Tuesday, June 15, 1999
Research backs benefits of soy
Post-menopausal women take note
BY TIM BONFIELD
The Cincinnati Enquirer
A diet rich in soy protein has some of the positive effects of estrogen replacement therapy but without the risky side effects, according to early research from Children's Hospital Medical Center and the University of Cincinnati.
Many post-menopausal women take estrogen to reduce their risks of heart disease (the leading cause of death for women) and osteoporosis (bone loss). However, many women avoid estrogen replacement because it can increase their risk of breast cancer (the third leading cause of death for women) and blood clots.
So, researchers have been looking for a natural alternative. Eating a lot of soy protein appears to help, according to a study presented Monday at a conference in San Diego.
The study was conducted by Dr. Michael Scheiber, of the obstetrics and gynecology department at UC, and Dr. Kenneth Setchell, director of mass spectrometry at Children's Hospital.
The study involved 50 post-menopausal women who consumed three servings a day of soy milk or roasted soy nuts for 12 weeks. That provided a daily dose of 60 to 70 milligrams of isoflavones, a compound found in plants that, like estrogen, acts as an anti-oxidant.
On the heart disease front, researchers measured a 5.5 percent increase in “good” HDL cholesterol and a 9 percent reduction in “bad” LDL cholesterol.
On the osteoporosis front, the study noted a 13 percent increase in osteocalcin, a marker of bone formation; and a 14.5 percent decrease in markers for osteoclasts, cells that cause bone loss.
The benefits of soy were not compared side-by-side with hormone replacement therapy, but soy protein probably has a weaker heart-disease prevention benefit, Dr. Setchell said.
On the bone loss side, the comparison may be closer, because soy protein revealed a bone-forming benefit that estrogen does not provide, Dr. Setchell said
This study involved taking three handfuls of soy nuts or three 250 milliliter glasses (about 7.5 ounces each) of soy milk per day.
So can you buy a vitamin that does the same thing? Dr. Setchell said he's aware of at least eight different brands of plant-based estrogen-mimicking pills.
However, Dr. Setchell said he was unaware of any controlled studies that show the effects of the various doses. Nor has he seen studies showing that the body can absorb the pill versions as well as soy protein from food.
The next step for local researchers is to conduct a longer-term study — one to three years — to measure how soy protein affects bone density. Such tests were not possible in a 12-week pilot study.
Hospitals give critical care to Y2K plans
Luken: Council has him 'pumped'
No replacement yet for Luken at Channel 5
Too many deer parked here
Boy's eye for detail helps nab suspects
Father gets prison time
Help comes to disabled people
Highway no toll on Butler drivers
Teacher owes to Rosa Parks
Worm dirties work week
Dial 'N' for Naked Cowboy
Oldenberg loses fizz, files for reorganization
President plans July 23 stop here
Research backs benefits of soy
Youth shot in Columbia Twp.; suspects sought
100 years, 10 stars
Controversy surrounds man's arrest
County wins in Supreme Court
Guilty plea in creek slaying
Stores sop up damage
Donation will buy 4 cameras
Lakota to dissect school day
Lt. governor talks school safety
Newport cool to idea of 911 study
Seniors in public housing complain
2 men indicted for in audio thefts
Center project stymies council
Despite calls, twisters didn't hit Boone Co.
Former GOP leader Eric Deters to run for Kenton attorney in 2002
Gannett unveils ethics rules
Kentucky teen struck by lightning
Lebanon looks at zone changes
Limo owner convicted of evidence tampering
Mediation ordered in Justin case
State recommends 12th St. plan
Symmes Township administrator resigns
Vote soon on Fort Wash. Way cost hikes
GET TO IT
TRISTATE DIGEST
