Soy and Human Health

• The Astonishing Functional Food: Soy Protein and Soy Constituents
• Soy Protein and Coronary Heart Disease
• Soy and Digestive Tract Health
• Soy Foods in Chronic Renal Disease
• How Can Soy Help Diabetes?
• Soy Protein Enhances Energy, Stamina and Sport Performance
• Soy and Cancers
• Soy and Breast Cancer
• Soy and Menopausal Symptoms
• Soy and Pre-Menstrual Syndromes
• Soy and Bone Health
• Losing Weight Healthily with Soy
• Soy and Urological Cancer
• Soy Lecithin and Human Health
• Clinical Abstracts on Soy
• Soy Clinical Reviews in Reputable Medical Journals: 1995-2002

Soy and Menopausal Symptoms

Menopause is part of the natural aging process for women. Decreasing levels of estrogen production by the ovaries as women age cause many unpleasant symptoms, most commonly hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, weight gain and vaginal dryness.

Lack of estrogen also predisposes a woman to heart disease, osteoporosis (bone loss) and memory problems. Traditional hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is the replacement of the body's lost estrogen with prescription estrogens derived from a variety of sources including equine (horse), plant-based and lab synthesized compounds.

HRT has been shown to decrease menopausal symptoms, reduce risk of heart disease and help keep bones strong. Unfortunately, numerous studies have also shown that HRT increases risk of breast cancer, endometrial (uterine) cancer and blood clots, and has numerous side-effects like weight gain, bloating, irritability and nausea. Over 85% of American women refuse to start or continue HRT for fear of increased cancer risks. Breast cancer survivors can't take HRT either. This has left millions of women looking for alternatives.

Many medical doctors are now recommending soy protein as a safe, effective alternative to alleviate menopausal symptoms, protect the heart and maintain bone health, without increasing the risk of breast cancer, endometrial cancer or blood clots. In fact, many women healthcare leaders are calling soy the "perfect alternative" to HRT.

Should you consider soy protein?

Many doctors say "Yes". Research documents that soy protein can significantly improve women's midlife comfort and health, whether they are in their perimenopause (30's to mid 40's), menopause (late 40's to mid 50's), or postmenopause (late 50's and beyond) years. (1,2,3 and 4) Symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, fatigue, vaginal dryness, loss of libido, headaches, anxiety and insomnia can be controlled safely with soy.

Studies and population data (like those from the Asian cultures) show that soy protein is extremely safe. Soy has never been shown to increase breast or endometrial cancer risk. In fact, soy consumption may actually reduce the risk of certain cancers including breast, endometrial (uterine) and colon cancer. (3,5,6,7 and 8) Populations with the highest soy consumption have the lowest rates of breast and endometrial cancers.

Even if you are already on prescription HRT, the latest research shows that the addition of soy protein to your diet further increases heart health benefits and may protect your breast and endometrial tissues from overstimulation by the HRT.

In summary, soy protein is safe and effective for alleviation of menopausal symptoms. Soy can even help younger women manage PMS and other menstrual disturbances.