5 Ways Soy May Help Women With PCOS
PCOS, better known as polycystic ovarian syndrome, can be a frustrating disorder for women suffering from it. While the actual cause may not be known to scientists, its effects range from hoarse voices to excess growth of unwanted hair. Some women have to struggle with hormonal imbalances and irregular menses, not to mention abnormal menses. With all this, women suffering from PCOS tend to search for excellent solutions through all means. The good news is that soy products may go a long way in helping them manage these symptoms since there is no known cure yet. Below are some of the easiest and most creative ways to use soy to relieve discomfort.
5 Ways Soy May Help Women With PCOS
It Helps Boost Health Heats and Prevents Diabetes
Experts such as USSEC cannot emphasize that soy is essential to the human body. It is even more crucial for women suffering from PCOS. This hormonal imbalance condition is known to be a significant contributing factor in women’s infertility. Usually, women suffering from these conditions tend to overproduce testosterone and other male sex hormones.
As such, this triggers adverse side effects. Unfortunately, research has shown that women suffering from PCOS are also at a higher risk of suffering from chronic illnesses. They are potential candidates for coronary heart disease and diabetes.
Fortunately, when such women consume soy products, they tend to consume soy isoflavones. This is the plant-based estrogen that occurs naturally in the soybean plant. A study involving women with PCOS was carried out to determine the effect of isoflavones. The effect showed a reduction in inflammation and insulin resistance.
These positive results prove that soy helps lower the harmful effects of insulin resistance. The results also revealed that the participants registered to subside testosterone, LDL, triglycerides, and bad cholesterol. It also minimized fat in the blood, meaning that getting a heart communication also reduced significantly.
Soy Improves Metabolic Health
Women with PCOS tend to suffer from weight gain and acne because of lowered metabolism. Unfortunately, this triggers conditions linked to decreased metabolism, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and heart diseases. When women suffering from PCOS take soy regularly, they tend to have enhanced metabolic rates, meaning that they can use up the food to create energy rather than store it up as fat, leading to excess weight gain and related complications. Include soy in one form or another to gain from it.
May Lower Androgen Levels
Any PCOS patient knows too well how frustrating these hormones can get. In most cases, many androgens will worsen PCOS symptoms, such as acne, hair loss, and facial hair. Women tend to adopt male-like features. Sing soy regularly leads to a reduction of androgen levels in women with PCOS. It is believed that insulin reduction also triggers a decrease in androgens, consequently reducing the undesirable symptoms.
Soy may also increase the sex-hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) in your bloodstream. This protein tightly binds hormones like testosterone, thus reducing its effects on women with PCOS. If you have been struggling with acne and facial hair, then consider adding soy to your diet.
May Boost Fertility
A lot of things affect fertility in women. Some common issues that are less discussed are insulin sensitivity and poor metabolic health. Using soy helps improve both of these issues, meaning that androgen levels in the body will also be reduced. When this happens, women with PCOS have improved ovulation and, in turn, fertility. A study involving soy proteins such as edamame and soy tofu revealed a general reduction in ovulatory disorders. This means that the risks of infertility are reduced. Soy also comes in handy for women attempting to go through IVF since it increases implantation rates, thus increasing the number of live births.
Does not Affect the Thyroid
While soy has been found to help women with PCOS in several ways, the research seems to get mixed up. Some researchers believe that soy consumption hinders the effectiveness of the thyroid gland. Unfortunately, the fact that most women suffering from PCOS have thyroid disorders does not help matters. However, there is limited research on how soy affects the proper functioning of the Thyroid. More research must be carried out in this area to determine the effect of such a thyroid function.
A study by Sathyapalan and colleagues reveals that the amount of soy taken may affect whether someone develops hypothyroidism. Patients taking the higher dosage of soy developed the condition, while those taking a lower dosage did not. This implies that soy may be beneficial in many ways, but over-consumption may trigger adverse effects you want to avoid.
Final Thoughts
Soy is an excellent source of protein and nutrients. However, women with PCOS need to observe moderation when consuming it, just like everyone else. While soy can reduce oxidative stress, it also minimizes testosterone. It also can lower insulin, reduce inflammation markers, and reduce bad cholesterol. Unfortunately, it can also easily cause hypothyroidism when over-consumed. The last thing you need is additional conditions when battling an already stressful PCOS. What’s more, focus on the quality of soya and stay away from GMO soya instead of consuming organically grown soya if possible. Be sure about the sources from which you get the soy.
