Study Reports on Soy's Cardiovascular Benefits, Possible Detriments

CLAYTON, Australia--In July's The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (86, 7:3053-60, 2001) (http://jcem.endojournals.org), researchers reported that soy may benefit--as well as possibly have adverse effects on--cardiovascular health. In a study led by Helena Teede, M.D., from Monash University based here, researchers administered either soy protein isolate (with 40 g of soy protein and 118 mg of isoflavones) or a placebo to 213 men and postmenopausal women over a three-month period. In this randomized, double blind trial, researchers measured blood pressure, lipids, vascular function and endothelial function.

They found that soy consumption improved blood pressure and lipid levels, but it did not affect vascular function. In addition, men experienced a decline in endothelial (cells that line the heart) function.

According to a study published last January, however, oxidation of human endothelial cells was found to be completely inhibited by administration of the soy isoflavone, genistein (Free Radic Res 2001: 34, 1:101-12). Further research needs to be conducted in this matter, which Teede et al also concluded.

Share this article: Email, Slashdot, Digg, Del.icio.us, Yahoo!MyWeb, Windows Live Favorites, Furl
Add this article feed to: RSS, My Yahoo, Newsgator, Bloglines