Hops for Healthy Hormones
Posted on 08. Oct, 2009 by Guy Edwards in Nutrition & Lifestyle
Hops for Hormones
A Research Review by Benjamin Brown ND
Phytoestrogens may be a safer alternative to Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) for protection against osteoporosis. While soy phytoestrogens have long been in the spotlight there is promise for a far stronger phytoestrogen, 8-prenylnaringenin (8-PN), that naturally occurs in the hop plant Humulus lupus. Supplementation with 8-PN has been shown to reduce menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes however only recently has attention been paid to other health effects.
In an animal model study the phytoestrogens genistein, resveratrol and 8PN were compared against estradiol for their osteoprotective effects. It was found that “treatment with 8PN resulted in very good biomechanical properties and showed an increased bone mineral density. Genistein had a smaller effect on bone biomechanical strength, while resveratrol did not have an effect on bone biomechanical strength or bone mineral density. The investigators concluded that “8PN might be a safe alternative for HRT, but further studies are needed.”
Comment:
The phytoestrogen 8-prenylnaringenin (8-PN) has a good safety profile, more closely resembles the activity of estradiol other phytoestrogens, has been shown to reduce hot flashes and has biochemical data supporting protective effects against cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and breast cancer. This little known phytoestrogen certainly deserves more attention.
Click here for effective supplementation with the phytoestrogen 8-prenylnaringenin (8-PN)
Source:
Semisch S, et al. Comparison of the phytohormones genistein, resveratrol and 8-prenylnaringenin as agents for preventing osteoporosis. Planta Med. 2008 Jun;74(8):794-801.
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