MidLife
Soy
Phytoestrogens, the active chemicals in soy products, are plant-based estrogens. These chemicals have an action similar to estrogen in the human body. Interest in soy came from epidemiological studies of breast cancer in women across the world. It was found that in certain geographic regions, where diets were low fat and soy-rich, there was decreased incidence of breast disease. There is some encouraging information that soy may also play a role in preventing the growth of cancers by blocking an enzyme that growing tumors need to establish a network of blood vessels (blood supply).
While the entire study of plant estrogens is not complete, preliminary reports suggest that these chemicals may help to prevent breast cancer, heart disease, and osteoporosis, and lessen menopausal symptoms. It is important to emphasize that these studies looked at normal dietary use of soy products – not use of soy supplements or other soy remedies.
The marketplace has quickly latched on to the idea that soy is the answer - and yet there is no evidence that soy supplements provide protection. The studies looked only at normal dietary intake of soy over many years. It should not be equated that 5 times the daily amount of soy in a diet supplement will provide 5 times the benefit. In fact, the risks and benefits of soy supplements, especially mega-doses or many times more than average daily amount, are not known. Is over-exposure to plant estrogens harmful? Too little is known right now to answer that, but research in this area continues.
