The Uses Of Soy Protein

A new study shows soy protein with isoflavones does not have a beneficial effect on cognitive function, bone mineral density, or cholesterol in postmenopausal women.

Researchers say that the decline in estrogen levels after menopause is related to a decrease in bone mineral density and cognitive function along with an increase in cholesterol. Some women have taken hormone therapy to offset these effects of menopause, yet recent studies have shown many risks associated with hormone therapy. Isoflavones, which are estrogen-like compounds naturally occurring in soy protein, have been suggested as an alternative for hormone therapy without as many adverse effects.

Researchers studied 202 healthy postmenopausal women aged 60 to 75. The women were either assigned 25.6 grams of soy protein containing 99 milligrams of isoflavones or a placebo for 12 months. Cognitive function, bone mineral density, and cholesterol were measured at the beginning of the study and at the final visit 12 months later. Researchers say they did not find any effect of the soy protein supplementation.

Timing of the supplementation may provide an explanation for the difference in findings from this study to previous ones that showed more promising effects of soy protein with isoflavones, say researchers. Thus researchers say , in future when studies are done in this regard , the influence of the timing of supplementation needs to be elucidated for better evaluation