Unpleasant symptoms accompany menopause for millions of women. Sudden rises in body temperature and 'night sweats' are among the most common complaints. Prescription drugs and artificial hormones can help mitigate the severity of these symptoms, but they have side effects that cause concern. Many women prefer to use soy shakes for hot flashes and other signs of hormonal imbalance.
These and other symptoms are caused by a decline in estrogen and other hormones. It is natural for estrogen to decline with age, but the body still needs estrogen to function properly. Progesterone, another hormone, can be used, but this hormone also may be deficient. The pituitary gland reacts by secreting LH, or luteinizing hormone, in an effort to balance the system. However, this hormone does not act like estrogen in the body, and too much of it causes blood vessels in the face, neck, and torso to swell. It also activates sweat glands. This results in excessive perspiration and hot flashes.
Soybeans contain substances called isoflavones which are phytoestrogens, or plant estrogens. These are considered bio-identical to estrogen and progesterone, which are naturally produced by the human body. The body can use the isoflavones as it does estrogen, which mitigates or eliminates temperature fluctuations, mood swings, and excessive perspiration. Soy is processed to yield concentrated forms of the plant hormones, which are sold as powders or capsules.
Genistein is an isoflavone which has been shown to bind to the receptors in the human body which capture estrogen. This substance is sold as a single supplement for menopausal women. It is called a bio-identical hormone, meaning it can replace natural human estrogen.
There are other reasons for using soy foods and supplements besides suppressing annoying symptoms. When the system is low on needed hormones, it will absorb estrogen-like components of plastics and other modern chemicals. By consuming soy products, a woman can protect herself from these prevalent by-products of modern food packaging and processing. Since many of the chemicals are carcinogens, this is a wise practice.
You don't have to take supplements if you consume soybeans as food. To get health benefits, it's important to use whole fermented soy. Tofu, tempeh, and miso are tasty ways to add fermented products to your diet. Soy milk, in contrast, is neither fermented or whole and is not a good source of isoflavones. Neither is the concentrated - or 'isolated' - protein found in energy bars. Look for fermented forms of the bean in the ingredients list of products you buy.
Westerners are not familiar with the fermented foods of the Far East. Supplements have become more popular than the ethnic foods. However, it might be wise to acquire a taste for miso soup and other soy-based delicacies. Foods often contain the whole soybean, which some feel is more healthy than using supplements that isolate and offer only part of the bean.
Not all soybeans are healthy. Most of the beans grown in North America are genetically modified and are grown with heavy applications of herbicides. Reputable vitamin manufacturers and natural food producers will use only organic beans. The organic standards prohibit the application of chemicals to crops.
It's recommended that women eat whole, fresh foods, get adequate exercise, avoid spicy dishes and caffeine, and drink lots of water. A few simple steps and the right soyfoods or supplements can restore balance to your system and keep you free of hot flashes.
These and other symptoms are caused by a decline in estrogen and other hormones. It is natural for estrogen to decline with age, but the body still needs estrogen to function properly. Progesterone, another hormone, can be used, but this hormone also may be deficient. The pituitary gland reacts by secreting LH, or luteinizing hormone, in an effort to balance the system. However, this hormone does not act like estrogen in the body, and too much of it causes blood vessels in the face, neck, and torso to swell. It also activates sweat glands. This results in excessive perspiration and hot flashes.
Soybeans contain substances called isoflavones which are phytoestrogens, or plant estrogens. These are considered bio-identical to estrogen and progesterone, which are naturally produced by the human body. The body can use the isoflavones as it does estrogen, which mitigates or eliminates temperature fluctuations, mood swings, and excessive perspiration. Soy is processed to yield concentrated forms of the plant hormones, which are sold as powders or capsules.
Genistein is an isoflavone which has been shown to bind to the receptors in the human body which capture estrogen. This substance is sold as a single supplement for menopausal women. It is called a bio-identical hormone, meaning it can replace natural human estrogen.
There are other reasons for using soy foods and supplements besides suppressing annoying symptoms. When the system is low on needed hormones, it will absorb estrogen-like components of plastics and other modern chemicals. By consuming soy products, a woman can protect herself from these prevalent by-products of modern food packaging and processing. Since many of the chemicals are carcinogens, this is a wise practice.
You don't have to take supplements if you consume soybeans as food. To get health benefits, it's important to use whole fermented soy. Tofu, tempeh, and miso are tasty ways to add fermented products to your diet. Soy milk, in contrast, is neither fermented or whole and is not a good source of isoflavones. Neither is the concentrated - or 'isolated' - protein found in energy bars. Look for fermented forms of the bean in the ingredients list of products you buy.
Westerners are not familiar with the fermented foods of the Far East. Supplements have become more popular than the ethnic foods. However, it might be wise to acquire a taste for miso soup and other soy-based delicacies. Foods often contain the whole soybean, which some feel is more healthy than using supplements that isolate and offer only part of the bean.
Not all soybeans are healthy. Most of the beans grown in North America are genetically modified and are grown with heavy applications of herbicides. Reputable vitamin manufacturers and natural food producers will use only organic beans. The organic standards prohibit the application of chemicals to crops.
It's recommended that women eat whole, fresh foods, get adequate exercise, avoid spicy dishes and caffeine, and drink lots of water. A few simple steps and the right soyfoods or supplements can restore balance to your system and keep you free of hot flashes.
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