What are soy isoflavones used for?

Soy has been used to treat certain symptoms of menopause (such as hot flashes) and to help prevent bone loss (osteoporosis). Some supplement products have been found to contain possibly harmful impurities/additives.

Do soy isoflavones increase estrogen?

May reduce menopause symptoms Studies suggest soy’s beneficial role in menopause. In a review of 35 studies, soy isoflavone supplements raised estradiol (estrogen) levels in postmenopausal women by 14\% ( 14 ).

Do soy isoflavones cause weight gain?

The results showed that HSI increased the body weight (BW) gain and fat percentage of minipigs (P < 0.05). In addition, the serum concentrations of IGF-I and interleukin-6 were increased by high levels of soy isoflavones (P < 0.05).

How long does it take for soy isoflavones to work?

Soy products can take several weeks or more to reach their maximal benefit. For example, a 2015 review found that soy isoflavones take more than 13 weeks to reach just half of their maximum effect. Traditional hormone therapy, on the other hand, takes about three weeks to show the same benefit.

Are isoflavones estrogen?

Isoflavones are phytoestrogens which interact with ERs and generally function as weak estrogens in rodent and cell culture models. These estrogen-like effects have raised concern regarding soy/isoflavone consumption, particularly in the case of postmenopausal women at high risk for breast cancer.

Does taking soy isoflavones help menopause?

Soy isoflavones are about one third as effective as estrogen in reducing hot flashes. However, prolonged daily soy consumption has been shown to reduce important menopause-related inflammatory proteins.

Does soy cause hormonal imbalance?

Soy is unique in that it contains a high concentration of isoflavones, a type of plant estrogen (phytoestrogen) that is similar in function to human estrogen but with much weaker effects. Soy isoflavones can bind to estrogen receptors in the body and cause either weak estrogenic or anti-estrogenic activity.

Can soy isoflavones cause weight loss?

Conclusions: This meta-analysis showed soy isoflavone supplementation could be beneficial for body weight reduction, glucose, and insulin control in plasma. Large and well-designed studies are recommended to confirm this conclusion.

Will soy isoflavones help hair loss?

Recent studies found that isoflavones derived from soy could help with hair loss. Soy isoflavones are organic compounds that work like phytoestrogens. They nudge DHT out of the hair follicles, reducing DHT accumulation. The phytoestrogens in soy isoflavones are weak – and that’s a good thing.

What is soy isoflavones for skin?

Some authors have observed that oral intake of 40 mg soy isoflavone aglycones per day improves the aging skin of middle-aged women as compared to a placebo group. In rats, red clover isoflavones are effective in reducing skin aging induced by estrogen deprivation.

Should I take isoflavones?

Isoflavones are also considered anti-oxidant compounds. This means that they reduce damage due to oxygen (such as that caused by free radicals) and may help fight against certain types of cancer. There have been multiple studies on the benefits and safety of isoflavones.

What are the dangers of soy isoflavones?

Cancer. Researchers recommend that,due to this possibility,these women do not consume large quantities of soy.

Thyroid Function. Thyroid peroxidase is an enzyme that is necessary for the synthesis of thyroid hormone.

Infants.

Drug Interactions.

Other Dangers.

What are the side effects of isoflavones?

GI upset

Constipation,bloating and nausea

Allergic reactions (involving rash,itching,and in severe instances,anaphylaxis)

Loss of appetite

What you should know about soy and its benefits?

While the phytoestrogen effects of soy are complex, the other nutritional benefits are quite straightforward. Soy is rich in protein, vitamin C and folate and is a good source of fiber, calcium, iron, potassium, and other nutrients. Overall, soy is an economical and nutrient-dense protein source.

What is the connection between soy isoflavones and fertility?

Soy isoflavones and fertility research shows that soy acts as a phytoestrogen, weakly binding to estrogen receptors on cells. Researchers believe that soy isoflavones are similar in structure to natural estrogen, a hormone responsible for the secondary sex characteristics in females which aids in ovulation and fertility in women.