Soy

• What other names is Soy known by?
• What is Soy?
• Is Soy effective?
• How does Soy work?
• Are there safety concerns?
• Are there any interactions with medications?
• Dosing considerations for Soy.

What other names is Soy known by?

Cosse de Soja, Cosse de Soya, Daidzein, Daidzéine, Dolichos soja, Edamame, Estrogène Végétal, Fermented Soy, Fève de Soja, Fève de Soya, Fibre de Soja, Fibre de Soya, Frijol de Soya, Genestein, Genistein, Génistéine, Glycine gracilis, Glycine hispida, Glycine max, Glycine soja, Haba Soya, Haricot de Soja, Haricot de Soya, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Isoflavone, Isoflavone de Soja, Isoflavone de Soya, Isolated Soy Protein, Isolated Soybean Protein, Lait de Soja, Lait de Soya, Legume, Miso, Natto, Phaseolus max, Phytoestrogen, Phyto-œstrogène, Plant Estrogen, Protéine de Haricot de Soja Isolée, Protéine de Haricot de Soya Isolée, Protéine de Soja, Protéine de Soya, Protéine de Soja Isolée, Protéine de Soya Isolée, Shoyu, Soja, Soja hispida, Soja max, Sojabohne, Soy Bean, Soy Fiber, Soy Germ, Soy Isoflavone, Soy Isoflavones, Soy Milk, Soy Protein, Soy Protein Isolate, Soya, Soya Bean, Soja Fermenté, Soya Fermenté, Soybean, Soybean Curd, Soybean Isoflavone, Soybean Isoflavones, Tempeh, Texturized Vegetable Protein, Tofu, Touchi.

What is Soy?

Soy comes from soybeans. The beans can be processed into soy protein, which is a powder; soy milk, which is a beverage that may or may not be fortified with extra calcium from the soybeans; or soy fiber, which contains some of the fibrous parts of the bean.

Is Soy effective?

Soy can reduce cholesterol when used in combination with a low-fat diet.

In women near or after menopause, soy seems to be able to relieve hot flashes, reduce the risk of osteoporosis (weak bones), and possibly lower blood pressure.

In men, there is some evidence that soy milk might reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer.

Soy does not seem to be able to relieve hot flashes in women with breast cancer who are receiving certain anti-cancer drugs, like tamoxifen (Nolvadex), that can cause hot flashes.

There isn't enough information to know if soy is effective for the other conditions people use it for, including preventing breast and endometrial cancer.

Possibly Effective for...

• High cholesterol.
• Hot flashes caused by menopause. But it doesn't seem to help for hot flashes in women with breast cancer.
• Reducing the risk of osteoporosis (weak bones).
• Reducing the risk of developing breast cancer.
• Reducing the duration of diarrhea in infants.
• Preventing and treating diabetic nerve problems.
• Providing nutrition to infants who can't digest milk sugars.
• Reducing protein in the urine of people with kidney disease.
• Treating diabetes type 2.

Possibly Ineffective for...

• Reducing muscle soreness caused by exercise.
• Heart disease.

Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...

• Preventing thyroid cancer, endometrial cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, improving memory, reducing breast pain, weight loss, asthma, high blood pressure, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and other conditions.

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).