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Phytoestrogens

By Anna Durr on 14 March 2022 1

Are Phytoestrogens, the key to ending those hot flushes?

by Barbara Kleinschmidt

Hot flushes are one of the most uncomfortable and sometimes embarrassing symptoms of menopause, and once again, mother nature has given us the solution, wild grown Cape Aloe Ferox. But why does it help to relieve symptoms of menopause?

Phytoestrogens are plant-based compounds that mimic estrogen, a sex hormone responsible for the development and regulation of the female reproductive system. It has been found to be beneficial in combatting symptoms and conditions caused by estrogen deficiency. This may be of particular benefit to women in all stages of menopause. 

Menopause is a natural or surgically induced phase in a woman’s life when the body’s ability to produce Estrogen declines.  However, estrogen levels start to decrease several years before menopause occurs during a phase called perimenopause.  It would appear that women are reaching menopause a lot earlier than in previous generations where the “change of life” was expected to affect women around the age of 51.  These days, more and more women from as young as early-forties are beginning to see signs of perimenopause.

 

Levels can also decline for several other reasons including:

  •  – premature ovarian failure
  •  – thyroid disorders
  •  – excessive exercise
  •  – being severely underweight
  •  – chemotherapy
  •  – low-functioning pituitary gland
  •  – congenital conditions, such as Turner syndrome (a condition that affects only females, results when one of the X chromosomes (sex chromosomes) is missing or partially missing. Turner syndrome can cause a variety of medical and developmental problems, including short height, failure of the ovaries to develop, and heart defects)

 

Estrogen is an essential hormone so the effects of having low estrogen can be quite wide-ranging, some of which may include the following:

 

  •  – Hot flushes/night sweats: Hot flushes and night sweats affect 80% of women during menopause
  •  – Irregular periods: Estrogen is one of the main hormones driving the menstrual cycle. Low estrogen may lead to missed or irregular periods;
  •  – Infertility: Low estrogen levels can prevent ovulation and make getting pregnant difficult and may even lead to infertility;
  •  – Weak bones: Estrogen helps keep the bones healthy and strong. As estrogen levels decreases so does bone density. For example, women who are post-menopausal are at an increased risk of developing osteoporosis and bone fractures.
  •  – Painful intercourse: Estrogen can affect vaginal lubrication. If levels become too low, vaginal dryness can occur, which often leads to painful sex and general discomfort.
  •  – Depression: Estrogen is thought to increase serotonin which is a chemical in the brain that boosts mood. Estrogen deficiency may cause a decline in serotonin that contributes to mood swings or depression.
  •  – Increase in urinary tract infections: Infections may occur due to the thinning of the tissue in the urethra, which can develop with decreased estrogen.
  •  – Effect on weight: Hormones, including estrogen, can play a role in weight management and how much fat the body stores. Low estrogen levels, such as during perimenopause and menopause, may contribute to weight gain.

 

Does Cape Aloe Ferox contain phytoestrogens? YES!

Organic wild grown Cape Aloe Ferox contains high amounts of phytoestrogen which is why it is the foundation of the ANARA menopause product range. From the above, and our own research carried out by Stellenbosch University, we are confident to say that the ANARA products, are 100% safe for any woman to use to help treat or prevent several of these symptoms of menopause, in particular the hot flushes and night sweats by increasing the amount of estrogen in the body.

ANARA, unlike other menopause remedies or medicines are not “supplements”, to be taken orally.  ANARA products are all applied topically and the phytoestrogens are absorbed into the bloodstream, through the skin. 

 

What, if any, are the side effects of consuming phytoestrogen?

“Based on the available evidence, phytoestrogen supplements have a safe side-effect profile with moderately elevated rates of gastrointestinal side effects.  Rates of vaginal bleeding, endometrial hyperplasia, endometrial cancer, and breast cancer were not significantly increased among phytoestrogen users in the investigated studies.” (American Journal of Medicine)

 

Can you “overdose” on phytoestrogens?  

Phytoestrogens are present in a wide range of everyday foods that we eat, and much has been written about consuming more soya during menopause, either processed as tofu or tempeh (fermented soya beans) or as edamame beans (green, immature soya beans), due to its high phytoestrogen content.  To combat declining estrogen levels, it is also recommended to include foods like flax seeds, sesame seeds, dried fruit, garlic, peaches, berries, wheat bran and all cruciferous vegetables (cauliflower, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage) all of which contain phytoestrogens.