SOY ISOFLAVONES

90 Capsules

or call 1-800-935-1680

$15.00

In the past several years, soy and its constituents have garnered considerable attention, from both researchers and health practitioners. Epidemiological data which indicated people from Asian cultures have lower rates of certain cancers, including cancer of the breast, prostate and colon, sparked an interest in soy as a contributing factor. While soy constituents, including, saponins, lignans, phytosterols, protease inhibitors, and phytates, have come under investigation, the constituents which seem to hold the most promise from a therapeutic standpoint are the two isoflavones, genistein and daidzein. Numerous epidemiological, human, animal and in vitro studies have demonstrated that soy isoflavones are effective chemopreventive agents for certain types of cancer. Mechanisms involved include antiangiogenesis, estrogen receptor binding, modulation of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, and inhibition of the enzymes protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) AND 5 ALPHA-REDUCTASE. Interaction with many other enzymes has been suggested.

Evidence also points to the beneficial effects of soy, particularly the isoflavones, in prevention of cardiovascular disease. Isoflavones appear to inhibit platelet activating factor and thrombin formation. They also increase HDL cholesterol and decrease triglycerides, LDL, VLDL, and total cholesterol. Other potential health benefits of soy include prevention of osteoporosis, via the phytoestrogen effects of isoflavones, and prevention of neovascularization in ocular conditions, via inhibition of angiogenesis.

Soy and Cancer

Epidemiological studies show that the consumption of soy is associated with a lowered risk of leukemia as well as cancers of the breast, lung and prostate. Supportive evidence has been found in studies utilizing cultured human breast cancer cells, leukemia cells and prostate cancer cells, and cells from animals.

Soy and Menopausal Symptoms

As a woman approaches menopause there is an increased risk of osteoporosis. Estrogen replacement therapy, started early enough, can prevent this and other perimenopausal problems. However, the increased risk of endometrial cancer caused by estrogen therapy, synthetic drugs, is a concern for some women.

Ipriflavone, which has daidzein as one of its metabolites, is one drug currently being investigated as an alternative to estrogen replacement therapy. In a recent study using rats, made surgically postmenopausal, researchers found that genistein administered in the diet can significantly increased bone mass compared to controls.

Soy Infant Formula and Estrogenicity

Over the past 30 years soy protein has been used in infant formulas. The formulas were developed for infants who had digestion and diarrheal problems with cow’s milk. Despite their apparent successful use over the years, a controversy has recently arisen over the possible effects of estrogenic isoflavonoids in soy on infants during a critical developmental stage. Isoflavones are found in the urine of young infants, but it isn’t known what proportion of the ingested isoflavones in the dies is actually absorbed.