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Soy and Its Role in Hormonal Balance

One product that recently caught my attention is soy, which plays an important role in hormonal balance. Soy is rich in isoflavones, which are a subgroup of phytoestrogens - weak estrogens that come from plants. They mimic the behavior of human estrogens by blocking estrogen receptor sites, and research has shown that phytoestrogens can help prevent and cure cancer. For example, treatment with phytoestrogens reversed triclosan and bisphenol A-induced anti-apoptosis in breast cancer cells.

Scientists have identified many different isoflavones, but the best-known are genistein, daidzein, and equol. Equol is the most powerful antioxidant, but it does not come from food. This isophlone is the end product of intestinal bacteria metabolizing daidzein. Equol has the most antioxidant activity, stronger affinity for estrogen receptors, as well as anti-androgenic properties. Unfortunately, equol cannot be formed without the right microbiota (specifically the gut bacteria Slackia), so it takes a highly bio-individualized approach to reap its benefits. Only about 30-40 percent of adults produce equol after eating soy, and the Asian population appears to do this more effectively than the Caucasian population. Studies have also shown that consumption of seaweed can enhance the production of equol.

Soy intake studies show increased cancer-protective benefits with one or two servings of traditional Asian soy products. These include fermented soybeans, tofu, tempeh and miso. One should be careful about the type of soy consumed. In the Western world, most soy products are genetically modified and consumed in excess in the form of soymilk, soy protein, soy-based veggie burgers, tofu dogs, tofurkey, and isoflavone supplements. These often contain higher levels of genistein and therefore create increased estrogenic effects. Many people are overdosing on soy products and being exposed to a far higher level of isoflavones than in a traditional Asian diet. Soy products did not make it to Europe until the mid-1700s, and their modern production process results in a food that is high in lectins.

Soy can therefore be a powerful element of a healthy diet and contribute to hormonal balance, but it should be carefully sourced, prepared, and portioned.
References
  1. Qiu S; Jiang C. “Soy and Isoflavones Consumption and Breast Cancer Survival and Recurrence: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” European Journal of Nutrition, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
  2. Mayo B; Vázquez L; Flórez AB. “Equol: A Bacterial Metabolite from The Daidzein Isoflavone and Its Presumed Beneficial Health Effects.” Nutrients, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
  3. Winters, Nasha, and Jess Kelley. The Metabolic Approach to Cancer. Chelsea Green Publishing White River Junction, Vermont.