Isoflavones and Postmenopausal Women
- Cesare R. Sirtori, MD, PhD
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cesare.sitori@unimi.it
University of Milan
University Center of Hyperlipidemias
Niguarda Hospital
Milan, Italy
Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text.
- KEYWORDS:
- BONE DENSITY
- DATA INTERPRETATION, STATISTICAL
- ISOFLAVONES
- SOYBEAN PROTEINS
- VITAMIN D
- WOMEN'S HEALTH
To the Editor: The study by Dr Kreijkamp-Kaspers and colleagues1 indicates that the daily intake of soy protein enriched with isoflavones has no role in improving cognitive function, BMD, and plasma lipid levels in relatively elderly postmenopausal women. Although this conclusion about the administration of soy isoflavones appears valid, there is good evidence that soy protein may be effective in lowering plasma lipid levels. This is supported by the meta-analysis by Anderson et al2 cited in this article. Most of the studies in this meta-analysis used far higher daily doses of soy protein than the present study did. Studies such as that of the “dietary portfolio”3 support a real benefit of vegetable vs animal protein for the reduction of hypercholesterolemia and for cardiovascular disease prevention.
