Soy may ease sleep problems in older women
The estrogen-like compounds found in soy could help postmenopausal women get a better night's sleep, according to a small study. These compounds, isoflavones, have been tested for a number of menopausal symptoms as well as for treating health problems that become more common after menopause, such as high cholesterol, high blood sugar, and increased body fat. But so far, results have been disappointing. Insomnia is very common in older women, Dr. Helena Hachul of the Universidade Federal de Sao Paolo and her colleagues write in the journal Menopause. Studies of whether hormone therapy helps with sleep problems have had mixed results, they add. During the overnight observations at the beginning of the study, for instance, about a quarter of the women were found to be snorers, several had five or more sleep apnea events per hour, and a few displayed leg movements more than five times per hour. Without knowing the source of postmenopausal insomnia, the researchers cannot say why soy seemed to alleviate it for many of the women taking the isoflavones. In addition, because the study is small, the authors caution, it "does not permit the assumption that soy will act with the same efficacy for every woman." Nevertheless, they conclude, given that insomnia troubles so many women during menopause, "phytoestrogen treatment should be considered an option to improve patients' quality of life." .................................................. Source: Menopause
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