Breast cancer survivors who use estrogenic botanical supplements have lower serum estrogen levels than non users
The authors seem to agree that lower serum estrogen is correlated to lower breast cancer risk, but the part I found interesting is the ambiguity surrounding whether particular supplements are estrogenic or anti-estrogenic. The study caught my eye as I have been looking into diosgenin (wild yam extract), which seems to be widely referred to as a phytoestrogen but in some studies shows clear androgenic effects.
Some quotes:
The authors seem to agree that lower serum estrogen is correlated to lower breast cancer risk, but the part I found interesting is the ambiguity surrounding whether particular supplements are estrogenic or anti-estrogenic. The study caught my eye as I have been looking into diosgenin (wild yam extract), which seems to be widely referred to as a phytoestrogen but in some studies shows clear androgenic effects.
Some quotes:
Women reporting use of any estrogenic botanical supplement had significantly lower levels of estrone (20.8 v 23.6 pg/mL), estradiol (12.8 v 14.7 pg/mL), free estradiol (0.29 v 0.35 pg/mL), and DHEAS (47.7 v 56.2 ug/dL) compared to women reporting no use.
The biologic theory behind this inverse association is that phytoestrogens, because they are weak estrogens, may stimulate the synthesis and release of SHBG, thus reducing the amount of available estradiol [37]; and they may also inhibit enzymes involved in estrogen synthesis and metabolism [8].
We are aware of one study that has evaluated the effect of EBS on breast cancer development. Rebbeck [40] et al conducted a case-control study that asked participants about their use of hormonal supplements. They found the risk of breast cancer was significantly lower among women who reported use of any estrogenic supplements compared to women reporting no use. Additionally, the use of black cohosh had a significant protective effect for breast cancer. The authors hypothesize this association may be due to the hormonal (antiestrogenic) effects of black cohosh or to its antiproliferative properties.
The conflicting results described above may be due to the difficulty in defining a supplement as estrogenic. Black cohosh, for example, can be classified as estrogenic or non-estrogenic, depending on which study is cited [41-43].
Last edited: