Q: Does soy cause breast cancer?
Dr. Gillian Goddard:
Soy contains phytoestrogens. So these are isoflavones, which are chemical compounds that are very similar to estrogen and act on the estrogen receptor.
If you are someone who has a history of estrogen receptor positive breast cancer, soy is probably not the best idea for you.
But in women who have a normal breast cancer risk, have never had breast cancer themselves, soy is completely fine.
Q: Can hormone testing tell you everything about your hormones?
Dr. Gillian Goddard:
If only.
The biggest thing about hormones is that they aren’t static and they’re not supposed to be.
Our hormones are supposed to be fluctuating up and down in response to our internal and external environment. And when they’re working properly, they are self-balancing.
We don’t have to do anything to balance them.
Fluctuation means that testing hormones gets tricky. And that’s why you need an expert to really interpret those results.
Q: Is “balancing your hormones” actually a thing?
Dr. Gillian Goddard:
There is not.
And you don’t need an expensive product to help you do that. Your hormones are self-balancing.
When they’re not self-balancing, you need an endocrinologist, not a supplement.
Q: What supplements are actually worth spending money on?
Dr. Gillian Goddard:
I think that most supplements are probably things we don’t need to be spending money on.
The exception to that are some of the things we’ve talked about: creatine, protein, collagen, calcium and vitamin D.
And then if you have specific deficiencies, like iron deficiency, B12, or specific indications, like magnesium can be helpful for things like sleep and migraine prophylaxis.
But otherwise, I would say most supplements are not something people need to be spending their money on.
Q: What should women spend their money on instead?
Dr. Gillian Goddard:
Strength training.
And that doesn’t mean you have to be spending a lot of money on it.
Whether that’s to have some weights at home or some exercise bands at home or your gym membership, that’s what women should be spending money on.
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