title: Soy, soy phytoestrogens and cardiovascular disease.
abstract: Dietary soy protein has been shown to have several beneficial effects on cardiovascular health. The best-documented effect is on plasma lipid and lipoprotein concentrations, with reductions of approximately 10% in LDL cholesterol concentrations (somewhat greater for individuals with high pretreatment LDL cholesterol concentrations) and small increases in HDL cholesterol concentrations. Dietary soy protein improves flow-mediated arterial dilation of postmenopausal women but worsens that of men. Soy isoflavone extracts improve systemic arterial compliance, an indicator of atherosclerosis extent. Complete soy protein but not alcohol-washed soy protein reduces atherosclerosis of postmenopausal monkeys. No definite experimental evidence exists currently to establish that the cardiovascular benefits of soy protein are accounted for by its isoflavones.
authors.affiliation: Comparative Medicine Clinical Research Center, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA. tclarkso@wfubmc.edu
authors.forename: Thomas B
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Clarkson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000502:physiology; D004968:Estrogens, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007529:Isoflavones / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D048789:Phytoestrogens; D028321:Plant Preparations; D030262:Soybean Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014664:Vasodilation
chemical_list: D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D004968:Estrogens, Non-Steroidal; D007529:Isoflavones; D008055:Lipids; D048789:Phytoestrogens; D028321:Plant Preparations; D030262:Soybean Proteins