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Subject:
From:
"Sheila Humphrey, B.Sc.(Botany) RN IBCLC" <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Sat, 30 Jan 1999 13:54:19 EST
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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]

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