Other health experts worry that by only par-
tially blocking estrogen effect in the body, phyto-
estrogens allow other chemical communications
to take place that could actually increase the risk
for estrogen-driven breast cancers in some women
who have previously had estrogen-driven breast
cancer. However, it remains unclear whether
endogenous estrogen binding creates a greater
risk. Some studies show a stronger preventive
effect in premenopausal women and a less conclu-
sive preventive effect in postmenopausal women,
which researchers correlate to the differences in
the kinds of breast cancers likely to affect each age
group. Research continues to explore these issues,
and doctors remain divided in their recommenda-
tions. Many health experts recommend obtaining
phytoestrogens through natural food sources
rather than supplements, to receive the additional
benefits of other nutrients in the foods.
PHYTOESTROGENSUses Risks/Side Effects Interactions
relieve MENOPAUSE fertility disturbances none known
discomforts possible increased
relieve PREMENSTRUAL risk of breast
SYNDROME cancer in certain
lower blood women
cholesterol
enhance BONE
calcium
possibly prevent
BREAST CANCER
possibly prevent
PROSTATE CANCER
See also BLACK COHOSH; DONG QUAI; SOY AND CAR-
DIOVASCULAR HEALTH.
prayer and spirituality Faith-based approaches
to HEALING. Numerous anecdotal reports as well as
clinical studies support a connection between
healing and belief practices such as prayer and
spiritual MEDITATION. Researchers at Duke Univer-
sity’s Center for Spirituality, Theology, and Health
have conducted a number of studies measuring
different immune function indicators in people
who regularly attend religious services and in peo-
ple who do not. Over time, researchers found, the
immune systems of people who regularly partici-
pate in religious or spiritual activities (regardless of
belief system) have higher levels of INTERLEUKINS
and other immune factors.
Two thirds of American medical schools now
teach courses in prayer and spirituality, and all
hospitals have chaplains on staff or clergy on call.
Most hospitals have chapels or meditation rooms
for where patients can go privately, as well as
locations where family members and friends may
gather to pray or meditate. Many people partici-
pate in prayer circles, through churches or
through other common structures, in which they
pray specifically for others who are injured or ill.
A number of studies suggest that the beneficiaries
of these prayers, called intercessory prayers, tend
to improve more quickly. In degenerative condi-
tions such as ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE, the ritual of
shared spiritual or religious practices often pro-
vides comfort and a sense of stability. Spiritual
practices also help provide a sense of meaning and
acceptance when health conditions are terminal.
See also END OF LIFE CONCERNS; NATIVEAMERICAN
HEALING; SPIRITUAL BELIEFS AND HEALTH CARE.qigong See TRADITIONALCHINESE MEDICINE(TCM).reflexology A therapeutic approach that uses
massage and pressure on the feet and hands. The
philosophy of reflexology holds that the soles of
the feet (and to lesser extent, the palms of the
hands) contain reflex points that correlate to body
structures and functions. Activating these points
affects the correlating structure or function, reliev-
ing energy blockages that might be causing symp-
toms or disease. People receiving reflexology
treatments often experience the pressure of the
reflexologist’s touch as well as tingling or other
sensations in the area of the body that correlates
with the reflex point.
The sole of each foot contains more than 7,000
NERVEendings. Nerve pathways branch through
various regions of the body on their way to or
from the SPINAL CORDand BRAIN. One theory for
how reflexology might work is that activating a
nerve ending such as on the bottom of the foot
could result in a nerve response elsewhere along
the path of the nerve structure. Other theories
correlate reflexology to energy channels and net-reflexology 95