Press Release
Neutraceuticals for Women’s Health
Experts discuss the role of nutraceuticals for women’s health at the ENA Annual Conference
Munich, 12 March 2011 (ena)-Skin health, iron deficiency in women of childbearing age, pregnancy and lactation, as well as menopausal symptomswere the focus of interest at this year's seventh international Annual Conference of the European Nutraceutical Association (ENA). Based on a very wide range of topics, the studies and results showed the modulating effect of nutraceuticals on the central metabolic pathways. ENA President, Dr Peter Prock, was able to welcome over 200 experts from 13 European countries, several African countries, and from the US to the event in Munich in March.
Isoflavones offer a promising approach for women’s health
Prof. Johannes Huber, Department for Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine,Medical University of Vienna, gave a wide-ranging insight into the effect of isoflavones on hormone metabolism in women. According to Prof. Huber, isoflavones as innovative enzyme modulators could well offer alternatives or supplements to hormone replacement therapy in the management of the menopause. Prof. Huber referred to the well-known WHI study, 2002, on the risk and benefits of oestrogen-plus-progestin treatment in the menopause. Treatment with the hormone combination was associated with a higher incidence of breast cancer, while treatment with oestrogen alone showed a reduced risk of breast cancer. Subsequent studies have confirmed these results. In what connection must isoflavones be seen? Due to their analogous structure, isoflavones represent interesting antagonists to the oestrogens. Since they are competing binding partners on oestradiol receptors, they can modulate oestrogen metabolism and thus assume a key role in hormone replacement therapy. So-called depurinating adducts form in the DNA of the female breast, depending on the position at which the oestradiol molecule is hydroxylated. These compounds are marked by high mitosis susceptibility and are free radicals; cell division and neovascularisation are stimulated. The enzymes which catalyse these reactions also metabolise isoflavones; thus isoflavones and other plant substances, as competing binding partners, are suitable enzyme modulators; they support protective metabolic pathways and inhibit those which lead towards carcinogenicity. However, the analogous mechanisms of action of isoflavones have not only been published for oestrogen metabolism, they have also been described for progestin metabolism. During the discussion there was a question from the auditorium as to why experts from the world of science and medicine, and not least the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, continue to discuss the increased risk of cancer due to soya isoflavones. Prof. Huber explained that this discussion was primarily prompted by animal and in vitro investigations with extremely high amounts of isoflavones. However, the data on file from human nutrition studies is perfectly clear, and he recommended those agencies which are primarily concerned with risk assessment to concentrate more on data from human studies, and less on animal and cell culture models, for their assessments.
Nutraceuticals – important in pregnancy and lactation
Mothers are the "primary source of nutrients and energy" for their babies. Dr Enitan Ogundipe, neonatologist at the Intensive Care Unit for premature babies at Chelsea & Westminster Hospital and Senior Lecturer at the renowned Imperial College London, explained vividly what effects health and diet in mothers have on the health of future generations.Supplementation studies with folate, iodine, vitamins, copper, zinc and magnesium showed the importance of an optimal nutrient supply for the benefit of the mother and her baby.
In connection with this, Dr Ogundipe presented her current study on fish oil supplementation in high risk pregnancies in female diabetes patients, the Maternal Fish Oil Supplementation in High Risk Pregnancies (FOSS) study. The background for this is the fact that 70% of brain development occurs before birth, and the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and the omega-6 fatty acid arachidonic acid (AA) are the primary fats in the brain. Female diabetic patients have a low level of omega-3 FA. Omega-3 FA deficiency during pregnancy is associated with a high risk of miscarriages. Despite abundant data from animal studies and clear indications from human studies, there are still no convincing data on which to base a general recommendation for supplementation with LC-PUFAs during pregnancy. Appropriate dietary supplementation during pregnancy is expected to reduce the risk of onset of brain damage during pregnancy and during and after birth, and thus positively affect the children's neurological behaviour.
Concentrated nutrients promote skin health
Numerous studies confirm the efficacy of nutrients for skin health. However, in many cases nutrients from plant-based foods such as phytochemicals, antioxidants and natural vitamins and minerals, which promote skin health, are not consumed in adequate quantities. Nutraceuticals can be helpful in such cases.
