Soybeans contain chemicals called isoflavones, a phytoestrogen --- plant chemicals with a form similar to the hormone estrogen. Soy isoflavones can prevent the effects of high estrogen levels and, when consumed in high amounts, can increase the rate at which your body breaks down estrogen. Your body can absorb more isoflavones from fermented products.
Phytoestrogens and Estrogen
In addition to its involvement in female reproduction, estrogen also regulates blood vessel health, bone density and metabolism in both men and women. The interactions between phytoestrogens and soy can be complicated. When estrogen levels are low, phytoestrogens can mimic estrogen. When estrogen levels are high, phytoestrogens interfere with the effects of estrogen. Because your body senses phytoestrogens as natural estrogen, it will increase the rate it destroys estrogen when you consume phytoestrogens, as your body thinks it is producing too much estrogen.
Lowering Estrogen
According to Tulane University, high estrogen levels can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, disrupt reproduction, alter metabolism and cause mood disturbances. Very high estrogen levels can be a sign of a disease or the side effect of a drug and require medical treatment. Mild elevation in estrogen may be due to high body fat, diet or dietary supplements. Body fat can increase estrogen levels because the enzyme aromatase, involved in the production of estrogen, is only found in fat tissue.
Fermentation
Soy isoflavones are found naturally linked to a sugar molecule, a form called a glycoside. Glycosides are not easily absorbed by the body and can be slow to digest. During fermentation, bacteria remove the sugar from the glycoside, leaving the free isoflavone. This form is more easily absorbed by your body. Thus, you absorb a higher level of phytoestrogens found in fermented soy products, such as miso, tofu and naturally brewed soy sauce.
Safety
Soy, both fermented and unfermented, has been a dietary stable for centuries and is not known to have any significant health effects. Nevertheless, if you have or have had breast cancer or other hormone-sensitive cancers, talk to your doctor about your dietary intake of soy. Pregnant or breastfeeding mothers should also talk to their doctors before increasing soy intake to alter estrogen levels.
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