Isoflavones are plant-based chemicals that have mild estrogen-like properties. By selectively binding to certain estrogen receptors in our body, they may help decrease the risk of some chronic diseases. And, isoflavones may help build bone density (this is one reason it is formulated into Citracal Bone Density Builder – I love citracal products because they can be taken on an empty stomach, but, I digress).
And no, there is no connection between soy and making a man less of a man. One study was published last year showing that men who ate soy food had lower sperm counts. The media hopped on it but failed to reveal that the majority of the soy eaters were also overweight or obese. Soy or fat tissue? Yeah, I’m pretty sure it was the excess body fat so quit worrying about soy and hop on a treadmill. Besides, sperm quality is a pretty darn important factor to fertility and the study didn’t examine soy and sperm quality. And, if you want babies and money, just take a fertility drug and pop out 6 at time and get a reality TV series, book and endorsements aka John & Kate Plus 8. Shoot, I’m tired so I’m digressing once again…
Anyway, if you want to know more about what foods contain isoflavones, check out the new Isoflavone Database which provides analytical values for three isoflavone compounds – genistein, daidzein and glycitein at:
www.ars.usda.gov/nutrientdata/isoflav
Thanks to the awesome USDA Agricultural Research Service for putting this database together!