Soy foods are one of the healthiest foods with many benefits, including protection against breast cancer, prostate cancer, menopausal symptoms, heart disease and osteoporosis. Many of these health benefits are attributed to its isoflavones. However some critics claim that isoflavones can increase the risk of breast cancer and cause goiter and hyperthyroidism. Besides isoflavones, soy foods contain other healthy compounds, such as saponins, fiber, lunasin and omega-3 fatty acid.
The chemical structure of isoflavones is very similar to that of our own estrogen. Because of this similarity in structure, they can interfere with the action of our own estrogen.
Depending on the type of estrogen receptor on the cells, they may reduce or increase the activity of estrogen. They can compete with estrogen for the same receptor sites thereby decreasing the health risks of excess estrogen. But they can also increase the estrogen activity. If during menopause the body’s natural level of estrogen drops, isoflavones can compensate this by binding to the same receptor, thereby easing menopause symptoms as a result.
The best way to consume isoflavones is in the form of soy or soy foods, so you can benefit from other healthy components of soy. Soy contains many types of isoflavones, but the most beneficial are genistein (see picture) and daidzein. The highest amounts of soy isoflavones can be found in soy nuts and tempeh. Another natural source is red clover. Tempeh and other fermented soy foods contain isoflavones as aglycones, which are more readily absorbed.
Health benefits
Research in several areas of healthcare has shown that consumption of isoflavones may play a role in lowering risk for diseases. The following potential health benefits are attributed to isoflavones:
- Ease menopausal symptoms – The benefits of soy go beyond reducing long-term cancer risk. Recent studies have found that soy isoflavones can reduce menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes and increase bone density in women. Indeed, many menopausal and post-menopausal health problems may result from a lack of isoflavones in the typical Western diet. Although study results are not entirely consistent, isoflavones from soy or red clover may be helpful for symptoms of menopause. A study carried out by “Health Test” in 2004 investigated the prescription behavior of 27 doctors for women with menopause symptoms. It showed that isoflavones were recommended twice as often as hormonal treatment. The prescribed supplements were mainly based on soy, black cohosh and hops.
- Reduce heart disease risk – Soy isoflavones also appear to reduce cardiovascular disease risk via several distinct mechanisms. They inhibit the growth of cells that form artery clogging plaque. These plaques usually form blood clots which can lead to a heart attack. A review of 38 controlled studies on soy and heart disease concluded that soy is definitely effective for improving cholesterol profile. There is some evidence that isoflavones are the active ingredients in soy responsible for improving cholesterol profile.
- Protect against prostate problems – Isoflavones may be beneficial for men because they may protect against enlargement of the male prostate gland. Studies show that they may slow prostate cancer growth and may cause prostate cancer cells to die. They act against cancer cells in a way similar to many common cancer-treating drugs.
- Isoflavones improve bone health – Soy Isoflavones help in the preservation of the bone substance and fight osteoporosis. This is the reason why people in China and Japan very rarely have osteoporosis, despite their low consumption of dairy products, whereas in Europe and North America the contrary happens. Unlike estrogen, which helps prevent the destruction of bone, evidence suggests that isoflavones may also assist in creating new bone. Other studies are not entirely consistent, but evidence suggests that genistein can help prevent osteoporosis.
- Reduce cancer risk – Isoflavones seem to be protect against tumors because they act against cancer cells in a way similar to many common cancer-treating drugs. Population-based studies show a strong association between consumption of isoflavones and a reduced risk of breast and endometrial cancer. Women who ate the most soy products and other foods rich in isoflavones reduced their risk of endometrial cancer by 54%.
Isoflavones are natural antioxidants
Isoflavones have potent antioxidant properties, comparable to that of the well known antioxidant vitamin E. Their antioxidant powers can reduce the long-term risk of cancer by preventing free radical damage to DNA. Genistein is the most potent antioxidant among the soy isoflavones, followed by daidzein.