There's more to midlife than menopause.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to A Murkies.
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OBJECTIVES: To estimate the dietary intake of isoflavone-rich foods in a population-based cohort of Australia-born women, and to investigate whether a high intake of isoflavone-rich foods is associated with health-related variables. METHOD: The study considered a population-based cohort of Australian-born women aged 51-62 years, with interviews, blood and physical measurements taken in their own homes. Food frequency questionnaires included usual eating habits and isoflavone-rich foods. RESULTS: In total, 354 women (98%) returned both dietary questionnaires. Some 222 women (62%) reported consuming isoflavone-rich foods. Soy breads and milk provided the most servings per month. The mean intake of isoflavones calculated from soy beans, soy grits, tofu, soy milk, and soy and linseed bread in the whole cohort was 17 (standard deviation 35, range 0-340) mg/day. Fifty-one women (14%) consumed > 40 mg isoflavone/day. Compared with the rest of the cohort they had higher intakes of fruit, energy, protein, vitamins and minerals; ate a greater variety of vegetables; were more likely to exercise; were less likely to smoke; had lower mean body mass index, waist and hip measures and higher bone mineral density of the femoral neck; and had lower negative mood scores (all p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Australian-born women in Melbourne have a wide range of intake of isoflavone-rich foods. For those with a high intake it seems to be one component of a healthier life-style. It is thus not possible to assign particular health benefits to the one dietary component.
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The community and the scientific world are developing a great interest in phytoestrogens. This article reviews the current literature regarding the effects of phytoestrogen consumption in humans in relation to menopause, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Studies that adhere to scientific scrutiny such as randomised double blind studies are assessed.
Sexual behaviour is a combination of biological, psychosocial and cultural factors. Each factor involves particular issues and requires specific management for the postmenopausal woman. These will be identified and straightforward management discussed. A combination of counselling and hormone therapy has enabled those women with problems to improve their sexual activity.
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OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between isoflavones, androgens, and dietary composition and the risk of breast cancer in Australian postmenopausal women. DESIGN: Eighteen women with recently diagnosed breast cancer before surgery and 20 controls were recruited over a 12-month period. Both cases and controls were similarly assessed for urinary isoflavones, serum and urinary sex steroids, and dietary intake. RESULTS: Women with breast cancer had lower 24-h urinary daidzein compared with controls (cases: 31 [95% CI: 4, 234] nmol/day; controls: 427 [95% CI: 4, 234] nmol/day; p = 0.03), and there was a trend to lower urinary genistein excretion (cases: 25 [95% CI: 5, 132] nmol/day; controls: 155 [95% CI: 43, 550] nmol/day; p = 0.08). Total testosterone was higher in women with breast cancer compared with controls (cases: 1.3 [95% CI: 1.1, 1.5] nmol/L; controls: 1.0 [95% CI: 0.8, 1.11 nmol/L; p = 0.05). No significant differences were found for serum sex hormone binding globulin, free androgen index, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, estradiol and progesterone, or in urinary androgen metabolites, or in dietary intake with regard to fat, carbohydrate, protein, or fiber consumption between cases and controls. CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary study is the first report of low urinary daidzein and genistein in postmenopausal women with breast cancer. These findings are in keeping with the increasing observational data demonstrating a protective effect from phytoestrogens on breast cancer risk.