Isoflavones are a group of phenolic molecules belonging to the flavonoids. The characteristic that distinguishes them, and marks their use in herbal medicine, is the chemical structure similar to estrogen hormones. Isoflavones are therefore used instead of hormone replacement therapy in the treatment of menopausal symptoms in women . Let's find out better.
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Legumes, rich in isoflavones
Where isoflavones are found
Isoflavones are well localized in some botanical families. In Leguminosae, a family to which legumes belong, this group of molecules has been extensively studied in soy, Glycine max L. and clover, Trifolium pratense L.
The clover is a biennial or perennial herbaceous plant, up to 0.8 m tall, with pink-purple flowers and leaves consisting of three leaflets, often hairy. It commonly grows in our fields and uncultivated meadows and has the characteristic of releasing at the base of the petals a drop of nectar to thank the bees of their passage. The drug (the part of the plant that contains the active ingredient) is represented by the flowering top.
The clover promises to be the most powerful phytoestrogen .
Soy is a plant native to eastern Asia, annual, with trifoliate leaves, like all Leguminosae, white, pink or purple flowers, gathered in clusters. Typical is the brown hair that covers many parts of the plant. The fruits are short legumes.
Another plant containing isoflavones and used in the climacteric syndrome is Cimicifuga racemosa (Nutt.) Bart., Belonging to the Ranuncolaceae family. The cimicifuga is a perennial herbaceous plant up to 3 m tall with trilobed green leaves and white inflorescences collected in racemes. The name of the plant refers to the unpleasant smell of the inflorescences that would have the property of removing insects.
Properties of isoflavones
In the 1990s, research revealed that women, subjected to a diet supplemented with soy flour, had 40% less flushing compared to the period before taking it, while women who had been fed a flour-rich diet of wheat they had 25% less.
Other studies followed and made clear the role of isoflavones such as estrogen-like, to be administered in menopausal women to reduce their specific symptoms. The action of isoflavones is expressed by anchoring to the same receptors as conventional estrogens.
The isoflavones present in higher concentrations in soy and clover are biochanin A, formomonetine, genistein and daidzein.
Numerous studies have shown the ability of isoflavones to reduce the risk of breast cancer and bone fractures ; also acting on the reduction of neurovegetative disorders, such as flushing, sweating, excessive irritability . Finally, the action of isoflavanones in reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases has been demonstrated: by reducing the levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) in the blood and increasing the levels of the good one (HDL).
In commerce, soy or clover, are sold in dry extract; isoflavones are titrated and standardized with the highest estrogen-like activity, at a daily dose of 80 mg .
The cimicifuga deserves a separate paragraph, a plant that has been used for many years in the treatment of climacteric syndrome (flushing, sweating, insomnia, anxiety) and that has recently been banned due to a suspected toxicity case. Recently, in several scientific articles, the safety of the plant and its effectiveness in the treatment of climacteric syndrome has been confirmed, noting that the suspected cases of hepatotoxicity cannot be directly related to the use of the plant.
The estrogenic activity of the cimicifuga was related to the inhibitory effect exerted on the release of luteinizing hormone, LH. The recommended daily dose is 40-80 mg .
Contraindications of isoflavones
Isoflavones appear to be quite tolerated and free of side effects . The use of isoflavone-based supplements is however not recommended during pregnancy and lactation and outside a specific therapy for menopausal symptoms.
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