Prof Ulrike Heinrich from the Institute for Experimental Dermatology, University of Witten-Herdecke, Germany, which has profound experience in this field, presented numerous studies on sun protection and anti-aging.
UV light leads to degeneration of collagen and elastin fibres; this leads to diminished elasticity and the formation of wrinkles. Ultrasound images clearly show the changes in skin aged by light. In sun protection studies, the study subjects received the active substances under investigation, in the first example carotenoids, individually or in combination. At the same time, a small patch of UV erythema was induced on the subjects' backs. The study results:nutrients and dietary supplements can build up moderate sun protection in the skin which, however, must be supplemented by external sun screens
For the anti-aging studies the surface roughness and density of the skin as well as the transdermal water loss, but also the microcirculation and oxygen saturation of the skin were assessed.
Various nutrients and nutrient combinations were investigated with positive results, such as a combination of carotenoids, alpha-tocopherol and selenium, or a combination of red clover isoflavones, bioflavonoids, carotenoids, vitamins and trace elements. Studies were also conducted with cocoa polyphenols and green tea polyphenols.
Iron deficiency – an underestimated health issue
Iron deficiency is an immense problem all over the world. According to the 2002 WHO Health Report, two thirds of the world's population suffer from iron deficiency. However, only a small percentage of this is accompanied by anaemia. Although this problem is not so significant in industrialised nations, the prevalence is generally underestimated and affects primarly pregnant women and women of childbearing age, children and teenagers.
In his lecture, Dr Alexander Krafft, specialist for gynaecology and obstetrics at the University of Zurich, gave a clear overview of the topic and did not limit his lecture to a description of the special iron requirements of pregnant women,a known problem which receives enough attention in our countries anyway.However iron not only is essential for blood formation, but it is also important for almost all the processes in our body: for DNA synthesis, in the respiratory chain, in many metabolic reactions, for the immune system, for the development of cognitive functions and, last but not least, for neurotransmitter production.
His explanations illustrated vividly how important dietary iron is. With the exception of haem iron from meat, dietary iron is generally poorly bioavailable, so the recommended intake is only rarely achieved. Therefore, the iron status should be checked more often in daily practice. The most important diagnostic parameter is stored iron, serum ferritin (the haemoglobin concentration is not reliable for this).
Dr Krafft concluded his explanations with the advice to pay more attention to the importance of iron also in industrialised nations, but only to prescribe supplementation target group specific and only after corresponding diagnostic investigations.
About the ENA?
The European Nutraceutical Association (ENA) is a specialist association devoted to promoting scientific discussion on Nutraceuticals. This term has become established in the English-speaking world and includes specific nutrients and functional food with clear health benefits.
The ENA enjoys close professional ties for the exchange of information with societies all over the world that are pursuing similar objectives (e.g. the American Nutraceutical Association – ANA).
The congress, attended by some 200 doctors, nutrition specialists, dietary assistants, pharmacists, natural scientists and sports scientists from 13 European countries, several African countries, and from the US, and was being held this year for the seventh time.
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Sources:
Abstracts of 7th Annual Conference of the European Nutraceutical Association (ENA), March 12th 2011, Munich, Germany. Nutraceuticals and Obesity. Neutraceuticals and Women’s Health, Ann Nutr Metab 2011; 58:49-58.
Presentations and Congress Report „Nutraceuticals and Women’s Health“, symposium on the occasion of the 7th annual international conference of the European Nutraceutical Association (ENA), 12 March 201, Munich, Germany
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Speakers:
Prof. Johannes Huber, Dep. for Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine,Medical University of Vienna, Austria / Dr. Edine Ogundipe, Neonatology Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, Senior Lecturer Imperial College London, UK / Prof. Ulrike Heinrich, Institute for Experimental Dermatology, University of Witten-Herdecke, Germany / Dr. Alexander Krafft, specialist for gynaecology and obstetrics at the University of Zurich, Switzerland.
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