Unveiling the Link: Are Soy and Estrogen Connected
You must have eaten soy as mouth-watering delicacies like tofu, soy milk, and more.
Along with its rich nutrients, soy also contains a high amount of Estrogen.
This plant-Estrogen in soy resembles human Estrogen and can work with a weaker effect.
In the body, soy may help manage conditions like hot flashes and Osteoporosis due to reduced Estrogen.
Moreover, women with higher soy consumption have a 30% less risk of developing Breast cancers.
Therefore, knowing more about soy and Estrogen is necessary to treat various health conditions with delicious delight.
Read this informative article to understand how they can significantly treat health-related problems and help to lead a healthy life.
Does soy have Estrogen
Soy is a unique legume, as it contains high levels of Isoflavones.
These are plant-Estrogen (Phytoestrogen) and work as weak human-like Estrogen.
The two major Phytoestrogens in soy are Genistein and Diadzein. These are the modulators of oxidative stress and cell growth.
Furthermore, Genistein is also supposed to have a preventive role in cancer models.
Along with these, Phytoestrogens in soy are anti-inflammatory for Obese people and can help them lose weight.
These qualities of Phytoestrogens enriched soy may benefit various human health ailments.
In line, soy foods are also rich in Vitamin B, Potassium, Magnesium, and essential proteins.
It has all nine essential amino acids that the body cannot make naturally and are acquired from the diet.
Therefore these overall nutritional benefits make soy a healthy food that may become a primary meat substitute for vegetarians.
How does soy increase Estrogen levels
The Phytoestrogens in soy can compete with Estradiol to bind with the Estrogen receptors and cause weak estrogenic or anti-estrogenic activity within the body.
According to a 2014 study on Japanese men, soy can raise serum Estrogen over time.
Other research on women also claims there is a potential change in Estrogen levels after soy consumption.
Benefits of soy and Estrogen
Along with its Isoflavones content, soy is also a source of proteins, vitamins, and essential nutrients that are important for a healthy diet.
Also, fermented soy can improve digestion and absorption in the body.
Moreover, consumption of Phytoestrogen is supposed to lower the bad cholesterol and increase the good cholesterol in the body.
In a row other health benefits of soy consumption are:
Heart-related problems
Soy may be beneficial in reducing the risks of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD).
Also, according to a study, women who intake soy Isoflavones have 21% lower death risks than other women who do not eat soy Isoflavones.
Soy also helps to lower blood pressure and LDL, or bad cholesterol, in the body.
However, soy Isoflavone intake is also associated with Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP), a risk factor for stroke, heart failure, and coronary events.
Therefore, the effect of soy on reducing CAD is contradictory and has yet to be studied well.
Still, it would help if you consult your doctor about soy consumption to avoid complications.
Menopause
Menopause is a condition associated with low Estrogen production in women.
Low Estrogen in the body can cause hot flashes, low bone mass, etc.
Soy consumption may help by preventing bone loss in aging women.
Also, a 2015 report on post-menopausal women stated the importance of soy in reducing hot flashes without any side effects.
Also, Phytoestrogen in soy may act as a mild Menopausal Hormonal Therapy (MHT). However, due to its mild effect, it may take a year to show a positive result.
It is important to note that these promising results need more research and evaluation to learn about soy’s benefits.
Osteoporosis
Estrogen is very important for bone health. It promotes bone metabolism, which is necessary for the activity of Osteoblast cells, a cell that makes new bones.
But due to Menopause, Estrogen level decreases significantly and decreases bone forming Osteoblast, resulting in a net loss of bone density.
However, Isoflavones in soy can help reduce the risks of Osteoporosis and maintain a healthy bone density.
Moreover, a study in China found that women who are in their early years of Menopause and consume soy are less likely to get bone fractures.
Conclusion
Soy is a leguminous plant that contains plant-Estrogen, also called Phytoestrogen, that works like Estrogen in humans.
The major Phytoestrogen in soy are Genistein and Diadzein.
They can bind with Estrogen receptors and result in estrogenic or anti-estrogenic activities.
Soy also has many benefits for heart problems, Menopause and Osteoporosis.
However, more studies and research are required to know more about soy and Estrogen in claiming the benefits.
It is advised to consult your doctor before consuming soy to avoid serious health-related complications.
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