AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION DOES NOT RECOMMEND SOY ISOFLAVONE SUPPLEMENTS.

After assessing the more recent work published on soy protein and its component isoflavones, the AHA nutrition committee found a lack of significant benefit from soy and therefore does not recommend isoflavone supplements in food or pills, according to a report in the January 17 Rapid Access issue of Circulation. The authors reviewed 22 randomized trials comparing consumption of isolated soy proteins with other proteins. As compared with other proteins, soy decreased LDL cholesterol concentrations by an average amount of about 3%. This reduction was small relative to the large amount of soy protein tested in these studies, which was about 50 g, or half the usual total daily protein intake, a ratio that might be difficult to achieve. There were no significant effects on HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, lipoprotein, or blood pressure. Because of the lack of significant benefit to health outcomes, the authors recommend against the use of isoflavone supplements. However, they do advocate consumption of foods containing soy, as these foods generally have high contents of polyunsaturated fats, fiber, and vitamins. (Medscape Medical News, Jan. 25, 2006)