Women's Health
There are a number of ways that soy products can specifically help women.
Osteoporosis is a condition that affects especially older women and is characterized by decrease in bone mass with decreased density and enlargement of bone spaces producing porosity and fragility. It is expected to rise to 52 million adults by 2010. The risk of osteoporosis in women rises as estrogen levels decrease, both during peri-menopause and following menopause. Without estrogen's protective effects, the rate of bone loss is increased; it is highest during the first five to seven years after menopause. Recent studies have found that soy isoflavones, like those found in food products made from whole soybeans, could help in the prevention of bone density loss and give credence for additional studies. At this point, there is not conclusive evidence, but a diet containing only 35mg of soy protein every day may help to prevent bone loss. More than 1/3 of the women in the US, about 36 million, have been through menopause. With a life expectancy of about 81 years, a 50-year-old woman can expect to live more than one third of her life after menopause. Scientific research is just beginning to address some of the unanswered questions about these years - about the poorly understood biology of menopause and how diet, especially soy, can aid in reducing some of the symptoms. Many physiological changes during menopause are related to decreased estrogen production. These include difficulty in regulating body temperature, which can result in "night sweats" and "hot flashes." However, experiences vary from culture to culture around the world. In general, Japanese women are much less likely to experience symptoms of menopause at all. Studies indicate that consuming natural isoflavones, which are found in soy food products, may reduce the frequency and intensity of hot flashes in menopausal women. Isoflavones have been shown to function similarly to estrogen-replacement therapy, which is used by many women to ease menopause symptoms. Research us currently being conducted around the globe to determine the significance in reducing menopausal symptoms.
And for information about menopause visit Know Menopause.
Additional Resources SANA - www.soyfoods.org USB - www.soybean.org ASA - www.soygrowers.com Soyfoods Directory - www.talksoy.com |
