Menopause Hot Flash Reduction Can Come From A Soy Protein Diet*

6 July 2010 by Aaron Tabor

To be effective, a menopause relief product must be able to reduce hot flashes, the one discomfort women endure the most. While menopause is a natural part of aging (and not a disease), many women experience uncomfortable hot flashes and night sweats for many years during midlife. Menopause reduction is often attempted by lifestyle and dietary modifications by many women.

Epidemiological research has shown that different cultures often experience different numbers of hot flashes and night sweats. This is especially true in Japan and China where only 25-30% of postmenopausal women are reported to experience hot flashes (Medical References 5-8). Unlike Asian populations, it has been reported that up to ~90% of U.S. women endure hot flashes (Medical References 9-14). One possible reason for this disparity between cultures is the soy protein diet consumed in countries like China and Japan. Thus, it has been hypothesized that soy consumption may be an effective dietary menopause hot flash reduction food.

Several studies have tested the effectiveness of a soy protein diet as an easy natural menopause hot flash reduction strategy (Medical References 15-17). Overall, soy protein products appear to provide menopausal help by reducing hot flashes by about 45% on average, suggesting that soy might be an easy menopause hot flash reduction strategy. It has also been reported that soy consumption helped improve overall menopause discomfort scores and quality of life (Medical References 18, 19). Other studies have reported that soy isoflavones, found naturally in soy foods, also may be a helpful menopause reduction strategy for hot flashes and overall menopause reduction (Medical References 19-23). There is some evidence that women who experience more than 5 hot flashes per day receive the greatest menopause reduction (Medical Reference 16) and that higher amounts may provide a more effective menopause reduction (Medical Reference 24). In some studies these reductions were not always significantly different from the placebo control group. Overall, these studies suggest that a soy protein diet might be a good dietary menopause reduction strategy including reduction of hot flashes and night sweats.

Research suggests that a soy protein diet is an effective menopause reduction strategy for many postmenopausal women who want to experience fewer hot flashes and night sweats. A soy protein menopause reduction diet can consist of a wide range of soy foods including soy protein snacks, soy protein shakes, soy protein bars, and soy protein pasta as well as many other types of foods. Soy protein shakes and bars make an easy and convenient way to add enough soy protein and soy isoflavones to your diet as part of a dietary menopause strategy.

Start reducing hot flashes now with Dr. Tabor’s Revival® soy protein shakes, bars, snacks, and other delicious products.*

References

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  2. The Women’s Health Initiative Steering Committee. Effects of conjugated equine estrogen in postmenopausal women with hysterectomy. The Women’s Health Initiative Randomized Controlled Trial. JAMA 2004; 291:1701-1712.
  3. Shumaker SA, Legault C, Rapp SR, Thal L, Wallace RB, Ockene JK, Hendrix SL, Jones III BN, Assaf AR, Jackson RD, Kotchen JM, Wassertheil-Smoller S, Wactawski-Wende J for the Women’s Health Initiative Memory Study investigators. Estrogen plus progestin and the incidence of dementia and mild cognitive impairment in postmenopausal women. The Women’s Health Initiative Memory Study: A randomized controlled trial. JAMA 2003; 289:2651-2662.
  4. Espeland MA, Rapp SR, Shumaker SA, Brunner R, Manson JE, Sherwin BB, Hsia J, Margolis KL, Hogan PE, Wallace R, Dailey M, Freeman R, Hays J for the Women’s Health Initiative Memory Study investigators. Conjugated equine estrogens and global cognitive function in postmenopausal women. Women’s Health Initiative Memory Study.
  5. Melby MK. Vasomotory symptom prevalence and language of menopause in Japan. Menopause 2005; 12:250-257.
  6. Shea JL. Parsing the ageing Asian woman: symptom results from the China Study of Midlife Women. Maturitas 2006; EPub ahead of print; doi: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2005.12.010
  7. Chim H, Tan BH, Ang CC, Chew EM, Chong YS, Saw SM. The prevalence of menopausal symptoms in a community in Singapore. Maturitas 2002; 41:275-282.
  8. Haines CJ, Chung TKH, Leung DHY. A prospective study of the frequency of acute menopause symptoms in Hong Kong Chinese women. Maturitas 1994; 18:175-181.
  9. Gold EB, Sternfeld B, Kelsey JL, Brown C, Mouton C, Reame N, Salamone L, Stellato R. Relation of demographic and lifestyle factors to symptoms in multi-racial/ethnic population of women 40-55 years of age. American Journal of Epidemiology 2000; 152:463-473.
  10. Xu J, Bartoces M, Neale AV, Dailey RK, Northrup J, Schwartz KL. Natural history of menopause symptoms in primary care patients: a MetroNet Study. Journal of the American Board of Family Pract 2005; 18:374-382
  11. Randolph Jr. JF, Sowers MF, Bondarenko I, Gold EB, Greendale GA, Bromberger JT, Brockwell SE, Matthews KA. The relationship of longitudinal change in reproductive hormones and vasomotor symptoms during the menopausal transition. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism 2005: 90:6106-6112.
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*DISCLAIMER: Individual results vary. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Revival foods and dietary supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Typical hot flash reduction was nearly 40% in a 12-week study funded by Physicians Laboratories. Typical weight loss was 26 - 29 pounds for dieters in a 16 week study. Studies were funded in part or in whole by Physicians Laboratories. The information presented on this web site is not intended to take the place of your personal physician's advice. Discuss this information with your own physician or healthcare provider to determine what is right for you. Revival is not a substitute for prescription medication, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or any other medical treatment. Revival is not a substitute for the care of your own physician. The FDA states that 25g of soy protein a day, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce risk of heart disease. Each Revival protein shake and protein bar provides 20g of soy protein. All information is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. We can not and do not give you medical advice. You should seek prompt medical care for any specific health issues and consult your physician before starting a new fitness or nutrition regimen. The information contained in this online site and emails is presented in summary form only and intended to provide broad consumer understanding and knowledge. The information should not be considered complete and should not be used in place of a visit, call, consultation or advice of your physician or other healthcare provider. We do not recommend the self-management of health problems. Should you have any healthcare-related questions, please call or see your physician or other healthcare provider promptly. You should never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here.