What are Soy Isoflavones?
SOY ISOFLAVONES (Healthy Woman™ Soy Menopause, Natrol® for Women™ Soy Isoflavones, and many others) are natural substances obtained from the soybean plant. Soy isoflavones are also known as “phytoestrogens”. While soy isoflavones are claimed to reduce the intensity of menopause-related hot flashes and to help maintain strong bones, they are not currently FDA-approved for these uses. Some products contain vitamins and minerals like calcium and vitamin D in addition to the isoflavones. Soy isoflavones are available from many manufacturers. A diet rich in soy-based foods may help reduce the risk of heart disease and some cancers, partly due to the isoflavones present. Individuals seeking more soy in their diet to maintain health are encouraged to eat more soy-based foods instead of taking soy isoflavone supplements. The American Heart Association recommends a dietary intake of >= 25 grams per day of soy protein to obtain health benefits. Follow a low fat, low cholesterol diet also. Good s
Isoflavones (a type of phytoestrogen) are important compounds found in soy beans and most soy protein rich foods. Soy is naturally rich in isoflavones, and in combination with soy protein, these phytochemicals are thought to play a critical role in the health benefits associated with consuming soy. Bürgen® Grains with Barley Bread contains soy isoflavones.
Soy Isoflavones are phytochemicals, and are found in the soybean plant. They were discovered while scientists were researching longevity of Asians with respect to that of people from the Western world. They concluded that the significant difference in diet was soybean consumption. This discovery led to further studies on the soybean plant itself, and in these studies isoflavones were discovered. One critical isoflavone-related discovery was that of a particular class of isoflavones known as phytoestrogen. Estrogen is needed by women’s bodies during and after menopause. The phytoestrogen found in soybean and soy products help to replace the natural estrogen as women cease production of sufficient quantities of their own. This became extremely important to women approaching menopausal age since the discovery that other forms of hormone replacement therapy had severe side effects. Soy isoflavones have also shown that they are good anti-oxidants and help protect the cardiovascular system f
Isoflavones are types of phytoestrogens (plant estrogens) found in soy foods. Isoflavones have chemical structures similar to estrogen. However, soy isoflavones have been found to have weaker effects on the body than most estrogens and are not stored in the body. There are two main isoflavones in soybeans and soybean products known as daidzein and genistein.
Soy, like all plants, contains many different chemical components. One of these components is a class of phytoestrogens called isoflavones, which are a relatively weak form of estrogen. Isoflavones have been the topic of much recent debate, as evidence of their effect on the body is mostly inconclusive. Many believe the benefits of soy isoflavones are as follows: Some say soy isoflavones may help protect against cancer. They can suppress the production of stress proteins, which facilitate cancer cell survival. Soy isoflavones also have antioxidant abilities, meaning they can help rid the body of toxic chemicals called free radicals, therefore warding off disease, illness, and premature aging. For women, soy isoflavones have been shown to prevent estrogen-related bone loss and can reduce some of the symptoms of menopause. However, much more research has to be conducted regarding soy isoflavones’ role in cancer prevention and menopause alleviation.
