Effect of soy protein containing isoflavones on cognitive function, bone mineral density, and plasma lipids in postmenopausal women: a randomized controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
Postmenopausal estrogen therapy has been posited to have some beneficial effects on aging processes, but its use has risks. Isoflavones, estrogenlike compounds naturally occurring in plant foods, might confer positive effects with fewer adverse effects.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether soy protein with isoflavones improves cognitive function, bone mineral density, and plasma lipids in postmenopausal women.


METHODS
Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 202 healthy postmenopausal women aged 60 to 75 years, recruited from a population-based sample in the Netherlands, conducted between April 2000 and September 2001.


METHODS
Participants were randomly assigned to receive 25.6 g of soy protein containing 99 mg of isoflavones (52 mg genistein, 41 mg daidzein, and 6 mg glycetein or total milk protein as a powder on a daily basis for 12 months.


METHODS
Cognitive function was assessed using the following instruments: dementia, Mini-Mental State Examination; memory, Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, immediate recall, delayed recall, and recognition, the Digit Span forward and reversed, and the Doors test; complex attention tasks, Digit Symbol Substitution and Trailmaking, A1, A2, and B; and verbal skills, Verbal Fluency A and N, animals and occupations, and the Boston Naming Task. Bone mineral density of the hip and lumbar spine was assessed using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scanning. Lipid assessment included lipoprotein(a), total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, and triglycerides.


RESULTS
A total of 175 women completed the baseline and at least 1 postintervention analysis and were included in the modified intent-to-treat analysis. Adherence was good (median plasma genistein levels, 17.2 and 615.1 nmol/L for placebo and soy group, respectively). Cognitive function, bone mineral density, or plasma lipids did not differ significantly between the groups after a year.


CONCLUSIONS
This double-blind randomized trial does not support the hypothesis that the use of soy protein supplement containing isoflavones improves cognitive function, bone mineral density, or plasma lipids in healthy postmenopausal women when started at the age of 60 years or later.
Kreijkamp-Kaspers
Sanne
S
The Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Kok
Linda
L
Grobbee
Diederick E
DE
de Haan
Edward H F
EH
Aleman
André
A
Lampe
Johanna W
JW
van der Schouw
Yvonne T
YT
D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007529:Isoflavones / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D008894:Milk Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000187:drug effects*; D030262:Soybean Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D007529:Isoflavones; D008055:Lipids; D008894:Milk Proteins; D030262:Soybean Proteins