Balancing Health with Phytoestrogen-Rich Foods: Benefits and List

This article has been researched and written by Arelang Naturals^® in-house writers.

Estrogen, a crucial hormone in the female body, undergoes fluctuations throughout a woman's life. As we age, estrogen levels decline, which can lead to various challenges beyond what we can fathom. It doesn't only manifest in early onset menopause or during hot flashes. An estrogen imbalance can also lead to irregular menstrual cycles, acne, mood swings, and lots more, irrespective of the age you are at.

Estrogen plays a vital role in regulating numerous bodily functions in women, including reproductive health, bone density, heart health, memory and focus. Estrogen levels fluctuate at the beginning with puberty, peaking during the reproductive years, and gradually declining toward perimenopause ( the first stage of menopause) and menopause. However, modern-day lifestyles and diets can often lead to estrogen imbalance outside of these normal fluctuations, affecting several daily functions. This hormonal decline can lead to a range of symptoms and health concerns.

When estrogen levels decrease significantly, some women may experience symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, vaginal dryness, and decreased bone density. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a commonly prescribed treatment for addressing these symptoms. However, natural alternatives are preferred due to concerns about potential risks associated with long-term HRT use. This is where phytoestrogens enter.

What are Phytoestrogens?

Phytoestrogens are naturally occurring compounds found in plants that have a similar structure 17-beta-estradiol and bind similarly to estrogen receptors. Think of it as a milder, natural form of estrogen. They are essential in balancing estrogen levels in the body. The most common phytoestrogens include isoflavones (found in soybeans and legumes), lignans (found in flaxseeds and whole grains), and coumestans (found in alfalfa sprouts and clovers). These plant compounds are a great way to balance hormonal activity in the body, and since they are all natural, the body is so much more receptive to absorb them.

What are the Benefits of Phytoestrogens

a) Hormonal Balance: Phytoestrogens can help alleviate symptoms associated with declining estrogen levels, such as hot flashes and mood swings, by mimicking the effects of estrogen in the body. You know that low energy and depression you feel pre-period and when you don't want to touch your partner with a ten-foot pole? That could be your body's cry for estrogen help. Supplementing with phytoestrogens like Rekindle For Women from Caim by årelang can help balance the drop in your hormones.

b) Bone Health: Studies suggest that phytoestrogens could support bone health by maintaining bone density and reducing the risk of osteoporosis, just like estrogen. When estrogen levels decline, your bone health can massively take a hit. Phytoestrogens, specifically soy isoflavones, can help manage overall health by reducing bone loss.

c) Heart Health: Phytoestrogens are associated with reduced cardiovascular risks, including lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and improving arterial function. With an imbalance, your bad cholesterol can shoot up, and your heart health can be held hanging by a thread.

d) Breast Health: Research suggests that phytoestrogens may have a protective effect against breast cancer, potentially due to their ability to compete with more potent forms of estrogen that could alleviate breast cancer risks.

e) Cognitive Function: Phytoestrogens can potentially maintain cognitive function, focus and reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's.

f) Boost Libido: A low estrogen level can mean lowered libido and interest in reigniting that spark with your partner. Phytoestrogens can help boost estrogen levels and therefore, libido as well as mood, to help take it up a notch.

So how do we get in phytoestrogens?

What are phytoestrogen-rich foods?

a) Soy and Legumes: Besides being rich in proteins and many vitamins and minerals, foods like tofu, tempeh, edamame, and chickpeas are rich sources of isoflavones and great phytoestrogen foods. Soy isoflavones produce estrogen-like activity in the body by mimicking the effects of natural estrogen. They may increase or decrease blood estrogen levels. Research suggests that soy isoflavones may help make hot flashes less frequent and less severe. Should you not want to chow down on boring preps, Caim by årelang's Rekindle For Women is a rich source of phytoestrogens. A dark chocolate supplement made with phytoestrogens like soy isoflavones and more, these delicious bites help balance hormones and estrogen levels naturally.

b) Flaxseeds: Ground flaxseeds contain lignans - chemical compounds that function as phytoestrogens. Flax seeds actually contain up to 800 times more lignans than other plant foods. Phytoestrogens found in flax seeds play an important role in decreasing the risk of breast cancer, especially in postmenopausal women. Flax can easily be incorporated into smoothies, oatmeal, or baked goods. Again, Rekindle For Women, are chocolate supplements that use the most potent extracts from flaxseeds that help balance estrogen levels and combat the pre-period and menopausal woes.

c) Whole Grains: Including whole grains like oats, barley, and quinoa in your diet helps benefit from lignans. They are potent sources and make great ways to keep those raging hormones in control.

d) Alfalfa Sprouts and Clover: These sprouts are excellent sources of coumestans, which are great phytoestrogens and can be added to salads or sandwiches.

e) Other Sources: Sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, berries, and legumes like lentils and kidney beans also contain varying amounts of phytoestrogens and are delicious additions to smoothie bowls or salads.

As women experience changes in estrogen levels throughout their lives, maintaining hormonal balance becomes crucial for overall well-being, mood, stress management, relationship management, weight fluctuations, bone health, and a whole lot more. Food today does not give us all that we need to balance our hormones, therefore natural supplements that help balance phytoestrogens offer a natural approach to support hormone-related challenges. The benefits of phytoestrogens are plenty, and some of the best are available in the best natural supplement for women, Rekindle For Women, dark chocolate supplements for hormonal balance.

References:

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Clin Cancer Res. 2007 Feb 1;13(3):1061-7. doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-06-1651. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2019 Jun; 12(2): 68. Published online 2019 May 5. doi: 10.3390/ph12020068

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