Soy Isoflavones and Menopause, Pt I – The Pros First of all, you are probably asking, “What the heck is an isoflavone?” Certainly when we talk of herbal supplements like black cohosh, that’s easy to understand, but “soy isoflavones” sound just a bit scientific or medical – well, they aren’t. They are as natural as the clover in the field next door or the grass in your front yard.
Many plants and herbs produce natural substances that mimic certain enzymes or hormones in the human body, and soy is one of these. Isoflavones are merely a component of a plant that mimic the effects of the hormone estrogen. Thus, soy isoflavones are constituents that can be extracted from soy and used as a natural replenishment system for estrogen. Because estrogen replacement – or HRT (hormone replacement
therapy) – is a mainstay in the treatment of menopause, a
natural source for this treatment is quite useful. Interestingly,
while most HRT is used for women and their symptoms related to changes
and stages in the reproductive cycle, soy isoflavones have also
been found to have a preventive effect on enlargement of the prostate
in men! |
While you must see your primary healthcare provider prior to starting any course of treatment, reports and studies have shown several advantages to using soy isoflavones to relieve symptoms of menopause: • Soy isoflavones mimic the effects of estrogen in the body, and therefore can alleviate a wide range of symptoms that are caused by dropping estrogen levels during menopause: hot flashes, mood swings, night sweats and so on. • Studies have suggested that soy isoflavones actually provide the cancer-fighting, anti-aging benefits of antioxidants, too. • Soy isoflavones have been reported to have very few side effects, and in most women, none, unlike some of the possible dangerous side effects of many prescription medications. • While soy products can reduce the effects of many symptoms of menopause, reports suggest they seem to have particularly useful effect on helping to prevent osteoporosis. Soy Isoflavones and Menopause, Pt II – The Cons >>
|
Return to the "Menopause Articles page. " |
