Soy

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Considered to be complete protein because it has all the amino acids required by the body to build protein chains.
Soy contains water-soluble chemicals called isoflavones. Isoflavones are part of the family of flavonoids which give vegetables, fruits and even flowers their colors. Flavonoids are also powerful antioxidants.
These antioxidant isoflavones are also known as phytoestrogens because of their weak estrogen activity. Estrogen is a female hormone.
An excess or a lack of natural estrogens in the body is harmful either way. When the estrogen level is high, especially just before monthly periods and during premenopause, estrogens bind themselves to certain receptor sites (e.g. in the breast and uterus) which cause heavy menstruation, tender breasts and can even lead to cancer. When estrogen level is low, problems with bone density, cholesterol and frustrating menopausal symptoms (e.g. hot flash, mood swings) begin to surface.
Genistein and daidzein are 2 types of phytoestrogen isoflavones that play a role in binding to estrogen receptor sites and can reduce the harmful effects of having either an excess or a lack of estrogen. What that means is soy can lower risks of hormone-related cancers like breast and endometrial cancer and relieve menopausal symptoms.
As for supplementing genistein in its concentrated form further research is needed to determine just how much can be consumed.
Isoflavones can inhibit prostate enlargement and reduce cell proliferation in the prostate.
Soy is the best source to obtain phytoestrogens.
Soy is naturally free of cholesterol and has also been found to lower cholesterol levels.
According to Ms. Monique Gilbert, author of Virtues of Soy: A Practical Health Guide and Cookbook (Universal Pub, 2001), soy's protein and isoflavones reduce artery clogging plaque, improve blood pressure and promote healthy blood vessels, which protects the body from free radical damage, boost the immune system, decrease blood clotting (thrombosis), which reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke and lowers the risk of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), heart disease and hypertension. In addition, soy's protein and soluble fiber help regulate glucose levels and kidney filtration, which can help control diabetic conditions and kidney disease.
Examples of isoflavone-rich herbs are black cohosh and red clover.
Strange but true, there are some people who have soy allergies or intolerance.
Plant estrogens found in soy help bring down high insulin levels that put postmenopausal type 2 diabetic women at risk for cardiovascular disease.
Reference : "Beneficial effects of soy phytoestrogen intake in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes" Jayagopal V, et al. Diabetes Care (Oct 2002)
25(10):1709-1714
A soy-rich diet may decrease inflammation-induced pain in rats, according to a study by Johns Hopkins researchers. 10 subjects (rats) with chronic pain from inflammation (similar to pain experienced by some cancer patients) who were fed with soy protein were able to tolerate pain better (measured by assessing how long the rats could tolerate a painful heat stimulus) than the other 10 rats who were given casein, milk protein. More than two-thirds of patients with advanced cancer suffer from chronic pain and morphine is most often used for relief, but with side effects that not everyone can endure.
Reference : "Dietary Soy Reduces Pain, Inflammation in Rats" SN. Raja, et al. Johns Hopkins University (2002)
A 10-week study conducted by the Psychopharmacology Research Unit at King's College London, found that participants who took 100 mg of soy isoflavones a day had improved memory and mental flexibility. It is believed that the soy isoflavones has a positive effect on brain receptors.
Reference : "Eating soya improves human memory" File SE, et al. Psychopharmacology (2001) 157(4):430-436

Food sources

green peas
miso
soy burger
soy flour
soy nuts (dried soybeans)
soy powder
non-diary soy milk
soy sausage
soy snack bar
soy sprouts
tempeh
tofu

Note : Soy sauce and soybean oil contain no isoflavones.

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