title: Soy inclusion in the diet improves features of the metabolic syndrome: a randomized crossover study in postmenopausal women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Little evidence exists regarding the effects of soy consumption on the metabolic syndrome in humans.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to determine the effects of soy consumption on components of the metabolic syndrome, plasma lipids, lipoproteins, insulin resistance, and glycemic control in postmenopausal women with the metabolic syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  This randomized crossover clinical trial was undertaken in 42 postmenopausal women with the metabolic syndrome. Participants were randomly assigned to consume a control diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, DASH), a soy-protein diet, or a soy-nut diet, each for 8 wk. Red meat in the DASH period was replaced by soy-protein in the soy-protein period and by soy-nut in the soy-nut period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The soy-nut regimen decreased the homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance score significantly compared with the soy-protein (difference in percentage change: -7.4 +/- 0.8; P < 0.01) or control (-12.9 +/- 0.9; P < 0.01) diets. Consumption of soy-nut also reduced fasting plasma glucose more significantly than did the soy-protein (-5.3 +/- 0.5%; P < 0.01) or control (-5.1 +/- 0.6%; P < 0.01) diet. The soy-nut regimen decreased LDL cholesterol more than did the soy-protein period (-5.0 +/- 0.6%; P < 0.01) and the control (-9.5 +/- 0.6%; P < 0.01) diet. Soy-nut consumption significantly reduced serum C-peptide concentrations compared with control diet (-8.0 +/- 2.1; P < 0.01), but consumption of soy-protein did not.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Short-term soy-nut consumption improved glycemic control and lipid profiles in postmenopausal women with the metabolic syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Shaheed Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. lazadbakht@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Leila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Azadbakht
authors.forename: Masoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kimiagar
authors.forename: Yadollah
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mehrabi
authors.forename: Ahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Esmaillzadeh
authors.forename: Mojgan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Padyab
authors.forename: Frank B
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Walter C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Willett
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D049628:Body Size; D002641:Chicago; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004032:Diet; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D005260:Female; D038321:Glycemic Index / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007657:Ketone Bodies / Q000652:urine; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000178:diet therapy*; D017698:Postmenopause; D011788:Quality of Life; D030262:Soybean Proteins; D015431:Weight Loss
chemical_list: D007657:Ketone Bodies; D030262:Soybean Proteins