title: Soy product intake is inversely associated with serum homocysteine level in premenopausal Japanese women.
abstract: Soybeans, which are an excellent source of folate, vitamin B-6 and minerals, may reduce serum homocysteine level. However, there is a possibility that dietary soy raises the serum homocysteine level because isoflavones, which are weak estrogens contained in soybeans, may exert antiestrogenic effects in a high estrogen environment, such as in premenopausal women. The present study examined a cross-sectional relationship between soy product intake and serum homocysteine level in 201 premenopausal Japanese women. Intakes of soy products, folate, methionine and vitamins B-6 and B-12 were estimated by a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. Folate status was also assessed by measuring serum folate. Soy product intake in terms of soy protein as well as soy isoflavone intake was modestly but significantly inversely associated with serum homocysteine level (r = -0.15, P = 0.04) after controlling for covariates. Soy product intake was also significantly positively correlated with serum folate (r = 0.15, P = 0.04). Although it is unclear the extent to which each component of soy, such as folate and isoflavones, is associated with the serum homocysteine concentration, this biochemical complex appears to have a favorable effect on homocysteine metabolism in premenopausal women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Gifu University School of Medicine, Japan. chisato@cc.gifu-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Chisato
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nagata
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shimizu
authors.forename: Rieko
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Takami
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hayashi
authors.forename: Noriyuki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Takeda
authors.forename: Keigo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yasuda
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007529:Isoflavones / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008715:Methionine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D009752:Nutritional Status; D017697:Premenopause; D030262:Soybean Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013025:Glycine max; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000008:administration & dosage; D025101:Vitamin B 6 / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D007529:Isoflavones; D030262:Soybean Proteins; D006710:Homocysteine; D025101:Vitamin B 6; D005492:Folic Acid; D008715:Methionine; D014805:Vitamin B 12