The US federal government is halting a large study looking at the use of estrogen. This is because the hormone replacement appears to have no impact on heart disease, and may even cause adverse health effects, the Food and Drug Administration said on 03/02/04. "The increased risk of stroke with estrogen alone outweighs any benefits found in the study," the FDA said in a statement about the trial, which was carried out by the National Institutes of Health.

This is yet another study among several indicating adverse health effects for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in the last couple of years.

The Choices and results of using HRT

This problem is a western so-called disease and like many of these diseases the solution is a natural one.

Post-menopausal women have been scrambling for an alternative. The phytoestrogen isoflavones appear to be extremely safe, although there has been some question about the effectiveness of this therapy, especially when it comes to bone metabolism and density.

In the February 2004 edition of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers from Great Britain performed the double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled study on isoflavone phytoestrogen therapy. 205 women between the ages of 49 to 65 years old were enrolled in the study, which lasted for one year. Half of the group was treated with a red clover-derived isoflavone supplement providing over 40 mg of various isoflavones, while the other half was treated with a placebo. At the end of the one-year study, loss of lumbar spine bone mineral content and bone mineral density was significantly lower in the women who were treated with the isoflavone supplement, compared to those taking placebo. In addition, bone formation markers were significantly increased in the isoflavone-treated group. The authors concluded that although there was attenuation (reduction) of bone loss, the data suggested that isoflavones have a potentially protective effect on the lumbar spine in women.

Furthermore, in a second study published in the Feb. 23, 2004 edition of the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, researchers found that consumption of at least 20 grams of soy protein and 80 mg of isoflavones offered significant cardiovascular benefits. Blood pressure and total cholesterol was significantly reduced, and the "good" HDL cholesterol was significantly increased.

A third study, published in the medical journal, Breast, on April 11, 2002, indicated 40 mg per day of isoflavones reduced the pain by 44% for women suffering from cyclical premenstrual breast pain (also known as Cyclical mastalgia).

These studies are certainly welcome news for promoting women's health. Those who are still taking HRT for its protective bone effects now have another option. Although hormone replacement therapy may be more effective at protecting bone loss compared to phytoestrogens, the potentially negative effects of HRT -- including increased risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease and dementia -- certainly far outweigh any potential benefits that it has on osteoporosis.

Of course, the standard nutrients to prevent bone loss are calcium and vitamin D. In a landmark study published in The New England Journal of Medicine back in 1997, individuals over the age of 65 treated with a combination of 700 units of vitamin D daily with 500 mg of calcium citrate malate reduced their fracture rate by over 50% during the three-year study. Adding magnesium and vitamin K can have an additive benefit on bone density. Please keep in mind; most multi-vitamins do not contain this level or form of calcium and vitamin D. Most contain the inferior calcium carbonate form, and they only contain 400 IU of vitamin D.

Enzyme Therapy, Calcium, Magnesium & Potassium this contains the exact amounts and forms of calcium, magnesium, potassium and vitamin D shown to be beneficial in The New England Journal study. Additionally Power Juice has 90 important vitamins, minerals and trace minerals including Vit K. These appear to be the ideal products for those individuals who are particularly concerned about osteoporosis and bone loss.

There are other products  -- including NatraGest (natural Progesterone), DermaGest (natural Estrogen Cream) that provide various beneficial phytoestrogens and other important nutrients. Lastly we have a herbal formula

I would also recommend that you include soy food items in your diet to achieve the 20 grams per day of soy protein, as indicated in the study.

Of course eating a low starch carbohydrate diet is essential, as this is a prime cause of the upset hormones. See the Good food plan The downside of a low starchy carbohydrate plan in the short term is that some people get withdrawal depression. They may need Emotion (Happiness) Nutrition to get over it.