Ask Marilyn: Is Soya useful in the menopause?
Q: Is soya useful for women in the menopause?
A: Many women experience very positive results by eating soya. Soya foods contain isoflavones (natural plant oestrogens) that have similar properties to human oestrogen, but are much weaker. Isoflavones can bind to the body’s oestrogen receptors and help offset the drop in oestrogen that occurs at the menopause.
Scientists have shown that isoflavones function similarly to HRT without producing the risks associated with this controversial treatment. Soya foods offer women a more natural way to treat their menopausal symptoms. Research on soya indicates that it can help to relieve hot flushes, night sweats, fatigue, and vaginal dryness. Besides helping regulate oestrogen when it is declining, soya can also help with other conditions such as osteoporosis, heart attack, stroke and breast cancer.
There has been some negative press on soya but this is not the case when the soya is eaten in its traditional form. So choose products such as miso, tofu or organic soya milk.
Avoid gimmicky soya bars and snacks unless they are made from the whole beans and even then make sure the soya is organic otherwise it could be genetically modified.