Soy Isoflavone Ext

The soybean has been a significant part of the Asian diet for centuries but its use in the Western diet is still limited although increasing. Researchers have identified several key areas where soy appears to be effective and additional areas are being studied.

Soy’s use in lowering the risk of heart disease is well established. Its ability to lower cholesterol levels has been demonstrated in large populations of Asians where soy consumption is highest. Beginning in 1999 the FDA allowed manufacturers to begin publishing the health claim that including soy as part of a low fat and low cholesterol diet may reduce the risk of heart disease. Both the FDA and the American Heart Association recommend consuming 25 grams of soy daily to achieve this benefit. This is equivalent to approximately 12.5 mg of soy isoflavones.

Researchers have also identified soy’s ability to help ease some menopausal symptoms particularly night sweats and hot flashes. As women approach and enter menopause they are also more likely to experience the bone loss associated with osteoporosis. Early studies appear to indicate that soy isoflavones taken as a woman approaches menopause can help improve bone mineral density. An examination of post menopausal women in Japan found those with the highest soy isoflavone levels in their diet had the best bone density.

The North American Menopause Society has published recommendations for soy isoflavone consumption for various conditions:

• Cholesterol support – 50 mg/day
• Bone health – 50 mg/day
• Reduction of hot flashes – 40-80 mg/day

Each serving of Soy Isoflavone Extract by Vitabase provides 25-35 mg of soy isoflavones.