keeps the skin moisturised. Thus, it is advisable to drink at least eight glasses of water when consuming genistein.

» Alleviating menopausal symptoms

Hot flushes, irregular periods, night sweats, interrupted sleep, mood swings and vaginal thinning are some of the common symptoms of menopause. The more severe symptoms lead to an increased risk of osteoporosis (brittle bones) and heart problems. All these symptoms are directly linked to the decline of oestrogen in the body.
Genistein is a natural and safe alternative to increase the level of oestrogen in the body, hence alleviating the symptoms.

» Keeps calcium ‘locked in’ bones

Bones are dynamic living tissues that continuously ‘dissolve’ and ‘reform’ at an average of 10% annually. An adult skeleton is estimated to experience a complete cycle once in every 10 years.

The level of oestrogen in the body controls the process of bone reformation. A drop in the oestrogen level will result in the process of bone dissolving at a faster rate compared to the ability of the bone to reform.

As calcium – which is a mineral responsible for keeping bones strong and healthy – is stored in the bone, the increased rate of bones dissolving also indicates a loss of calcium. This will then lead to an increased risk from osteoporosis, or commonly known as brittle bones.

Genistein mimics the action of oestrogen, therefore, slowing down the process of calcium-loss in bones. This keeps bones stronger and denser over time.

It is advisable to include a variety of dairy products or calcium supplements in our daily diet to facilitate the cells to form stronger bones.

Choosing a good source of genistein is important as not all genistein supplements are the same. Here are some tips to identifying a good genistein supplement:

• Ensure that it contains a fixed and standard amount of genistein required by the body.

• Ensure that it is in tablet or capsule form. Genistein in powdered form may contain additional flavouring or proteins that may interfere with its absorption.

• Ensure that it is extracted from organic soy beans.

• Ensure that it has a low protein content. This is especially important when consumed by individuals with a history of gout.

• Ensure that it is sugar and flavour free. This is important for diabetics and those who are weight conscious.

• Ensure that it is made from non-genetically modified (non-GMO) soy beans.

• Ensure that it is individually packed in aluminium blister to maintain freshness and effectiveness.

Source : pharmacist@nuvanta.com

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