SOYA ISOFLAVONES
The soybean was one of the 5 ancient Chinese ‘sacred beans’ and it has been one of their major crops since 300BC. Buddhist Missionaries introduced it to the Japanese, where it is now a major part of their diet. Investigation of the low incidence of menopausal symptoms and osteoporosis in Japanese women led to a link with soya consumption (the Japanese do not even have a word for hot flush). The health benefits have been attributed to the presence of 3 compounds, genistein, diadzein and glycitein, which belong to a group known as isoflavones. Men and women from the Far East consume 50-100mg of isoflavones a day on average.
The Benefits of Soya Isoflavones
Menopause - research carried out on isoflavones as a natural alternative to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has shown them to be effective in reducing hot flushes, headaches, irritability, vaginitis and vaginal dryness.
Osteoporosis - it is thought that soya’s weak oestrogenic effect helps prevent bone resorption (break down by the body) and thus promotes bone density. 90-100mg a day of isoflavones has been shown to be an effective dose.
High cholesterol - a reduction in cholesterol levels has been demonstrated in men and women, due to soya’s saponins binding to cholesterol in the intestines, limiting its absorption. Soya isoflavones also possess antioxidant activity.
