Nowadays the benefits of soy foods in helping menopause symptoms, is being shouted from the rooftops, as its reputation for helping prevent some cancers, heart disease and osteoporosis. In the past few years, the soy industry has poured vast amounts of time and energy into marketing and advertising soy foods and promoting its health benefits.  While there does seem to be gathering evidence that soy has mild estrogenic properties—that mimic the natural estrogen our bodies produce—it would be prudent to avoid getting to caught up in the hype of this relatively new health angle.

Now, as a vegetarian for over 30 years and someone who drinks only soy milk and eats other soy products regularly, I have to say that I am rarely ill.  My concern however, comes from the fact that women may be led into believing that they only have to consume soy on a daily basis and all their menopausal symptoms will miraculously disappear (oh, if this were only true).

In fact, the results of one study, showed that women who took a phytoestrogen-rich soy supplement reported a 50% decrease in the severity of their hot flashes. However, a placebo group in the same study, reported a 35% reduction.  The study also reported small reductions in the severityof hot flashes, but unfortunately, not in their frequency.  So, the study concluded that, while decreased intensity is a positive benefit  when it comes to hot flashes, soy estrogens are not as potent as other conventional estrogen replacement products- which often eliminate hot flashes completely.

Although soy products have been around for many years, it is only in the past few years that it has been promoted as a `cure` for hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause. And while I would absolutely love for soy to be the miracle cure of all menopausal symptoms—at this early stage, I feel that we should await results of the tests that are being carried out, before we become too excited. Because, make no mistake, if it does turn out that soy is the new wonder food, the manufacturers will make sure that we know all about it.

In the meantime, try a variety of remedies for your symptoms and don't pin all your hopes on any single one—at least not until it`s proved itself worthy of your praise!