Soy isoflavones: hope or hype?
Approximately 50% of Americans use dietary supplements on a regular basis spending an estimated $20 billion on supplements in the year 2000. Soy contains genistein and daidzein, two phytoestrogens, which work through the estrogen receptor and cause alterations in serum lipids, bone metabolism, and possibly cognition. In this article, we review the issues regarding the interpretation with studies using soy-based isoflavones, discuss their mechanism of action, and review the literature on the effect of these bio-active compounds on lipid metabolism, osteoblasts and osteoclasts, bone markers, bone mineral density, and cognition.
Fitzpatrick
Lorraine A
LA
Department of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism and Nutrition, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
D000818:Animals; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004968:Estrogens, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007529:Isoflavones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008593:Menopause; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000188:drug therapy; D048789:Phytoestrogens; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D028321:Plant Preparations; D051381:Rats; D013025:Glycine max
D004968:Estrogens, Non-Steroidal; D007529:Isoflavones; D048789:Phytoestrogens; D010936:Plant Extracts; D028321:Plant Preparations