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The body experiences dramatic changes due to lower
estrogen levels: the body’s systems and its functions
begin to decelerate and the immune system weakens,accordingly menopausal women will
usually experience both psychological and physiological changes.
Psychological changes range from anxiety, tension and
nervousness to chronic depression, whereas the physiological
changes include hot flushes, fatigue and insomnia to more severe
conditions as bone loss, balding and degeneration of the reproductive
area.
Consequently, women at the age of 45-50 and postmenopausal women
need something to replace the loss of natural estrogen. Hormone
replacement therapy (HRT)
has been extensively used to alleviate both the psychological
and physiological changes. However, this estrogen substitute
can be quite expensive and must be conducted under a physician’s
close supervision. An effective alternative approach would be
to delay those aging problems by using natural
phytoestrogens
present in
Pueraria
mirifica as a dietary supplement.
Health benefit of
phytoestrogens
is at least two folds. Firstly, as started earlier.
Pueraria mirifica contains
various kinds of phytoestrogens,
e.g., miroestrol, deoxymiroestrol, genistein, daidzein, daidzin,
genistin, coumestrol, etc. These
phytoestrogens
can bind to the estrogen receptors likes estrogen does with
different degrees of affinity giving different estrogenic potency.
When Pueraria is taken, its phytoestrogens would go around
the body through blood circulation and bind estrogen receptors
present in various organs. This would help restore normal function
of the body once slow down due to the aging process. Hence,
phytoestrogens
from
Pueraria
mirifica can correct estrogen
insufficiency in the body and relieve the post-menopausal symptoms.
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Secondly, there is evidence to support that
phytoestrogen consumption contributes
to lower risks of cardiovascular disease and that phytoestrogens
may even prevent cardiovascular related diseases. In a study,
it was proven that phytoestrogens in soybeans could decrease
the level of LDL cholesterol and increase the level of HDL cholesterol
in the blood; therefore, reducing the risk pf cardiovascular
diseases. Moreover, it was reported that subjects who consumed
soy at least three times daily had a decrease in the levels
of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglyceride, it is
quite likely that phytoestrogens
from Pueraria mirifica
will work just the same or even better than soy
isoflavones since, in the previously
mentioned toxicity study in rats, a very significant reduction
of blood cholesterol levels in all groups of Pueraria
mirifica-treated rats was also
observed.
Preliminary data from a clinical trial conducted in Thailand
to study the beneficial effect of Pueraria mirifica
supplement have recently been obtained. Eight female subjects
who were having menopausal symptoms received Pueraria
mirifica in the form of capsule
once daily at the dose of 200 mg for 4 months followed by the
dose of 100 mg. for 8 months. Improvement of the menopausal
symptoms was observed in 5 out of 8 subjects throughout the
study period. Physical examinations and biochemical studies
revealed that all subject were healthy. The dietary supplement
dose of Pueraria mirifica
recommended by the physician for its estrogenic effect in this
case is 100 mg per day.
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