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Article: Black cohosh and breast cancer: A review of the research
- Article from:
- Dynamic Chiropractic
- Article date:
- November 17, 2003
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright Dynamic Chiropractic Nov 17, 2003. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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Human observational studies (epidemiological studies) and experimental evidence suggest that soy isoflavones, which act as phytoestrogens (plant-based estrogens) in the body, help reduce the risk of breast cancer. In Asia, where soy isoflavone intake is high, the incidence of breast cancer in women is 75 percent lower than in North America.1,2 Soy isoflavones have been shown to slow the cell division rate of breast cells, an effect associated with a lower risk of developing cancerous mutations.3
The herb black cohosh also contains an isoflavone, formononetin, shown to act as a phytoestrogen in human studies.4 In Europe, black cohosh has been used routinely and with great success for the ...