Affiliations: Sydney Menopause Centre, Royal Hospital for Women,
Barker Street, Randwick, NSW, 2031, Australia | School of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of
New South Wales, Australia
Note: [] School of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Royal Hospital for Women,
Barker St., Randwick, NSW, 2031, Australia. Tel.: 61 2 9382 6777; Fax: 61 2
9382 6758; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: Fifty four postmenopausal women with elevated cholesterol were
recruited for a randomised, double-blind controlled trial of soy protein
containing isoflavones. (ISP+) or a soy protein with a low
isoflavone content (ISP-), taken daily for 12 weeks. There
was an overall reduction after 12 weeks in total cholesterol (TC), LDL
cholesterol (LDL-C), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), and luteinizing
hormone (LH). There were no significant differences between treatment groups.
In a separate study 27 male subjects with a TC > 5.5 mmol/l
were given ISP+ for 12 weeks. In this male study there was a
significant increase in HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) and SHBG. Soy protein has a
cholesterol lowering effect in both women and men. These studies suggest that
this effect is independent of isoflavones. Soy protein also reduces SHBG levels
in both sexes.
Journal: BioFactors, vol. 12, no. 1-4, pp. 251-257, 2000
