Soy is one of the great allies of menopausal women. There is scientific evidence that soy helps reduce the risk of osteoporosis and obesity during this stage of a woman’s life. In addition, soy is valuable for dealing with hot flashes thanks to its phytoestrogen content. Namely, the content of phytoestrogens has been controversial for a long time, as it is believed that they are not recommended for breast cancer patients. Obesity and Menopause Menopause occurs when a woman’s ovarian reserve is depleted and ovarian estrogen production declines. It is a gradual process that is associated with many changes, since estrogens are involved in various life processes. It should be noted that with a healthy lifestyle, many of these negative changes can be prevented. One of the functions of estrogen is to enhance fat oxidation in skeletal muscle and slow down fat formation in the liver. When ovarian activity ceases and estrogen production ceases, more visceral fat begins to accumulate. Several studies have shown that soy protein lowers insulin levels in the blood, which promotes fat loss. Preventing osteoporosis Bones are tissues that are constantly being renewed. Estrogens are involved in this process, favoring the creation of bone mass, but when their levels fall during menopause, reabsorption – the destruction of bones occurs much faster than the building of new bone. That’s why osteoporosis – the loss of bone mass that increases the risk of fractures – affects 30% more women over the age of 50. A study by Britain’s University of Hull has shown that a daily intake of soy protein with 66 milligrams of isoflavones slows bone loss and prevents osteoporosis. Isoflavones are the best known type of phytoestrogens – plant molecules that mimic the functions of estrogens. Isoflavones are found in many foods – most legumes, grains, vegetables and fruits. However, soy is the one that provides the most isoflavones. Relieving hot flashes and dealing with vaginal dryness Again, soy isoflavones are valuable in this regard. These plant substances are structurally and functionally similar to estradiol, the female sex hormone produced primarily by the ovaries. Due to their similarity, isoflavones can partially and in a much weaker way replace the role of estrogens. This effect is important during menopause when estrogen and progesterone levels decline. Studies published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) show that taking isoflavones helps reduce the frequency of daily hot flashes as well as vaginal dryness. Cancer risk Soy isoflavones are effective in relieving menopausal symptoms. There are assumptions about their carcinogenicity.Some types of breast cancer are hormone-dependent, meaning they use estrogen receptors to grow and spread. Therefore, the phytoestrogens in soy are thought to increase the risk of these cancers. In fact, isoflavones are defined as endocrine disruptors – substances that interact with our hormones and damage the function of the endocrine glands, but the European Food Agency does not consider them dangerous and this is confirmed by an extensive review of studies. There is also a belief that isoflavones may interact with the drug tamoxifen in patients undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Studies investigating whether isoflavones can increase the growth of cancer cells have produced conflicting results. Some research shows that 10 mg of isoflavones per day reduces the risk of cancer recurrence. How much soy can be taken per day? Following a diet rich in soybeans before reaching menopause helps counteract the sudden drop in estrogen. In fact, women in Japan experience fewer menopausal symptoms because soy consumption has been part of their diet since childhood. If symptoms are more pronounced, increasing soy intake will not be enough to get enough of these phytoestrogens. It is necessary to take supplements to obtain the necessary doses of isoflavones, which vary between 40 and 80 mg per day. References: https://www.sabervivirtv.com/nutricion/efectos-dieta-soja-mujeres-50_7235 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27465911/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih .gov/33775173/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22648714/which range between 40 and 80 mg per day. References: https://www.sabervivirtv.com/nutricion/efectos-dieta-soja-mujeres-50_7235 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27465911/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih .gov/33775173/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22648714/which range between 40 and 80 mg per day. References: https://www.sabervivirtv.com/nutricion/efectos-dieta-soja-mujeres-50_7235 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27465911/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih .gov/33775173/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22648714/