Jean Hailes Foundation, Clayton Rd., Clayton Vic 3168 Australia 2 Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism Unit, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton Rd., Clayton 3168 Vic. Australia 3 Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton Rd., Clayton 3168 Vic. Australia 4 Registrar in Diabetes and Metabolism, Caulfield General Medical Centre, Caulfield, Vic. Australia 5Tenovus Cancer Research Centre, University of Wales, College of Medicine, Cardiff, Wales Plants contain compounds with oestrogen-like action called phytoestrogens.
Soy contains daidzin, a potent phytoestrogen, and wheat flour contains less potent enterolactones.
Soy flour supplementation improves vaginal maturation index in postmenopausal women. Vaginal cell maturation, plasma lipids, urinary calcium remained unchanged. Serum FSH decreased and urinary hydroxyproline increased in the wheat flour group. Soy and wheat flour supplementation reduce hot flushes with soy producing a more rapid response. Soy flour substitutes may be used as an aid in the treatment of hot flushes in some women.