title: Whole soy, but not purified daidzein, had a favorable effect on improvement of cardiovascular risks: a 6-month randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial in equol-producing postmenopausal women.
abstract: METHODS
  Equol is produced by the intestinal bacteria from isoflavone daidzein. Studies have reported the health benefits of soy can only present or more pronounced in equol producers. This 6-month randomized controlled trial examined the effect of whole soy (soy flour) and purified daidzein on cardiovascular biomarkers and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in prehypertensive postmenopausal women who were equol producers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two hundred seventy eligible women were randomized to either one of the three treatments: 40 g soy flour (whole soy group), 40 g low-fat milk powder + 63 mg daidzein (daidzein group), or 40 g low-fat milk powder (placebo group) daily each for 6 months. Fasting venous samples were obtained at baseline and end of trial for testing glucose, lipids, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and free fatty acid. Changes in common CIMT were also assessed. Serum LDL-C decreased by 7.95% (95% CI: -15.09∼-0.81%) and 6.32% (95% CI: -13.45∼0.08%), and serum hs-CRP decreased by 0.164 (95% CI: -0.309∼-0.019) and 0.054 (95% CI: -0.199∼0.012) in the whole soy group compared with daidzein and milk placebo groups, respectively. No significant change in CIMT was found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Whole soy, but not purified daidzein, had a beneficial effect on reduction of LDL-C and hs-CRP among prehypertensive equol-producing postmenopausal women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong SAR, China.
authors.forename: Zhao-Min
authors.initials: ZM
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Suzanne C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: Yu-Ming
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Stella
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: To
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tomlinson
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Woo
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D060754:Equol / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007529:Isoflavones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008892:Milk; D017698:Postmenopause; D012307:Risk Factors; D013025:Glycine max
chemical_list: D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D007529:Isoflavones; D060754:Equol; C004742:daidzein; D002097:C-Reactive Protein
keywords: Cardiovascular risks; Daidzein; Inflammatory marker; Lipids; Whole soy