Different cultures around the world eat varying amounts of foods made from soybeans. Asian cultures certainly eat the most soy foods. Asian women also report having many fewer symptoms such as hot flashes as they go through menopause. Scientists believe that isoflavones - estrogen like compounds - within soy foods are responsible for the reduction in menopausal symptoms. Isoflavones act as "weak" estrogens in the body. They seem to exert the health benefits of estrogens but do not exert the negative health consequences such as increased risk of breast cancer. It is unclear if taking isolated isoflavones in tablet form will have the same effect as eating a diet that is rich in soy foods, such as soymilk, tofu, edamame, etc. There is also some question about the possible negative side effects over time of taking isoflavones in pill form. Until more research is completed on the use of isolated isoflavones I recommend that you work towards eating more soy foods.