Hormone imbalance from evening primrose oil?
Monday, 30 November 2009
This is an update to my post on evening primrose oil. A comment left by Ann about her aunt gave me some concern and I decided to run more research into the topic. Apparently, her aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer and according to her doctor, the food she ate – namely, evening primrose oil and bean curd (douhua) – may have contributed to that.
I couldn’t find any information regarding the disadvantages of taking evening primrose oil at first and many people I spoke to also told me that it is suppose to benefit women. It was not until I talked to a colleague about Ann’s aunt that she linked the connection between soy and estrogen and that led me to discover that evening primrose oil also has estrogenic properties – although some sources dispute that.
Usage of evening primrose oil may cause problems for some
According to various sources I’ve read, including this, while evening primrose oil alleviates PMS, long term use may actually aggrevate the problems and it seems, most people don’t realize this. I certainly didn’t!
However, the problems may not be across the board as estrogens are present in almost every type of food that we eat. It might have to do with a person’s state of health too and since the liver is the organ that removes estrogens, someone with a weak liver may fail to remove estrogens efficiently and hence, lead to their accumulation. When excessive estrogens become trapped in the uterus, ovary, or breast due to stagnation, they overstimulate cell division and lead to abnormal growth such as fibroids, cysts or cancer in these organs. (source)
Soy produces weak estrogens
Soy, on the other hand, have shown many benefits in providing relief for menopause symptoms. So soy foods, like tofu, contain phytoestrogens, specifically the isoflavones, genistein and diadzein are always said to be beneficial. In a woman’s body, these compounds can dock at estrogen receptors and act like very, very weak estrogens. During perimenopause, when a woman’s estrogen fluctuates, rising to very high levels and then dropping below normal, soy’s phytoestrogens can help her maintain balance, blocking out estrogen when levels rise excessively high, plus filling in for estrogen when levels are low. (source: WHFoods)
Soy supplements not recommended for all
So it looks like soy isoflavones can provide benefit in reducing the risk of cancer. In fact, for women who are taking HRT, which comes with an increased risk of certain cancers such as breast cancer, soy isoflavones could possibly provide an additional protective effect. However, registered dietician Leslie Beck, who is also author of the book Managing Menopause, was quoted in a CBC News article to caution any woman with a family history of breast cancer against taking soy supplement. ”Soy in food a couple of times a week, no problem…In post-menopausal women we’re not sure if soy might act as an estrogen promoter. It acts differently in pre-menopausal women than in post-menopausal.”
A case of estrogen dominance
I’m not trying to be a scare mongrel here but since I’ve written about the benefits of evening primrose oil, I feel that I have a responsibility to clarify now that I’ve found some new info. In addition, I was mildly concerned about my menstrual flow for this month and I wonder if taking the evening primrose oil had tipped my cycle the other way round. It could have contributed to a case of estrogen dominance, causing even more hormonal imbalance for me.
Take everything in moderation
So, I’ll like to state that it’s best to take this in moderation and if you have a family history of breast cancer, you want to be even more cautious. Of course, the link between estrogen and breast cancer isn’t as straightforward as it involves DNA mutation in cells and hence, isn’t across the board for all. If you’re interested to find out more, National Cancer Institute has some slides explaining the link.
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Posted in Beautyfood | 33 Comments »
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November 30th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
I know of a colleague who has breast cancer. I tried to discuss with her on the issue of soy products causing zinc blockage. She told me that she was advised not to take too much soy products as they have something in them (I can’t remember) that causes hormones imbalance. However, she also did mention that moderation is key to all kinds of food.
I suppose thats really true since too much of something might be harmful. Moderation is key.
I only take EPO when its bordering my menses and I feel a bad PMS is coming. I love mr bean pancakes…but I limit myself to once or twice a week for breakfast and soy bean milk to once in a while.
sesame Reply:
November 30th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
It’s estrogen from soy too. So your colleague is right – moderation is important. I remember you mentioned you take 2000mg of EPO? But if you only take that during PMS, then should be considered okay. Plus you don’t take that much soy.
