A study found that isoflavones - a group of natural estrogen-like molecules found in soy (pictured) - do not appear to reduce hot flashes or slow the bone loss associated with menopause.
Going through menopause can be a real pain. Fortunately, yoga benefits for women may even extend to the reduction of hot flashes, something that soy apparently cannot do, according to one of the most popular articles on CNN Health.
This finding comes from a study appearing in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine, which found that isoflavones – a group of natural estrogen-like molecules found in soy products – do not appear to reduce hot flashes or slow the bone loss associated with menopause.
The news comes on the back of a meta-study, also published in the Annals, which determined that the 12 prior randomized trials conducted with soy isoflavones were, at best, inconclusive. The review also found that dong quai, Chinese herbs, evening primrose oil, vitamin E and acupuncture also do not appear to affect the symptoms of menopause.
For the latest experiment, researchers asked 248 women to take a daily supplement, which contained either 200 milligrams of isoflavones or was a placebo.
Over the course of two years, the team found that women who took the isoflavones were, in fact, slightly more likely to have hot flashes. Those who received the soy extract had a 48 percent chance of experiencing the menopausal side effect, compared to 31 percent of those taking a placebo.
Likewise, the extent of bone loss was in no way diminished through isoflavone supplementation, scientists added.
If soy does not reduce the severity of hot flashes, then what are women to do? Numerous yoga benefits articles have suggested that doing holistic exercises, like stretching, deep breathing and meditation, may naturally dampen flashes and night sweats.
Several studies published in the journal Maturitas have found that postmenopausal women report experiencing significantly fewer symptoms of the life change after taking eight weeks of regular yoga classes.
If you have been suffering from hot flashes and can find no relief, consider checking in with a local yoga community center.
