Soy & Menopause

Soy supplementation has long been used to treat the symptoms of menopause. Like herbs, soy can be used safely instead of hormone replacement therapy offering many of the same benefits with fewer side effects. Soy may also provide a suitable augment to traditional hormone therapy, if you are happy with the hormone therapy you are currently receiving. Adding soy to the diet may also enable you to decrease the amounts of hormones you take to manage menopause.

Significance

Predominant medical information concludes that soy protein, when used regularly in the diet, has the ability to lessen not only the frequency but the intensity of hot flashes along with other troublesome menopausal symptoms. Soy appears to benefit many of the systems in the body, and can improve the look and feel of the skin, hair and nails. Soy contains something called phytoestrogens which have the potential to act as estrogen in the body.

Function

Many women report that consuming large doses of soy protein may help to restore vaginal moisture to pre-menopause levels. A large dose of soy protein would be considered between 100 to 160 mg of soy isoflavones per day. Soy also helps with mood swings, PMS symptoms, migraine headaches associated with menopause, irregular periods and weight gain. Soy protein may also decrease body fat and increase lean muscle tissue in menopausal women.

Dosage

In order to fully benefit from the effects of soy protein during menopause, it is imperative to consume enough to have a beneficial benefit. One serving of a typical soy food contains about 20 g of protein and 30 mg of soy isoflavones. Isoflavones are plant compounds with estrogenic qualities. Some soy supplements may be even more concentrated. The minimum amount of soy required to receive any kind of effect is 40 to 60 g. of soy per day. With this level of consumption, it will take about four to six weeks for the full effect to be noticed.

Foods

Picking the right soy foods can go a long way to incorporating soy into your diet with ease. The following foods contain about 35 to 50 mg. of isoflavones: 1 cup of soy milk, 1/2 cup of tofu, 1/2 cup of tempeh, 1/2 cup of edamame or soybeans or about 3 handfuls of roasted soy nuts. Soy is also available in powdered form and can be added to milk, water or juice. Gradually add soy to your diet to limit unpleasant symptoms such as gas and bloating.

Potential

When adding soy to your diet to treat symptoms of menopause, you can expect relief within a few weeks. Depending on the amount you take, the results may be even faster. The average Japanese woman consumes about four to six servings of soy per day, and typically experiences far fewer hot flashes and severe symptoms of menopause.

Risks

There is conflicting evidence as to whether consuming large amounts of soy may increase the risk for breast cancer. As with any therapy, the patient must weigh the benefits and risks, and discuss the appropriate treatment plan with her physician to determine the best course of action.