Soy Isoflavone Concentrate

Soy isoflavone concentrate is isolated from soybeans that are rich in two major isoflavones (genistein and daidzein). The soybeans are hulled, flaked, defatted, and extracted to produce soy protein concentrate, plus soy molasses. The sugars are then removed from the molasses, leaving a concentrated isoflavone solution, which is spray- dried into a powder form.

Major Health Benefits

Soy isoflavones have been found to promote bone formation and decrease bone resorption (removing calcium from bones and releasing it into the blood) in menopausal women.1 Clinical studies have suggested that adequate dietary intake of soy isoflavones is associated with lower risk of endometrial cancer2 and lower LDL-cholesterol (bad cholesterol) levels in women.3 There are suggestions that soy isoflavone might reduce hot flushes (hot flashes) in women with menopausal symptoms4 and that soy based infant formula containing soy isoflavones supports normal growth for newborns during their first year of life.5

References

  1. Ma DF, Qin LQ, Wang PY, Katoh R. Soy isoflavone intake inhibits bone resorption and stimulates bone formation in menopausal women: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2008 Feb;62(2):155-61. Epub 2007 Mar 28. PMID: 17392695.
  2. Horn-Ross PL, John EM, Canchola AJ, Stewart SL, Lee MM. Phytoestrogen intake and endometrial cancer risk. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2003 Aug 6;95(15):1158-64. PMID: 12902445.
  3. Wangen KE, Duncan AM, Xu X, Kurzer MS. Soy isoflavones improve plasma lipids in normocholesterolemic and mildly hypercholesterolemic postmenopausal women. Am J Clin Nutr. 2001 Feb;73(2):225-31. PMID: 11157317.
  4. Howes LG, Howes JB, Knight DC. Isoflavone therapy for menopausal flushes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Maturitas. 2006 Oct 20;55(3):203-11. Epub 2006 May 3. PMID: 16675169.
  5. Mendez MA, Anthony MS, Arab L. Soy-based formulae and infant growth and development: a review. J Nutr. 2002 Aug;132(8):2127-30. Review. PubMed PMID: 12163650.