Menopause Diet

Soybeans contain compounds called phytoestrogens that are related in structure to estrogen, though some reports show soy’s estrogenic activity to be quite weak. Soy is known to affect the menstrual cycle in premenopausal women. Societies with high consumption of soy products have a low incidence of hot flashes during menopause.

In one double-blind trial, supplementation with 60 grams of soy protein caused a 33% decrease in the number of hot flashes after four weeks and a 45% reduction after 12 weeks. However, in further analysis of the data in this trial, researchers credit constituents in soybeans other than phytoestrogens for the therapeutic effect. In one controlled clinical trial, high intake of phytoestrogens from soy and flaxseed reduced both hot flashes and vaginal dryness; however, much (though not all) of the benefit was also seen in the control group. In another double-blind study, 100 mg per day of isoflavones extracted from soy was effective in relieving hot flashes, and another double-blind trial found that 120 mg of soy isoflavones per day was as effective as estrogen therapy for relieving menopausal symptoms. Eating 25 grams of soy nuts per day has also been shown to relieve menopausal symptoms in a double-blind trial. In other double-blind research, supplementation with 60 mg per day of isoflavones from soy significantly improved mental function and mood in postmenopausal women...