Soybean SOY-been

What are other names for this remedy?

Type of medicine: natural remedy

Scientific and common names: Glycine max, soy, soybean, soya, tofu, miso, phytoestrogen, plant estrogen, isoflavone, genistein, tempeh

What is soybean?

The soybean is a plant that grows 1 to 5 feet tall. The bean pods contain up to 4 oval seeds, which can be yellow to brownish in color. Soybeans contain isoflavones which are similar to the hormone estrogen.

What is it used for?

This remedy has been used to treat several conditions. Studies in humans or animals have not proved that this remedy is safe or effective for all uses. Before using this remedy for a serious condition, you should talk with your healthcare provider. There may be other uses that are not listed below.

Soy has been used to:

• lower cholesterol
• relieve symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes
• help prevent osteoporosis
• reduce the risk of breast, colon, thyroid, endometrial, and prostate cancer (There is conflicting evidence on whether soy prevents or increases the risk of breast cancer.)
• reduce high blood pressure
• reduce protein in the urine of people with kidney disease
• treat diabetes
• treat diarrhea in infants

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve uses for natural remedies. The FDA does not inspect or regulate natural remedies the way they do prescription medicines.

How is it taken?

Examples of soy food products are soy milk, soy cheese, soy yogurt, soy nuts, tofu, soybean oil for cooking, soybean flour, soybean curd, tofu, fermented soybean paste, soybean sprouts, soy sauce, and soy protein drinks. Soy is used to make some infant formulas for babies who are allergic to milk.

Soy is also available in the form of capsules and tablets.

Follow the directions printed on the product label or given by your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

Symptoms of an acute overdose have not been reported.

What should I watch out for?

Talk with your healthcare provider before taking this remedy if you have:

• a history of bladder or breast cancer in your family
• kidney stones or severe kidney disease
• a severe allergy to cow's milk
• cystic fibrosis
• thyroid disease

If you have endometrial cancer, talk with your provider before taking soy isoflavone supplements.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist about any natural remedy that you are using or thinking about using. If your provider does not tell you how to take it, follow the directions that come with the package. Do not take more or take it longer than recommended. Ask about anything you do not understand. Remember:

• Natural remedies are not always safe.
• You should not take them if you are pregnant or breast-feeding without your healthcare provider's approval. They should not be taken by infants, children, or older adults without your provider's approval.
• They affect your body and may interact with prescription medicines that you take.
• Natural remedies are not standardized and may have different strengths and effects. They may be contaminated.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its desirable effects, this remedy may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the remedy. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Other: Constipation, diarrhea, rash, trouble sleeping, bloating, nausea.

What products might interact with this remedy?

When you take this remedy with other medicines, it can change the way the remedy or the medicines work. Vitamins and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Before taking this remedy, talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• birth control pills, rings, patches, and implants and hormones such as conjugated estrogens (Premarin), estradiol (Estrace), medroxyprogesterone (Provera), and norethindrone (Aygestin, Camila, Jolivette, Micronor)
• MAO inhibitor antidepressants such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), and tranylcypromine (Parnate) (Do not take this medicine and an MAO inhibitor within 14 days of each other.)
• selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) such as raloxifene (Evista) and tamoxifen (Nolvadex)
• thyroid medicine such as levothyroxine (Levothroid, Levoxyl, Synthroid, Unithroid), liothyronine (Cytomel, Triostat), liotrix (Thyrolar), and thyroid (Armour Thyroid)
• warfarin (Coumadin)

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

Keep all natural remedies and medicines out of the reach of children.

This advisory includes select information only. The information was obtained from scientific journals, study reports, and other documents. The author and publisher make no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the information. The advisory may not include all side effects associated with a remedy or interactions with other medicines. Nothing herein shall constitute a recommendation for the use of any remedy. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information.