What You Don't Know About EstrogenOctober 2004
|LE Magazine October 2004|
|What You Don't Know About Estrogen|
The human body manufactures estrogen as a necessary component in many processes; estrogen is always in the body, even in postmenopausal women. Copper, too, is always in the body and is another example of something that can distort the way genistein behaves in a test tube.39 Researchers at the University of California, Davis, recently did the same test tube study on genistein and produced the same negative results. They then put genistein in a test tube with the cancer cells and environmental estrogens. The result showed that genistein suppressed cancer cell growth.40 These studies on pure genistein, however, do not accurately reflect what occurs in a complex environment such as the human body.
Fortunately, the safety of soy isoflavones (including genistein) for human consumption has been confirmed by experiments with monkeys, the experimental model closest to humans.41 Monkeys treated for three years with soy or soy minus its isoflavones exhibited no abnormal cell growth; in fact, the result was just the opposite. The researchers concluded, “These findings suggest that high dietary levels of soy isoflavones do not stimulate breast or uterine proliferation in postmenopausal monkeys and may contribute to an estrogen profile associated with reduced breast cancer risk.” In addition, a new study clarifying the estrogenic effects of genistein on the uterus found that genistein may enhance cell growth for a few days, but then the effect stops. This is a new finding, and the results are different from those for estrogen drugs that perpetuate growth indefinitely.42 With any luck, issues surrounding how genistein behaves will be soon resolved.
It is important to remember that genistein also blocks the growth of estrogen-receptor-negative breast cancer cells. By incorporating soy and isoflavones in her diet, a woman can potentially stop breast cancer before it develops.43 The one caveat is that genistein may interfere with tamoxifen, and thus should not be taken by itself with that drug.44
One of the most exciting new findings is that genistein keeps amyloid from killing brain cells (without any negative effects on uterine cells), and has been suggested as an alternative to synthetic estrogens for the prevention ofAlzheimer’s disease.45 Studies of the popular estrogen drugs Premarin® and Prempro™ show that they may actually increase the risk of dementia.46
Everybody knows that vegetables are good for you, and they are especially good for women who want to avoid breast cancer. Vegetables enable the body to rid itself of excess estrogens. Meat eaters have about 50% more estradiol and estrone in their blood than do vegetarians.47 Women who eat the most vegetables, beans such as lentils, and fiber reduce their risk of breast cancer risk by 50%.48 As you will read next, compounds found in vegetables favorably affect the way estrogen behaves in the body.
Other Ways To Tame Estrogen
I3C helps convert “strong” estrogens into benign or even helpful estrogens such as 2-hydroxyestrone.50,51 It also acts very much like tamoxifen in blocking undesirable estrogenic effects in breast cancer cells, and its antiestrogen effects are enhanced with genistein.52
When digested, I3C is converted to other substances, including diindolylmethane (DIM). Some earlier research suggested that I3C’s beneficial effects were due to DIM. New research shows this is not the case, and that there are important differences in the effects of I3C and DIM on the metabolism of estrogen. Researchers recently stated, “This finding [of I3C’s effects] is inconsistent with the claim that DIM is the biologically active metabolite of I3C with regard to its antiestrogenicity.” DIM does not increase beneficial 2-hydroxylation of estrogen (at least in rats), but it does lower harmful 4- and 6-hydroxylations.53 By contrast, I3C, which partially converts to DIM during digestion, affects all three in a positive way. Moreover, DIM does not have the anti-estrogen effects of I3C.54
Another potential supplement for breast cancer prevention that has drawn a lot of interest is melatonin. Melatonin is associated with sleep because it builds up during the night, but it may ultimately end up being more associated with estrogen than with sleep. Studies show that melatonin plays a major role in how estrogen behaves. In estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer cells, melatonin can bring cell growth to a halt.55 Research indicates that melatonin controls estrogen, and vice versa.55-57 In studies of rodents, melatonin shows great promise with regard to its ability to prevent breast cancer when given continuously, before and after exposure to a carcinogen, and when given to mice with the HER2/neu genetic alteration.58,59 Researchers have been unsuccessful in correlating blood levels of melatonin with breast cancer.60 This reflects melatonin’s complexity as a hormone that, like estrogen, comes in various forms and has several receptors. Without a doubt, melatonin plays a major role in breast cancer through its effects on estrogen and other cancer-related phenomena.
As an antioxidant, melatonin is not only powerful but also unique. Unlike vitamin E, which essentially has no further effects after it scavenges a radical, when melatonin gets a radical, it creates a new melatonin antioxidant; that is, it self-perpetuates. It also cooperates with other antioxidants like vitamins C and E.61 Antioxidants are very important in preventing cancer, and it has been reported that free radicals can activate or deactivate genes that are involved in breast cancer.62
In addition, melatonin may suppress cortisol, which is a stress-related hormone.63,64 It is interesting to note that the overwhelming majority of breast cancer patients say stress caused their disease.65 In a study of older women, 2 mg of melatonin per day reduced estradiol levels, enhanced sleep, and improved levels of DHEA.66 Melatonin is very potent, and as little as 0.3 mg per day may be enough to produce beneficial effects.
Breast cancer is a serious concern for most women. Understanding that there are different types of estrogen, that different estrogens have different effects, and that women can, to a certain degree, control their own estrogen (through dietary modification and supplement use) will help women make informed choices about estrogen exposure and reduce their risk of breast cancer. Recent discoveries about estrogen receptors and how they interact may finally unlock the mysteries of how estrogens work, and provide the basis for nontoxic treatment and effective prevention.