A Six-Month Randomized Controlled Trial of Whole Soy and Isoflavones Daidzein on Body Composition in Equol-Producing Postmenopausal Women with Prehypertension

Abstract

Objectives. This paper reported the effects of commonly used whole soy foods (soy flour) and purified daidzein (one of the major isoflavones and the precursor of equol) on changes in anthropometric measurements and body composition in a 6-month double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial among prehypertensive postmenopausal women who are also equol producers. Methods. 270 eligible women were randomized to either one of the three treatments: 40 g soy flour (whole soy group), 40 g low-fat milk powder + 63 mg daidzein (daidzein group), or 40 g low-fat milk powder (placebo group) daily each for 6 months. Anthropometric indicators and body composition were measured before and after intervention. Results. 253 subjects completed the study with good compliance. Urinary isoflavones levels suggested good compliance of subjects with supplementation. Whole soy and purified daidzein had no significant effect on body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist and hip circumferences, waist to hip ratio (WHR), body fat percentage, fat mass, and free fat mass. Conclusion. Six-month consumption of whole soy and purified daidzein at provided dosage had no improvement on body weight and composition compared with isocaloric milk placebo among prehypertensive equol-producing postmenopausal women. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01270737.

Therapeutic perspectives of epigenetically active nutrients

“…In vitro as well as in vivo studies suggested soy as a potential therapeutic agent for reduction of fat mass and weight, by an increase of energy utilization (Vaughn et al ., ), for decreased fat accumulation and a loss of visceral adipose tissue (Yamori, ; Nachtigal et al ., ). Correlations with a lower body mass index, waist circumference and body fat mass were observed (Liu et al ., ). Supplementation with S‐equol in obese and overweight patients significantly improved long‐term glycaemic control and cardiovascular health by lowering glycohaemoglobin, LDL‐C and arterial stiffness (Usui et al ., ).…”

“…However, others reported none of these effects (Azadbakht and Nurbakhsh, ; Baer et al ., ; Takahira et al ., ; Liu et al ., ). Differences in population characteristics, types of soy products, intervention period, methods used and microbial fluctuation in isoflavone degradation may be responsible for these discrepancies (Liu et al ., ). Epigenetic treatments during age‐related sex‐steroid hormone loss in menopause should also be assessed in terms of cognitive benefits, as a loss of oestrogen is correlated with cognitive decline, dementia and AD (Frick et al ., ; Winkler and Fox, ).…”

“…Loss of body weight and fat mass was also reported (Choquette et al, 2011). However, others reported none of these effects (Azadbakht and Nurbakhsh, 2011;Baer et al, 2011;Takahira et al, 2011;Liu et al, 2013). Differences in population characteristics, types of soy products, intervention period, methods used and microbial fluctuation in isoflavone degradation may be responsible for these discrepancies .…”

Randomized controlled trial of whole soy and isoflavone daidzein on menopausal symptoms in equol-producing Chinese postmenopausal women

“…22 In brief, the participants were Hong Kong Chinese women aged 48 to 65 years, at least 1 year after menopause, with a mean systolic blood pressure higher than 120 mm Hg or a mean diastolic blood pressure higher than 80 mm Hg, and who produce equol (defined as 24-h urinary log 10 S-equolYtoYdaidzein ratio 9j1.75 after daidzein challenge). 22 In brief, the participants were Hong Kong Chinese women aged 48 to 65 years, at least 1 year after menopause, with a mean systolic blood pressure higher than 120 mm Hg or a mean diastolic blood pressure higher than 80 mm Hg, and who produce equol (defined as 24-h urinary log 10 S-equolYtoYdaidzein ratio 9j1.75 after daidzein challenge).…”

Comparison of Ten Creatinine-based Equations for Estimation of Glomerular Filtration Rate in Chinese Postmenopausal Women with Normal or Mildly Reduced Renal Function

“…Subjects were excluded if they were on anti-hypertensive medication, hormone therapy or hypoglycemic agents in recent 3 months; medical history or presence of cardiovascular diseases, severe liver and renal diseases and malignancies in recent 5 years. More details regarding subjects recruitment were published elsewhere [18].…”