Blue Orchid Guides
Your Personal Guide To Women's Health
As a Nurse Practitioner, mom, wife, friend, sister and neighbor, people are always asking me for health advice. I love translating complicated medical information and then helping people navigate their way toward better health and wellness. I’ll help you find the information you need to make the best decisions for your health and the health of your family.
Here’s to better health,
Nurse Barb Dehn RN MS NP
I’ve been reading a lot about soybeans and their beneficial effects on health. What I found was surprising and reassuring. There’s many good reasons to incorporate more to soy into your family’s diet. Here’s 6 surprising secrets about soy and better health.
#1 Soybean Oil is a Great Source of Omega – 3
Many people find it difficult to get the recommended amounts of heart healthy Omega -3 fatty acids from eating 2 servings of fatty fish each week. You might be surprised to learn that soybean oil is a great source of Omega- 3 and Vitamin E. Most vegetable oil you buy is 100% Soybean oil.
#2 Soybeans Lower Cholesterol
Multiple studies have shown that soy has a number Heart Healthy Benefits including reducing total Cholesterol levels. Soybeans are low in saturated fat. In addition, soy helps:
#3 Soy is Good for Prostate Health in Men
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the US and the 2nd leading cause of cancer death in men. Research has shown that soy helps promote prostate health by preventing Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH). In addition men who consume more soy have a lower likelihood of developing prostate cancer.
#4 Eating Soy Does not Lower Testosterone Levels in Men
Because women often find that increasing their soy intake helps with hot flashes and night sweats, some people are concerned about the possible effects of soy on men’s hormone levels. Soy contains isoflavones, which are considered a phytoestrogens, or plant based estrogens. Numerous studies have not found that eating soy increases circulating levels of estrogen in men or women and does not decrease testosterone levels in men.
#5 Soy Can Help Hot Flashes and Night Sweats
Though there is conflicting research on whether one type of soy protein, extract, supplement, metabolite and amounts help women with hot flashes and night sweats, there is ample evidence that increasing soy is better than placebo in reducing menopausal symptoms. A recent study reported in the Journal Menopause found that despite a high placebo response, women who ate more soy had a 21% improvement in symptoms over what the group that had the placebo.
#6 Eating Soy in Childhood May Reduce the Risk of Breast Cancer
Numerous studies have shown that girls who ate more soy in childhood and adolescence were less likely to develop breast cancer as women. It’s thought that the phytoestrogens in soy help the breast tissue in childhood develop into the types of health breast cells and tissue that are much less likely to become cancerous later on. Eating soy does not have stimulating effects on breast tissue and does NOT increase breast density.
# 7 Soy is Safe for Women with Breast Cancer
Women who’ve developed breast cancer can safely enjoy soy foods because there’s no effect on recurrence. There’s also no interference with tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors. In fact the American Cancer Society states that women with breast cancer can safely consume 1-3 servings of soy foods each day.
Do you know what Antibiotic Resistance is? And why you should care about it?
Since the 1940′s when antibiotics were first used during WW 2, their use has become ubiquitous.
Prior to that infections caused by bacteria could be fatal. Many people died because of bacterial infections that their own bodies couldn’t fight off. Strept throat, bladder infections, bronchitis, ear infections, STDs, you name it, have all been treated with antibiotics for decades.
