Soy Foods for Menopause Relief

With all the discussion surrounding conventional hormone replacement therapy and bioidentical hormones, it’s no wonder that women are at a loss for ANY solution, natural or otherwise, to their menopause symptoms. If you are looking for a quick, easy, effective, and delicious option to ease the discomfort of night sweats, hot flashes, and other signs of menopause, then soy is for you.

Soy contains phytoestrogens, weak, estrogen-like plant compounds. The specific phytoestrogens found in soy are genistein and diadzein. They are also often referred to as isoflavones. These soy isoflavones have been shown ease menopausal symptoms in thousands of women.

Plus, eating soy-based foods has other long-term health benefits. For example, soy does not appear to have a carcinogenic effect on uterine cells or breast tissue. Plus, the EFAs in soy are good for heart health and supple skin.

To ensure you are getting adequate amounts of soy in your diet, Dr. Lark suggests aiming for 50–100 mg of soy isoflavones per day. This translates to two cups of soy milk (35–40 mg in one glass), ? cup of edamame (150 mg in ? cup), or one cup of tofu (35 mg in ? cup). Just be sure to always, always choose organic soy products, as soy is one of the two most common genetically modified crops in the United States.

Here are a few easy and delectable ways to ensure you are getting enough soy in your diet:

• Make a smoothie for breakfast. Mix one cup soy milk with one banana, a handful of strawberries, one tablespoon of ground flaxseed, and a few cubes of ice. Blend well and enjoy your 70 to 80 mg of soy isoflavones.
• Enjoy a hormone-healthy salad for lunch. Mix 1 cup chopped romaine lettuce with one tomato (diced), ? a cucumber (diced), ? cup edamame (whole soybeans), and 2 tablespoons of pumpkin seeds. Toss with a bit of extra-virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar and enjoy.
• Whip up an easy dessert. Place four ounces soft tofu, one cup mango, one cup papaya, and 1 teaspoon honey in a blender. Mix well and share with a friend. You’ll each get about 15 to 20 mg of soy isoflavones.