The potential health benefits of soybeans are due in large part to their high content of isoflavones. Isoflavones are estrogen-like compounds derived from plants. The isoflavones contained in soy include genistein, daidzein, and glycitein. Soy ioflavones have been purported to prevent and treat a variety of ailments. The long-term safety of soy isoflavone supplements is unclear, reports the Linus Pauling Institute. Check with your health care provider before taking soy supplements, as they are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Cardiovascular Heatlh
Soy products may have positive effects on the cardiovascular system and health in general since they are low in saturated or unhealthy fat, high in polyunsaturated or good fats and contain vitamins, minerals and fiber, notes an American Heart Association (AHA) Science Advisory review of 22 clinical trials on soy. Published in February 2006 in the journal "Circulation," the review did not find substantial health benefits from soy. The review was headed by F.M. Sacks of the American Heart Association Nutrition Committee.
Modestly Lowers Cholesterol
Daily consumption of soy protein may slightly lower LDL or "bad" cholesterol levels, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. The AHA Science Advisory review pointed out that isolated soy protein with isoflavones reduced LDL cholesterol concentrations a relatively small 3 percent compared with dairy milk or other protiens. Soy didn't have a notable effect on HDL or "good" cholesterol or triglycerides. Triglycerides are a type of fat present in the body and some foods
Cancer Prevention
A group of researchers who analyzed epidemiological studies concluded that soy isoflavones are important dietary components in the prevention of breast and prostate cancers. The soy isoflavone genistein, commonly known as phytoestrogen, was singled out as potentially preventing and/or treating cancer, according to a report published in 2003 in the journal "Cancer Investigation." The analysis was headed by F.H. Starkar of the Department of Pathology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan.
However the American Heart Association review of clinical trials reported contradictory findings that soy isoflavones did not appear to guard against preventing or treating cancer of the breast, endometrium, and prostate.
Menopausal Hot Flashes and Bone Loss
Soy isoflavone supplements may diminish postmenopausal hot flashes, although studies have drawn varying conclusions, reports the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, or NCCAM. Soy isoflavones have also been suggested to offer protective effects against osteoporosis. A daily dosage of 90 mg of soy isoflavones may slow bone loss and encourage bone formation, according to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University. However, the 2006 AHA Science Advisory review noted that soy protein and isoflavones have not been shown to reduce menopausal hot flashes, and there were mixed results as to soy's ability to slow postmenopausal bone loss.
References
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Soy
- PubMed.gov: Soy Isoflavones and Cancer Prevention
- PubMed: Soy Protein, Isoflavones, and Cardiovascular Health: An American Heart Association Science Advisory for Professionals from the Nutrition Committee
- Oregon State University Linus Pauling Institute: Soy Isoflavones
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