Episode 57: The Great Soy Debate!

Should I eat soy?  This is a really common question I get asked all the time and in a word – YES! Why? Because soy contains phytoestrogens. Phytoestrogens get their name because they exert a weak estrogen-like effect, but they are NOT estrogen.  Phytoestrogens bind so weakly to estrogen receptors and can have a mild balancing effect. They will increase the effect when estrogen levels are low, so very beneficial after menopause – and they have a lowering effect if estrogen is too high, which can also be beneficial for symptoms of estrogen excess during perimenopause. Phytoestrogens occur in plant foods such as nuts, seeds, wholegrains and legumes. In moderate amounts they are healthy. In a large amount, they can make periods lighter and sometimes suppress ovulation. The best known phytoestrogens are lignans from flaxseeds and isoflavones from soy. In this episode, we will be discussing the potential health benefits and risks of soy and phytoestrogens and provide practical tips for incorporating them into a healthy diet.   Links and Resources You can follow The Hormone Hub podcast over on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, Amazon or wherever you're listening right now. And, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave me a rating and a review? Thanks!