Isoflavones and deoxymiroestrol contribute to the phytoestrogenic nature of white kwao krua. They may be excellent supplements for women around the age of menopause (45-55 years), as they can help to fight the drop in estrogen that happens at this age.
Benefits
Estrogens are female sex hormones, and they have a lot of metabolic and physiological properties that make them essential for female health.
Estrogen levels decrease in females who approach menopause—in fact, it’s this drop that causes all the classic symptoms of menopause. This deficiency can also lead to metabolic disturbances in postmenopausal females.
Menopause can lead to the following changes in females, all due to low estrogen levels:
- Reproductive organs: Scarring of the ovaries. Vaginal dryness that leads to an increased risk of infections, loss of libido, and localized itching.
- Bones: Bone brittleness (osteoporosis) and increased risk of fractures.
- Heart health: Estrogen reduces bad cholesterol (LDL) levels and increases good cholesterol (HDL) levels. Estrogen deficiency leads to an increased risk of heart attacks in postmenopausal females.
Apart from these, menopause can also be accompanied by hot flushes, migraines, and psychological symptoms such as irritability, depression, and loss of concentration.
The phytoestrogens present in kwao krua kao can help to compensate the body’s decreasing estrogen reserves and may contribute to the following health benefits:
Relieve menopause symptoms
The phytoestrogens in kwao krua kao act as natural estrogen alternatives. Phytoestrogens in the herb, being similar in structure, act via the body’s estrogen receptors and decrease the vaginal dryness as well as other symptoms of menopause.
Prevent osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is considered a silent disease. It’s often diagnosed only when complications happen—like when you break a bone. Animal studies have shown that extracts from Pueraria mirifica help to prevent osteoporosis!
Anti-aging properties
Oxidative stress is responsible for many of the changes that happen in the body due to aging, including skin damage and loss of elasticity. Phytoestrogens have antioxidant effects that are responsible for decreasing the wrinkling of the skin.
Anti-cancer effects
Studies have shown that spinasterol isolated from the roots of Pueraria mirifica has anti-cancer effects on certain forms of cancer like cervical and ovarian tumors.
Improves heart health
Isoflavones in the herb increase HDL cholesterol and decrease LDL cholesterol levels in older women. Extracts from the herb have the potential to help prevent cardiovascular diseases like heart attacks.
Side effects
Being a natural source of estrogen, it has minimal to no side effects in optimal doses. It is often considered by some as a safer alternative to hormone replacement therapy, which can lead to severe adverse effects such as stroke, heart disease, and blood clots.
Conclusion
Pueraria mirifica is an emerging natural alternative agent to hormone replacement therapy as a safer modality for managing the symptoms of menopause and preventing osteoporosis. Although it’s relatively safe, it’s still highly recommended to take extracts of kwao krua kao under qualified medical supervision.
