Why was this study done?
The importance of maintaining optimum plasma lipid (HDL, LDL, total cholesterol) concentrations is well established. This study was designed to help understand the effects of soy protein (with or without additional isoflavones) on blood lipids in postmenopausal women.
What did the study find?
The group taking soy that included additional isoflavones had a significant drop in both total and LDL cholesterol levels.
The effect of soy protein with or without isoflavones relative to milk protein on plasma lipids in hypercholesterolemic postmenopausal women.
Authors: Gardner CD, Newell KA, Cherin R, Haskell WL. Am J Clin Nutr. 2001 Apr;73(4):728-35.
PubMed Citation, PMID: 11273847.
PDF Manuscript: Am J Clin Nutr, 2001.