  |
|
|
|
There has been a lot of hype in the past several months promoting soy and other phytoestrogens (plants that mimic estrogen) as a cure for menopausal symptoms. You can find the ads in women's magazines and on television claiming that soy based products have the same or better results than prescription replacements. So, what's the truth?
They found that there was little measurable difference in the hormone response among the three groups. Particularly thyroid response showed less than 1 point change from baseline with high isoflavone diet. The Free T4 increased from 15.2 to 15.6. The free T3 actually decreased from 3.51 to 3.39. The baseline effect of sex hormones (estrogens and testerones, etc.) showed a slight decrease. There was no significant change in vaginal cytology or endometrial samples. The women reported no favorable effect on vasomotor symptoms like hot flashes. The researchers concluded that the effects of isoflavones on plasma hormones per se are not likely to be significant mechanisms by which soy exerts estrogen-like effects in postmenopausal women. It is also unlikely that isoflavones or soy exert clinically important estrogenic effects on the vaginal epithelium or endometrium. As usual, they recommend that more studies by done before recommending soy as a dietary supplement for postmenopuasal women looking for an alternative to hormone replacement therapy. Soy has been shown in other studies to decrease free T3 and increase plasma T4. Other animal studies have shown goiter development in rats fed soybeans and inhibition of thyroid peroxidase (an enzyme involved in thyroid synthesis). As with most dietary supplements, soy should be used with caution. Discuss the inclusion of soy with your healthcare provider. Many sources recommend that you monitor your thyroid levels carefully when modifying your diet with supplements that are known to affect absorption and utilization of thyroid. Go To Page: 1 |
|
|
|
