During menopause your body stops producing high levels of estrogen and other hormones associated with reproduction. These hormones play critical roles in other processes in your body, raising the risk of osteoporosis and heart disease in postmenopausal women. Scientists are actively pursuing research to determine whether certain diets can affect these health risks. Soybeans and soy-based products contain phytoestrogens, plant chemicals that can mimic estrogen, that show promise for postmenopausal women.
Menopause and Hormones
Menopause occurs naturally in women between the ages of 45 and 55. During menopause you may experience symptoms including fast heart beat, hot flashes, flushing, sweating or sleep problems. These are mainly due to sudden decreases in estrogen levels. Hormone replacement may be prescribe by your doctor to alleviate these symptoms. Unfortunately, estrogen therapy may have severe side effects, including higher risk for heart disease, blood clots and breast cancer.
Phytoestrogens and Estrogen
According to the National Institutes of Health, soy and soy-based foods contain phytoestrogens that may be a natural alternative to hormone therapy during menopause. However, the effects that phytoestrogens, including soy isoflavones, have on estrogen in your body is often complex. Phytoestrogens can mimic estrogen when estrogens levels are low. When estrogen levels are high, phytoestrogens interfere with natural estrogen. According to the Linus Pauling Institute, benefits in postmenopausal women were highest when less than 90 mg of soy isoflavones were consumed per day.
Benefits
According to the Linus Pauling Institute, soy isoflavones can prevent bone breakdown and stimulate bone formation, lowering the risk of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Soy isoflavones may prevent menopausual symptoms, although results are mixed. Although low estrogen levels increase cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood, soy isoflavones do not appear to significantly improve cholesterol levels. Additionally, soy isoflavones do not appear to prevent breast cancer.
Soy isoflavones are quickly metabolized by bacteria and enzymes in your intestines. The benefit of soy may depend on how your body digests isoflavones before you absorb them. According to the Linus Pauling Institute, about one-third of Western populations process isoflavones into highly estrogenic forms.
Risks
High levels of phytoestrogen decrease your body's production of estrogen and increase the rate of breakdown, lowering natural estrogen levels. Soy isoflavones may also reduce your body's production of thyroid hormones. When intake is high this may contribute to hypothyroidism, a condition where your body does not produce sufficient thyroid hormones. Studies of isoflavones and hormone-associated cancer have been mixed. Consult with your doctor before eating a high soy diet if you have or are at high risk for hormone-associated cancers such as breast cancer.
Phytoestrogens in Soy-Based Foods
Soy isoflavones found in fermented soy products such as soy sauce and miso may be better absorbed by your body. Isoflavones are normally found as glycosides, a form linked to a sugar molecule. This sugar molecule is removed during fermentation. The levels of soy isoflavones in foods vary, depending on processing.
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