November 30th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
Thanks Sesame for following up on this. We must be careful especially when using or taking something long-term. I’ve also read somewhere that the hormonal cream shouldn’t be used for more than 6 months at a stretch. So, i’m bearing that in mind too.
sesame Reply:
November 30th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
I’m not sure the hormonal cream is the ones containing actual hormones? If that is the case, shouldn’t use them at all cos such cream will inhibit the production of natural hormones.
The herbal ones are better, but you are probably right about not using them long term but giving break. Going to check out more on this cos I was initially uncomfortable with using herbal creams too but since the other choices are limited, I go with it for the moment.
November 30th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
thanks sesame for the heads up. but im confused. how much is too much? everything should be fine if we follow instructions in the bottle label right?
sesame Reply:
November 30th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
I can’t say for sure but if you do not take a lot of other food/supplements containing soy, then taking once a day should be fine. Or the other alternative, is to take it nearer the time of PMS like pf1123.
November 30th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
I have been advised by doctors not to take any soy products, including miso soup. I have excessive estrogen and that is partly why I am not a strong believer in taking Evening Primrose. However, some women do not suffer side effects but I had read in some articles that even though we are brought up believing that soy is good for us but too much of it is certainly not good.
sesame Reply:
November 30th, 2009 at 6:40 pm
Ah…I see. Not even miso soup?
So there is some sort of test we can determine about our hormone levels right? Someone told me about this recently. I would like to get mine checked too.
November 30th, 2009 at 9:28 pm
i used to take Primrose Oil for 3-4 yrs in my teens because of my bad cramps. Once I went off it, my cramps were very very bad and I felt somewhat reliant on the PO. Overall, I felt in the short run, PO was fantastic, but long run wise, I was scared of being over reliant… thks for all this info on PO. Gives ppl better understanding of what they are putting into their bodies
sesame Reply:
November 30th, 2009 at 10:07 pm
You’re welcome! I’m glad to find out about this info too…otherwise I will just continue to take it without knowing the possible consequences.
November 30th, 2009 at 11:22 pm
oh, the 2,000mg is when I’m trying to sort out my skin issues. Haha…I also have pretty bad PMS during those days.
Currently, my PMS is not too bad. Tolerable even when I don’t take EPO. But I just take it around that time of the month. I probably take around 1,000mg only.
sesame Reply:
December 1st, 2009 at 8:17 am
That’s great!
I think taking EPO by itself shouldn’t be an issue…the only problem are for those who also take a lot of other food containing soy (especially since many believed in their health benefits.)
November 30th, 2009 at 11:57 pm
I love all products relating to soy which I used to eat everyday thinking as compared to meat, it was a healthier choice of protein. However, few years ago, I discovered I have fibroids, and the chinese sinseh has advised me to cut down on soy products. Whereas, western doctor doesnt believe in this theory.
sesame Reply:
December 1st, 2009 at 8:16 am
Oh that’s quite unfortunate isn’t it. I realized that it’s those who dabble in natural treatments that believe in this theory too.
But glad you managed to overcome the problem.
December 1st, 2009 at 11:22 pm
I hope I don’t have to ever take primrose oil!! Then again anything can cause cancer….but who really knows what exactly…is the reason for cancer also…don’t most products have primrose oil in it and what about using the oil on your face?
sesame Reply:
December 2nd, 2009 at 12:25 am
The effects of ingesting should be different from the effects of topical application. Your skin may not apply so much of it. Anyway, it’s not across the board for all…probably affect certain age group more. In addition, it should be viewed in totality with your overall diet.
sesame Reply:
December 2nd, 2009 at 9:36 pm
Oops…I mean absorb, not apply.
