Phytoestrogens
Let’s talk about Phytoestrogens.
Is soy bad? Will it make me get breast cancer?
The short answer is, no.
Phytoestrogens are compounds in plants that can activate some of our own body’s estrogen receptors. Which means they are absolutely your friend when it comes to perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms of low estrogen!
Soy has gotten a bad rap for many reasons - one is the genetic modification that it has undergone. Soy does contain a robust amount of phytoestrogens, but research has shown countless times that it has beneficial effects on cancer prevention! (1) A 2002 study published in Carcinogenesis found that eating soy may reduce the risk of breast cancer (2)
We have estrogen receptors on almost every cell in the body. Estrogen receptors come in two types: Alpha and Beta receptors. The Alpha receptors are most well-known because they bind with mammalian estrogen, leading to typical estrogenic effects on tissues like the breasts and genital area. Phytoestrogens, on the other hand, bind primarily to Beta estrogen receptors. While their estrogenic effects are much weaker than those of human estrogens—ranging from one-hundredth to one-thousandth the strength of estradiol—they differ structurally from both bioidentical and synthetic hormones, meaning they interact with estrogen receptors in a unique way and do not produce the same biological effects. Additionally, phytoestrogens possess antioxidant and antiproliferative properties, helping to protect cells from free-radical damage and inhibit abnormal cell growth. In fact, animal studies have shown that phytoestrogens can help prevent breast tumors, and menopausal herbs have never been linked to cancer promotion in humans.
Examples of Phytoestrogens:
Black Cohosh
Dong Quai/ Dang Gui
Blessed Thistle
Alfalfa
Sharavari
Red Clover
Soy isoflavones (organic non-GMO only!)
Pueraria Mirifica
If you want to learn more, sign up for this comprehensive course on holistic perimenopause, What to Expect When Your Meno Is Pausing.
Fan Y, Wang M, Li Z, Jiang H, Shi J, Shi X, Liu S, Zhao J, Kong L, Zhang W, Ma L. Intake of Soy, Soy Isoflavones and Soy Protein and Risk of Cancer Incidence and Mortality. Front Nutr. 2022 Mar 4;9:847421. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2022.847421. PMID: 35308286; PMCID: PMC8931954.
Wu AH, Wan P, Hankin J, Tseng CC, Yu MC, Pike MC. Adolescent and adult soy intake and risk of breast cancer in Asian-Americans. Carcinogenesis. 2002 Sep;23(9):1491-6. doi: 10.1093/carcin/23.9.1491. PMID: 12189192.
