The magical little plant known to everyone as soy has been known for years to have
amazing health benefits. From lowering your cholesterol to preventing certain forms
of cancer, soy is something that most experts agree should be a part of almost everyone's
diet. Among other things, soy is a plant full of complete protein, which is a rare
in plants. Soy is also chalk-full of isoflavones and several important anticarcinogens.
Women are perhaps soy's biggest fans, especially those who are nearing or dealing
with menopause. Hormone replacement therapy has long been the recommended approach
to issues like night sweats and hot flashes, though recent discoveries linking hormone
replacement therapy to an increased risk of cancer and strokes have reduced its
popularity. Soy on the other hand, has seen its stock rise as a result of these
findings. Besides containing natural plant estrogens that are similar to what humans
produce, soy has also been shown to help women deal with some of the many symptoms
associated with menopause without the associated, and negative, effects.
Any woman who is considering adding soy to her diet should consider that there are
some negative issues associated with soy consumption. Like anything else, experts
recommend that soy be consumed in moderation. In some situations, individuals who
ate high amounts of soy as part of their diet experienced an increased rate of cancer
cell growth, a decreased sexual drive, and vaginal bleeding. Experts recommend checking
with a doctor before adding soy to a diet, especially any woman who has already
dealt with breast or uterine cancer.
Don't fret though, because most of these detrimental factors have only been observed
and measured in laboratory studies. Still, most experts caution that soy should
be eaten in moderation.
To take advantage of the many benefits of soy, doctors recommend the following:
• Soy has been shown to lower cholesterol levels in individuals. To take
advantage of this effect, doctors suggest a 25-gram a day dose of soy protein to
help boost the body's production of HDL, or "good" cholesterol.
• Although there is not a magical level of soy that an individual can consume
in order to lower the risk of breast cancer, most experts have found that individuals
who made soy a part of their diet at an early age have a decreased risk of developing
certain forms and types of cancers.
• Educate yourself about the risks associated with soy consumption. Some
studies have found that soy can actually increase an individual's risk of developing
certain cancers. This is true mainly for individuals who have recently suffered
from types of cancer like breast and ovarian cancer, as the estrogen in soy can
actually promote cancer cell growth in some individuals, and can interfere with
the effects of certain cancer-fighting drugs.
• Soy is healthy for you, but it is also high in fat. Even soy products that
are labeled as "light" can still contain upwards of 150 calories per serving.
Moderation my friends, moderation.
• To make your bones even stronger, develop a relationship with tofu. Since
tofu is often processed with a compound known as calcium sulfate, it is generally
considered an excellent source of calcium, which as we all know is important for
bone health. It seems lie milk is not the only thing that "does a body good".
• Help deal with the issues and symptoms associated with menopause. From
hot flashes to loss of bone strength and bone density, the benefits of soy have
been well documented. One of the most obvious and easily-accessible benefits of
adding soy to a diet, especially in women dealing with symptoms of menopause, is
its ability to help women reduce the amount of hot flashes they have to deal with.
According to some studies, soy in the diet has been found to have the ability to
cut hot flash episodes in half.
What does this all mean you ask? The benefits of soy are still being understood,
and while some studies have shown that it also comes with a few risks, the bottom
line is that nature's little pharmacy does more good than harm, which is more than
can be said for most of today's alternative and artificial supplements and drugs.