Soy is a healthy plant based food that contains high-quality protein, B vitamins, fiber and beneficial omega-3 fatty acids, according to the Nemours Foundation; soy beans are also known to contain isoflavones, compounds with estrogen-like properties. Several studies have focused on the effect of consuming soy on symptoms related to low estrogen levels, particularly in menopausal women.
Sources of Soy
Soy can be consumed through food sources and dietary supplements. Dietary sources of soy include soy beans, soy milk, tofu, tempeh, soy nuts, soy flour and soy-based meat substitutes such as veggie burgers or soy hot dogs. Soy supplements are available in pill or powder form and usually contain soy isoflavones.
Estrogen
Estrogen is a female sex hormone that decreases in women after menopause. According to Medline Plus, estrogen hormone replacement therapy can be used to treat symptoms related to low-estrogen levels and help reduce hot flashes, sweating and osteoporosis in menopausal women. The hormone estrogen, although in smaller quantities than with women, is also found in men.
Soy and Menopausal Symptoms
Due to soy's estrogen-like properties, it has been used to help prevent symptoms of reduced estrogen levels related to menopause in women. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, some studies show that consuming soy isoflavone supplements may reduce menopausal symptoms, however research studies are inconsistent. According to Medline Plus, studies suggest that isoflavones found in soy products may help reduce symptoms related to menopause, however, more research is needed.
Soy Supplements
According to the Department of Health and Human Resources, soy supplements that come in pill or powder form are not proven to help reduce menopausal symptoms; supplements are not regulated the same as drugs and the risks of taking concentrated soy supplements are unknown. Taking soy supplements during pregnancy and breastfeeding is discouraged due to limited research in this area, however, consuming dietary soy products during pregnancy is generally considered to be safe.
Soy and Estrogen in Men
Some estrogen metabolites may increase the risk for certain cancers, according to Hamilton-Reeves et al. in an article published in a 2007 edition of the "Journal of Nutrition." Researchers in the study examined the effects of soy supplementation on estrogen metabolism in men at risk for developing advanced prostate cancer. They found that men who consumed soy protein isolates compared to milk protein isolates had increased urinary excretion of estrogen metabolites, suggesting that soy consumption may benefit men at risk for prostate cancer.
