Soy ineffective on menopause symptoms

Despite the general belief, a new study shows that consuming soy supplements is ineffective in alleviating the symptoms of menopause and its related bones changes. Women are showing more interest in taking soy these days to reduce menopause symptoms as a sophisticated study found increased risk of stroke and heart attack in women who took combination hormone therapy. Soy has been considered as an alternative to estrogen, providing comparable benefits of bone preservation and symptom relief without adding to the risks. During the study founded by the US National Institutes of Health, University of Miami researchers evaluated the benefits of eating soya products in 248 menopausal women. Half of the participants took 200 milligrams of soy isoflavones every day that is about twice the amount found in soy-rich diet while the others received placebo pills. After 2 years of follow up, scientists found no difference in the bone density values and fracture risk between those who regularly consumed soya and the non-consumers. Moreover, except for hot flashes, the two groups showed no differences in any of their other reported menopausal symptoms such as night sweats, insomnia, and loss of libido or vaginal dryness. Hot flashes were more frequently reported among the soy takers; 48 percent of soy takers reported the condition while the rate of the condition was about 32 percent in the placebo group, says the report published in the Archives of Internal Medicine. Some of the supplement takers also experienced a few soy-related stomach and digestion problems like constipation. There was, however, no report of serious side effects in the two groups. “Our study shows that contrary to popular belief, soy isoflavone supplements do not prevent bone loss or alleviate menopausal symptoms,” said lead author Silvina Levis. However, the finding doesn't mean that consuming soy or its products in diet is harmful for menopausal women. “The issue of soy isoflavones in the first year of menopause is settled. I don't think this is worth taking any further,” Levis said. These pills are widely popular but women should reconsider what they are taking because these soy pills do not help prevent the symptoms.” She suggested that women should consult with their doctors about symptoms related to menopause. “If there is bone loss, there are FDA-approved medications that will prevent bone loss. If the concern is hot flashes, there are also medications. Some anti-depressants help with hot flashes,” Levis added.