替代疗法治疗绝经效果可疑
http://www.100md.com
2000年9月25日
CHICAGO (Reuters Health) - Many “natural” hormone replacement therapies may not be effective, cautions a Utah gynecologist who spoke here during an Association of Reproductive Health Professionals meeting.
“'Natural' estrogens, which are marketed by health-food stores, have no established safety and efficacy studies.” according to Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones, a medical professor at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. “We don't even know what's in there.” Besides, she added, the chemical structure of plant-based estrogen looks nothing like the estrogen we find in the human body.
During her talk on alternative therapies, Parker Jones suggested the following menopause remedies are no more effective than a placebo, or sugar pill: Yam extract, sarsaparilla, red clover, licorice, don quai and vitex. Despite that conclusion, she noted, they still are valuable options because many women believe they work.
“The 'placebo effect' is the most powerful medicine we have.” Parker Jones told Reuters Health. “If one of my patients says something is working, I support that and keep my own agenda quiet.”
Other alternative therapies have stood up to scientific scrutiny with better success. For example, soy isoflavones may ease menopause symptoms. In a study, women who consumed 60 grams of isolated soy protein per day reported a 45% reduction in hot flashes. In comparison, traditional estrogen compounds (such as Premarin) reduce flushing by 90%, Parker Jones added, so it is still the most effective treatment.
Other natural cures Parker Jones endorses include kava to ease anxiety, St. John's wort for mild depression, and ginkgo biloba to improve mood and memory.
Lifestyle changes, such as switching to a vegetarian diet, reducing stress or exercising more can have a more powerful effect than anything on the pharmacy shelf, Parker Jones pointed out.“The ills most women feel that may take them to the health-food store are often the result of a complicated life.” she stated. “Lifestyle changes can make a huge difference. Exercise alone may do almost everything estrogen does.”, http://www.100md.com
“'Natural' estrogens, which are marketed by health-food stores, have no established safety and efficacy studies.” according to Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones, a medical professor at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. “We don't even know what's in there.” Besides, she added, the chemical structure of plant-based estrogen looks nothing like the estrogen we find in the human body.
During her talk on alternative therapies, Parker Jones suggested the following menopause remedies are no more effective than a placebo, or sugar pill: Yam extract, sarsaparilla, red clover, licorice, don quai and vitex. Despite that conclusion, she noted, they still are valuable options because many women believe they work.
“The 'placebo effect' is the most powerful medicine we have.” Parker Jones told Reuters Health. “If one of my patients says something is working, I support that and keep my own agenda quiet.”
Other alternative therapies have stood up to scientific scrutiny with better success. For example, soy isoflavones may ease menopause symptoms. In a study, women who consumed 60 grams of isolated soy protein per day reported a 45% reduction in hot flashes. In comparison, traditional estrogen compounds (such as Premarin) reduce flushing by 90%, Parker Jones added, so it is still the most effective treatment.
Other natural cures Parker Jones endorses include kava to ease anxiety, St. John's wort for mild depression, and ginkgo biloba to improve mood and memory.
Lifestyle changes, such as switching to a vegetarian diet, reducing stress or exercising more can have a more powerful effect than anything on the pharmacy shelf, Parker Jones pointed out.“The ills most women feel that may take them to the health-food store are often the result of a complicated life.” she stated. “Lifestyle changes can make a huge difference. Exercise alone may do almost everything estrogen does.”, http://www.100md.com
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