SOY BENEFITS FOR MENOPAUSE & OSTEOPOROSIS
The purpose of this research is to investigate the benefits of soy for menopause and osteoporosis. The technical component for this study is a questionnaire developed by the researcher as a survey instrument to assist in the determining of benefits of soy. Studies have shown the possible potential for soy as a supplement providing relief for menopause symptoms as well as bone loss in osteoporosis; further research is needed to confirm these findings. This project will provide additional support regarding soy benefits.
This review of the literature will provide information regarding areas of relevance to the research topic, to include the benefits of soy for menopause and the benefits of soy for osteoporosis.
Benefits of Soy For Menopause. Kurzer reports that the consumption of soy has been found to result in small hormonal effects for pre and postmenopausal women. The author concludes that further research is necessary to demonstrate the magnitude of these effects and determine what constituents are involved (660S). Newman further reports that focus at a menopause meeting of the North American Menopause Society, was changed from conventional hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to non-pharmacologic interventions, with a particular emphasis on soy phytoestrogens. It was noted that data regarding hot flashes is scant, and preliminary data regarding the isoflavones in soy, shows the promotion of bone turnover, assisting with the prevention of osteoporosis (1184).
Phytooestrogens are reported to act as weak estrogens. They may also have antiestrogenic effects; it is believed that these effects may be due to estrogen receptor competition, which may also interfere with hormone replacement therapy. Asian women, naturally consuming large quantities of soy, have been found to have fewer hot flashes (Anonymous 163). Goldman states that isoflavones, a class of phytoestrogens, have been ...