Seriously guys, and gals. I think the lot of you would be less belligerent if you only ate more tofu and less Morris The Cat.
What causes PMS? Studies link the symptoms of PMS to high levels of estrogen in a womans body before and during menstruation. Premenopausal women with elevated estrogen levels experience more frequent and severe PMS symptoms.
Soy may support better menstrual health by favorably altering estrogen levels and estrogen metabolism. (1-7) Several studies suggest that premenopausal women who consume soy protein significantly lower their estrogen levels to more "balanced" levels.(3-6)
Other studies suggest that eating soy increases the amount of time between each menstrual period by 1-3 days, thus creating fewer opportunities for PMS to occur. (4,7) Additionally, soy may favorably impact estrogen metabolism by causing the body to produce smaller amounts of unhealthy estrogen metabolites. (6) Essentially, eating soy may naturally "balance" the body's estrogen levels to support a healthier hormonal state.
Two new studies from England and Japan suggest that soy isoflavones are effective for supporting better PMS health. (1-2) Japanese researchers noted that physical symptoms of PMS were "significantly improved" in women consuming soy isoflavones daily. The researchers concluded that soy isoflavones were beneficial for the improvement of physical symptoms of PMS."(1)
Daily soy consumption for several months is likely required to start seeing a potential "balancing" of estrogen levels. Combined with increased calcium intake, soy may play an important role in better PMS health.
