In a message dated 1/30/99 1:59:46 PM Central Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

<< n 1999 13:54:19 EST
 From:    "Sheila Humphrey, B.Sc.(Botany)  RN  IBCLC" <[log in to unmask]>
 Subject: enviro-/phyto-estrogens/breasts/website
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 Have to recall the posts about fenugreek as lost the temporary file I stuck
 them in...

 Fenugreek seed contains diosgenin - used in manufacturing to make
 progesterone, but not converted to such in the human body, as far as anyone
 has shown.  Diosgenin has weak estrogenic effects on the body.  Who knows if
 fenugreek enlarges breasts?   If it stops someone from having surgery....

 Found this - - Diosgenin--a growth stimulator of mammary gland of
 ovarectomized mouse. Indian J Exp Biol 1992 - subcutaneous injections of
 diosgenin stimulated mammary epithelium but not alveolar development.

 As regards to fenugreek and breast cancer:

  "Environmental estrogens" ( generally used as synthetic chemicals polluting
 the environment) seem entirely different from plant estrogens, and are
 associated with myriad pathologies, mostly documented in animal populations -
 perhaps related to their often irreversible binding at receptor
 sites/retention in fat tissue.  Phytoestrogens have short half-life.  Unlike
 plant constituents which animals have coevolved with, and found myriad ways
to
 cope with/turn to their advantage, these are evolutionarily new chemicals.

 Have seen no evidence suggesting that phytoestrogens increase risk of breast
 cancer - quite the opposite - they act more as weak estrogen blockers, not
 unlike tamoxifen or probably most like Ramoxifen, as far as I, not trained as
 MD or pharmacologist, can tell.

 One can buy isolated purified phytoestrogens or products fortified with them.
 The safety of these products has been questioned and animal studies have
shown
 negative effects under some conditions.  Animals eating a very high ( nearly
 100%) percent of diet of leguminous plants have been shown to suffer
 reproductive problems.

 Excellent essay on phytoestrogens, with references, to be found at:

 www.tmc.tulane.edu/ecme/eehome/basics/phytoestrogens/default.html

 This essay overlooks the fact that infants who are fed soy formula
exclusively
 are receiving a 100% diet of legumes.

 Sheila Humphrey
 BSc RN IBCLC
 [log in to unmask]

 --------------------
 Date:    Sat, 30 Jan 1999 13:55:02 EST
 From:    David Green <[log in to unmask]>
 Subject: Re: LACTNET Protein in urine
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 In a message dated 1/30/99 4:19:14 PM !!!First Boot!!!,
 [log in to unmask] writes:

 << They found some protein in his urine, and then a whole
  bunch of investigations began, which ended with a kidney biopsy >>
  >>