Soybeans, soy-based foods, and soy isoflavone extracts derived from the whole soybean contain phytoestrogens. Phytoestrogens are a class of plant-based compounds structurally similar to estrogen that can have moderate estrogen-like effects. They are also referred to as selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs).

Women should first make positive lifestyle changes, such as not smoking, eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight and being physically active. Additionally, whole soybean-based soy isoflavone extracts have been shown to ease menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes.

Generally, 50 to 55 mg total daily isoflavones as found in Novasoy? products provides the amount of genistein shown to be clinically effective to reduce hot flashes.

Yes, but for some women it would not be easy. Women would need to eat the equivalent of one-half pound of tofu daily to get enough soy isoflavones for effective hot flash relief. Not surprisingly, women often find supplements easier to incorporate into their active, busy lifestyles.

Reset your watch to the destination's time as soon as you get on the plane. If it's daytime at your destination, try to stay awake during the flight. Walking around the cabin may help keep you alert. If it's nighttime, try to sleep. You may find it helpful to use earplugs and a sleeping mask to block out distractions on the plane. Eat before you get on the plane so that hunger does not prevent you from sleeping during the flight.

Isoflavones are one type of phytoestrogen. They occur naturally in plants like soy and red clover, and in the herb kudzu.

Most health stores, supermarkets, and drug stores carry supplements. For a complete list of brands and where to buy, go to the Where to Find section of the consumer site. New findings suggest that much of the inconsistency in scientific literature regarding hot flashes is because of the differing types of supplements used in the clinical trials.

It is an excellent hormone regulator for the menopausal years when hormonal imbalances invariably appear. It has been reported to alleviate symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, nervousness, mood swings, etc. It also has been reported to help firm and uplift aging breasts.

Answer. Yes, silk breathes and works as a wicking agent. Silk will help absorb the moisture and keep you dry.

Possibly, but it would not be easy. Women will need to eat one-half pound of tofu daily to get enough soy isoflavones for effective hot flash relief. Not surprisingly, women often find supplements easier to incorporate into their active, busy lifestyles.

Most health food stores, supermarkets and drug stores carry supplements. For a complete list of brands and where to buy, go to www.easingmenopause.com.

These are the sorts of questions that people with arthritis often ask, and they're valid questions. Some questions "Can what you eat cure your arthritis?" have simple answers "No". Some questions "Are there foods that can cause your arthritis to 'flare' or go into remission?" aren't so straightforward. "Perhaps..." Most of what you need to know about diet and nutrition is common sense; healthy eating is pretty much the same for anyone, whether you have arthritis or not. But there are exceptions.

The most commonly experienced symptom of menopause is hot flashes. These surges of heat throughout the body, followed by excessive sweating and often shivering, affect 60-75 percent of women going through menopause. Perhaps the worst thing about this unavoidable occurrence is the way one is wholly affected. In addition to the surprising flashes of heat during the day, excessive sweating can dramatically disturb one's sleep. Having to change sleepwear in the middle of the night is not unheard of.

Essentially no progesterone is made by the ovaries after menopause. Progesterone has many important roles in maintaining good health. Estrogen is still being produced by conversion of androstenedione in body fat. This is often sufficient when progesterone is added. For vaginal dryness and mucosal atrophy to return to normal conditions three to four (3-4) months of natural progesterone use. If you are using a tri-phyto-estrogen relief is obtained within 2 weeks.

Clinical experience and research, including an eight week study, show kava to be an excellent treatment for menopausal symptoms, including anxiety and hot flashes. In treating menopausal symptoms, kava is often combined with other herbs, such as black cohosh and dong quai, and other supplements as well. I don't see anywhere if Kava interracts with Synthroid, Warfarin, Pulmicort or Ativan, all of which I use daily, or indeed with Ventolin which I use only rarely. No use asking my family doctor.

Yes. There are antacids and acid blockers (also called H2 blockers) available over the counter. The acid blockers inhibit the release of acid and take about an hour to work. They will last about nine to 12 hours. Ask your doctor about acid blocker medications, since they can cause side effects or drug interactions. If there is a certain food that usually gives you indigestion, you may want to take an acid blocker before you eat.

It looks like the next best thing to soy in terms of phytoestrogens is flaxseed (or linseed). Here is aPDF article about it: There is good material about this subject in an excellent book called The Okinawa Program, pps. 123- 129, including a chart of the "Top 50" foods containing healthful phytoestrogens (see also the sister book The Okinawa Diet Plan).

It varies from woman to woman. The majority of symptoms can last anywhere from six months to two years. Some women have complained of experiencing hot flashes occasionally for the rest of their life. This is the minority.