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There is a lot of confusion about one of the main causes of ovarian cysts. Excess estrogen! But what we know in alternative medicine as the domain of estrogens. Before ovulation, there is supposed to be an increase in progesterone to help release the egg and at the same time prevent the formation of permanent cysts. When this does not happen, these cysts will grow with each menstrual cycle. The problem becomes chronic. We see health professionals recommending hormones to shrink these cysts without trying to get the body to regulate its own hormonal problem. Estrogen is the culprit. Progesterone is the good one (or should I say girl). There are many factors that cause estrogen dominance:
- Obesity: fat is a producer of estrogen
- High-fat diet: The more fat you eat, the more fat you have and, as a result, the more estrogen.
- Lack of fiber
- Dysfunctional liver
- Not eating enough cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cabbage.
- Lack of exercise: women who are athletic tend not to have periods
Since the discovery of soy and its benefits, many have begun to use soy products generously. We also have some form of soy in almost everything we buy in the supermarket (soy oil, soy isolates, soy lecithin to name a few). Studies have clearly shown that cultures that use soy as part of their diets have fewer:
- Heart attacks
- Lower cholesterol levels
- Lower incidence of female cancers such as breast cancer
- Stronger bones
- Lower rates of prostate cancer
These studies found that the main reason for this was a substance called genistein that had phytoestrogenic properties. In other words, soy has a form of estrogen that binds to receptors and blocks bad estrogen from the body to prevent these diseases. So after this discovery, Americans began to overuse soy products. Soy milk for cereal, soy yogurt, soy patties, soy burgers, all soy! The result of this was the opposite of what was expected and contrary to the results that other cultures were obtaining.
Which is the reason?
Most Asian and Eastern cultures that use tofu or soy products use it in small amounts. It is more like a condiment once or twice a week or is used in small amounts of food. Used in this way, soy is beneficial. Soy and Ovarian Cysts So the question is: Can a woman who has ovarian cysts use soy products? If soy has a substance that acts like estrogen, wouldn’t soy cause more estrogen dominance? My answer is that if you use large amounts of soy products on a daily basis, you will run into trouble and cause ovarian cysts to grow. The phytoestrogen in soy will overstimulate these cysts and cause problems.
But if you use soy products in small amounts, no more than 2-3 times a week, then the answer is that soy will really help prevent this problem and may even help you get better. Small amounts of soy protect, while large amounts of soy cause problems. This is why we see these opposite reports of the bad and the good of soy. Some defend it and others hate it.
Bottom Line: Use small amounts of soy 2-3 times a week and you won’t have any problems or make your ovarian cysts worse. Tamoxifen is a drug that is given to young women who have breast or female cancers due to estrogen. Tamoxifen is a weak estrogen that prevents estrogen in the body from stimulating cancer growth. The same principle applies to soybeans. Use a small amount and it will protect you. Large amounts will hurt you!