Soy, soy phytoestrogens and cardiovascular disease.
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.
Clarkson
Thomas B
TB
Comparative Medicine Clinical Research Center, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA. tclarkso@wfubmc.edu
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
D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D004968:Estrogens, Non-Steroidal; D007529:Isoflavones; D008055:Lipids; D048789:Phytoestrogens; D028321:Plant Preparations; D030262:Soybean Proteins