For Some, Soy Cools Hot Flashes

The good news is that eating a soy-based diet can reduce the frequency and intensity of hot flashes. The less good news is that the soy diet only works for women whose bodies naturally produce equol, which is metabolized from the soy isoflavone diazden by bacteria in the gut. What’s the likelihood of that? Well, in a recent study involving 357 women, 34 percent were equol producers. Science Daily reports that among the equol producers, those who had the most soy in their diet were 76 percent less likely to have a higher than average number of hot flashes and night sweats than those who had the least soy in their diet. But for the women who did not produce equol, soy made no difference. How to find out if you’re an equol producer? It’s not easy. Science Daily writes that “measuring equol in urine is a test that’s only done in research centers, so it’s not realistic for women who are not participating in studies to be tested.” Of course, women could simply start eating more soy and see what happens.