SOY Reduces HOT FLASHES

A new study out of Harvard, reported in the January issue of Menopause, shows that postmenopausal women were able to reduce their hot flashes by 52% by taking a soy supplement. In addition to monitoring the women's hot flashes, the researchers also measured cardiovascular markers and thyroid and sex hormones and found no significant differences from the placebo group.

Many articles have come out with conflicting evidence regarding soy. From the beginning, naturopathic physicians have educated patients on the difference between fermented and unfermented soy. Fermenting the bean lowers its harmful phytoconstituents, like phytic acid, which can contribute to mineral deficiencies. We’ve noted that many of the negative studies have used unfermented soy products; in general, there has been little consistency in the type of soy products used for research surrounding menopause and hot flashes.

In this most recent study, researchers extracted soy isoflavones from soy germ fermented with Koji fungus. The choice to use fermented soy may account for the positive findings in this study, and eating fermented soy products is generally safer than eating processed soy. Fermented soy products include miso, tempeh, and tofu.

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