46. The Truth About Soy for Perimenopausal Women w/ Dena Norton, MS, RD
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In this episode, we covered:
- Dena’s general approach to diet in perimenopause
- Why protein is crucial in perimenopause
- The role of soy in perimenopause
- Benefits of soy in symptom management
- Is soy a replacement for HRT?
- The best sources of soy
- Soy-based supplements – yay or nay?
Hey, welcome back to the show! Today I have an awesome guest, one of my colleagues, Dena Norton.
Meet Dena Norton
Dena has been a registered dietitian for over 20 years, working in the conventional medical system and the holistic and functional medicine spheres. She is the owner of Back To The Book Nutrition, a website and virtual nutrition practice that has helped hundreds of people around the world overcome chronic digestive and hormonal symptoms.
After helping midlife women for years, Dena entered her 40’s and was hit with low libido, midsection weight gain, and sleep disturbance. This wake-up call drove her to research perimenopause more deeply than ever and, after applying what she learned, has reduced her symptoms and feels back in control of her health!
Now Dena is passionate about helping fellow 40-something women navigate this topsy-turvy stage of life through her Forties Fix program, which leverages proven strategies to curb symptoms, help women feel great in their bodies, and significantly reduce the risk of chronic diseases that plague so many aging women.
I want to thank Dena again for hanging with me on this episode.
Why I Invited Dena on the Show
I invited Dena on the show cuz I know she does her due diligence, and I wanted to chat specifically about soy and how it can benefit perimenopausal women.
But before we dive into that, Dena and I have a similar philosophy when it comes to diet. Not just from a scientific standpoint, but also what we see in practice and with respect to women’s cultural backgrounds, beliefs, and personal preference.
Here are the main questions that I sat down to get her thoughts on:
- Knowing that every woman is unique and we can only share general recommendations here, what’s your general approach and observations when it comes to diet for perimenopausal women?
- Why is protein so important for women in this stage of life?
- While we both recommend animal protein, many women prefer to eat a more plant-based diet. Soy has been around for thousands of years. So it would be foolish IMO to not dig into the research and have an understanding of how it may benefit women. Can you explain the role of phytoestrogens in soy?
- What are the specific health benefits of soy for perimenopausal women?
- Can it be used instead of HRT?
- What are the best sources of soy?
- How much soy should women aim to consume daily for potential benefits?
- Are there any risks associated with over consumption of soy?
- I recently did an episode on supplements b/c there are so many “hormone balancing” supplements on the market, targeted at women in perimenopause. What are your thoughts and are many of these hormone balancing formulations geared towards symptom alleviation or can they offer long term health benefits (vs. HRT that does both)?
To connect with Dena Norton, MS, RD:
Website: https://www.backtothebooknutrition.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backtothebooknutrition/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/backtothebooknutrition
FREE RESOURCE – Natural Alternatives to HRT: https://back-to-the-book-nutrition.kit.com/natural-hrt
Claudia Petrilli is a Functional Health Coach, Integrative Nutrition Coach, Women’s Health Educator, and creator of The Hormone Rescue program. Having experienced debilitating periods, digestive issues, a sluggish thyroid, a pituitary tumor, and perimenopause symptoms in her late 30s, she knows exactly what it’s like to get dismissed by doctors and spend years searching for answers.
Need guidance on hormone replacement therapy?:
Need guidance on hormone replacement therapy? Check out Claudia’s course: Perimenopause HRT Roadmap to learn the ins and outs of hormone replacement therapy, get empowered with easy-to-understand information & gain confidence to advocate for yourself and get the support you need!
Need 1:1 support?
Need 1:1 support? Sign up for a Perimenopause Clarity Session with Claudia. This private session is designed for busy women who need fast, actionable advice. Whether you’re unsure about your HRT plan, diet or lifestyle, you’ll walk away with personalized recommendations to improve energy, sleep, mood, and more—without the overwhelm.
Free Resources:
Peri-What?! The Must-Have Guide for Navigating Hormone Changes in Your 40s
Programs:
Connect with Claudia:
Have a question or episode topic suggestion? Please email: claudia@claudiapetrilli.com.
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