If any of you ladies out there have considered using soy either as a nutrient or supplement to help menopause, in a word, don’t. Last week an article from Reuters titled ‘Soy may not provide relief during menopause: study,’ reported on this topic. This 2 year study from the University of Miami showed that neither the symptoms of menopause nor bone density improved as a result of using 200 mg daily of soy isoflavones (double the amount of a soy rich diet). Other plant based therapies such as over the counter progesterone cream, evening primrose oil, and black cohash can provide symptom relief to some. However, like the soy, plant based therapies do little for bone health.
What does work for menopausal symptom relief and improving bone density? Two words: Bioidentical hormones (BH). And the source for bioidentcal hormones is none other than soy and yams. However the hormones within these plants are modified to be exactly the same in structure as human estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. Regardless of the method used, your body cannot tell whether the BH came from an inside or outside source. Unlike the soy used in the reported study, BH activate your cell receptors in an exact key and lock/hand and glove fit. So it only stands to reason that BH would more likely improve menopausal symptoms, bone density et al issues associated with hormonal decline. AND THEY DO!
I realize that BH are not as easy to access as soy, black cohash and other supplements. Finding a doctor trained in prescribing and managing BH is challenging but not impossible. To find a BodylogicMD affiliated doctor near you, go to our website www.bodylogicmd.com or find a fellowship trained doctor from the American Academy of Antiaging Medicine at www.world health.net.
