Phytoestrogen Supplements: To take them or not to take themQUESTION: Should I take phytoestrogen supplements? RESPONSE: Phytoestrogens are plant-bsed compounds that have weak estrogen effects in the body. They can be found in the foods we eat such as soy beans and other legumes and flaxseeds. I suggest you save your money and possibly your health by getting your phytoestrogens in the foods you eat. Dr. Laura Corio agrees that you should get your phytoestrogens from your foods rather than from supplements. Some supplements lack the soy protein that is necessary to activate the isoflavones. It is thereby healthier and more effective (and cheaper) to get your phystoestrogens from the foods you eat. One of the reasons I don't recommend supplements is because reliability is a problem. Research has shown that two-thirds of supplements have fewer phytoestrogens than is claimed by the manufacturer. Safety is also a concern when it comes to phytoestrogen supplements. You need to get about 45 mg of phytoestrogens daily. Sometimes this means you only need one serving! To give you an example: Tofu has 40 mg in a 1/2 cup serving. You can get a good dose in this phytoestrogen stew that I recommend in my diet for menopause. Conclusion That shouldn't be too hard to get enough phytoestrogens in a daily healthy diet!Sprinkling flaxseed into your smoothie is probably the easiest way to get what you need.
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