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Soy’s
Benefits for PMS and Hormonal Balance
Let's face it,
PMS is no picnic. The estimated 40 million sufferers of PMS will
agree the cramps, fatigue, mood swings and bloating are enough
to make life just plain irritating. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
is a common life stage for women in their reproductive years.
PMS symptoms include physical symptoms (swelling, bloating,
headaches), behavioral symptoms (sleep disturbances, appetite
changes, poor concentration, social withdrawal), and emotional
symptoms (irritability, mood swings, anxiety, depression).
What Causes
PMS? Studies link the symptoms of PMS to high levels of estrogen
in a woman’s body before and during menstruation. Premenopausal
women with elevated estrogen levels experience more frequent and
severe PMS symptoms.
Soy may support better
menstrual health by favourably altering estrogen levels and
estrogen metabolism. (1-7) Several studies suggest that
premenopausal women who consume soy protein significantly lower
their estrogen levels to more "balanced" levels.(3-6)
Other studies suggest that
eating soy increases the amount of time between each menstrual
period by 1-3 days, thus creating fewer opportunities for PMS to
occur. (4,7) Additionally, soy may favourably impact estrogen
metabolism by causing the body to produce smaller amounts of
unhealthy estrogen metabolites. (6) Essentially, eating soy may
naturally "balance" the body's estrogen levels to support a
healthier hormonal state.
Two new studies from England
and Japan suggest that soy isoflavones are effective for
supporting better PMS health. (1-2) Japanese researchers noted
that physical symptoms of PMS were "significantly improved" in
women consuming soy isoflavones daily. The researchers concluded
that soy isoflavones were beneficial for the improvement of
physical symptoms of PMS.".(1)
Daily soy
consumption for several months is likely required to start
seeing a potential "balancing" of estrogen levels. Combined
with increased calcium intake, soy may play an important role in
better PMS health.
By Dr. Aaron Tabor, MD
Medical Research Director at
Revival
US- Soy
Reduces Hot Flushes
UK-Soy Protein
Herbal Supplements
References:
1. Effects of
Soy Isoflavones on Premenstrual Syndrome. N. Ishiwata1, et al.
5th International Symposium on the Role of Soy in Preventing and
Treating Chronic Disease, Sept. 21-24th, 2003. Orlando, FL.
2. Role of
Phytoestrogens on Menstrual Cycle Symptoms. M. Bryant, et al.
5th International Symposium on the Role of Soy in Preventing and
Treating Chronic Disease, Sept. 21-24th, 2003. Orlando, FL.
3. Lu LJ, et al.
Decreased ovarian hormones during a soya diet: implications for
breast cancer prevention. Cancer Res 2000 Aug 1;60(15):4112-21.
4. Cancer. 2002
Feb 15;94(4):1166-74. The specific role of isoflavones on
estrogen metabolism in premenopausal women. Kumar NB,et al.
5. Nutr Cancer.
1997;29(3):228-33. Decreased serum estradiol concentration
associated with high dietary intake of soy products in
premenopausal Japanese women. Nagata C, et al.
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