Recommended strategies for menopausal symptoms

Although further evidence is required to support the efficacy of soy foods in managing menopausal symptoms, for the relief of mild hot flushes the North American Menopause Society recommends lifestyle changes, such as keeping the core body temperature cool and participating in regular exercise, either alone or combined with a non-prescription remedy, such as soy foods, dietary isoflavones, black cohosh or vitamin E ¹³ .

With regards to soy foods, the research to date suggests it is women with frequent hot flushes that may experience the greatest relief ¹⁴ . Also, spreading soy foods over the day - say, soy milk on your breakfast cereal and soy nuts as a snack in the afternoon - rather than consuming soy only once, even in a higher dose, may be a key to increased efficacy.