December 2nd, 2009 at 3:29 pm
It is valid and true. I have endometriosis and after much research about diet to watch out for endometriosis, soy is a big no no and should only be taken in very little amount. (which I have taken so much before I discover I have endometriosis). Soy contain phytoestrogen, and the process of making beancurd, soy protein, powder etc has contain alot of chemically induced estrogen, whihc is bad. The only good soy that is recommended is the organic miso, whereby its proceed by the traditional fermentated method that is able to keep the good phytoestrogen.
sesame Reply:
December 2nd, 2009 at 9:23 pm
Ah…no wonder the Japanese are okay with their miso and tofu. Their grade is better! Thanks for highlighting this. I didn’t even know that the beancurd contain chemically induced estrogen.
December 2nd, 2009 at 10:48 pm
I never taken any primrose oil before… or anything that will relief PMS (I think I don’t one.. consider me lucky? But I do have breakout!)
What I’m trying to say was.. I LOVE tofu!! (If I eat that almost everyday.. does it consider too much??)
December 2nd, 2009 at 11:14 pm
Yes, you might want to cut down – check Grace’s comment.
December 4th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
I used to take EPO many years ago but stop when they do nothing for my PMS. I only eat soyabean once in awhile.
sesame Reply:
December 4th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
I recall you mentioning in one of your comments that PMS did not help you. It didn’t do anything for me till I started using Kordel’s but now, I’m thinking twice if I should continue…
December 5th, 2009 at 10:23 pm
how abt strengthening ur liver? since weak liver cannot expel excess estrogens and so on.. *ponders*
i need to take EPO for my skin problem. but im taking one capsule of 1000mg a day, together with fish body oil & flaxseed oil (1 capsule of 1000mg each).
hope this is not considered too much intake.
sesame Reply:
December 5th, 2009 at 10:42 pm
Maybe…but I find it complicated since I don’t know what can strengthen the liver.
1000mg is the recommended dosage but it really depends on individual…what else they eat…how old are they…etc.
December 7th, 2009 at 1:14 am
it’s scaremonger, not “mongrel”. A mongrel is a mutt.
December 22nd, 2009 at 9:03 pm
ummm….good info. weak liver? looked at the sites you linked to and read pretty much the same, from the horses mouth
she sells products, but also gives advice on how to do it yourself.
http://www.sensiblehealth.com/Journey-03.xhtml
December 22nd, 2009 at 9:06 pm
the main article was on gallbladder cleansing, but she did mention this in regards to liver (copied and pasted from her site);
avoid or minimize foods that weaken the liver or spleen such as white flour, white sugar, caffeine, chocolate and deep fried foods. According to Chinese medicine, cold foods, cold drinks, citrus fruits (unless you also eat the outer skin, which is not advised unless the fruit was organically grown because pesticides often sink into the outer skin), tomato, banana and even salad should also be avoided or minimized because they weaken the spleen and kidneys. Spicy foods should also be avoided, especially ginger and cinnamon which tend to congest the liver.
December 31st, 2009 at 4:31 pm
aw man! i just started taking an oil blend of flax and EPO (barclean’s essential woman) for my PMS. It’s actually been helping when nothing else has. I was JUST thinking that I would only take it during the 2 weeks I suffer from PMS and take a regular 369 blend the rest of the time. Thanks for posting this.
sesame Reply:
December 31st, 2009 at 9:23 pm
I think it’s okay if you’re not taking too much other soy products. Or like you suggest, not take it everyday but only nearer to PMS.
March 5th, 2010 at 2:02 pm
hi, i have just started taking EPO for two days. i have issue with my eating habit that is i seldom eat. … im underweight so people around me suggested i try primrose oil. (i wonder why? =p) but, the thing is, even i just started (one pill only per day), im having stomach cramps the next day. i stopped taking the pills on my third day, the pain reduced. now, im not so sure if i should continue eating it. any suggestion or am i being overprotective / paranoid? also, i love soy bean milk. i drink every morning. now that i read your article, i think i would change that routine to once a week.
thanks =)
sesame Reply:
March 6th, 2010 at 5:14 pm
I’ve not heard about the association between EPO and weight. I think it’s better to be careful what you take. EPO and soy are always said to be good, but apparently, not necessarily so for everyone.
March 13th, 2010 at 5:31 pm
thank you for posting that! so glad i stumbled across this, thats interesting. But like you said, everything in moderation!