Efficacy of soy isoflavones
Another possible cardiovascular protective mechanism of soy isoflavones is to act as an antioxidant to inhibit lipoprotein oxidation. Soy isoflavones can reduce lipid peroxidation in the body, thereby inhibiting LDL oxidation. The antioxidant activity of soy protein containing soy isoflavones was tested on 18 female college students aged 18-25 years. The results show that taking soy protein containing soy isoflavones for 4 weeks can significantly reduce plasma lipid peroxidation values ??and significantly increase the overall level of plasma antioxidant status (TAS).
Isoflavones can activate estrogen receptors, increase osteoblast activity, promote the production of insulin-like growth factors, thereby preventing osteoporosis
As women age, their bones Thyroid porosis is more common in men than in men. A survey shows that older women aged 25-30 suffer from severe osteoporosis. Bone loss is rapid in the first 10 years after menopause, and then enters a period of slow bone degradation. The lack of ovarian hormones causes metabolic turnover of bone, leading to an imbalance in bone formation and resorption, thereby accelerating bone loss. Estrogen receptors are present in intestinal cells, and estrogen can directly promote calcium transfer and intestinal calcium absorption. Estrogen can also increase the expression of vitamin D receptors in the duodenum and promote calcium absorption by regulating vitamin D receptors. When ovarian hormone is deficient, the intestinal absorption rate of calcium will inevitably be reduced, thereby accelerating bone loss.
In the early 1990s, soy isoflavones were recognized by scientists for their effectiveness in preventing and treating osteoporosis. The initial inference that soy isoflavones may promote bone health was based on the weak estrogenic properties of soy isoflavones, whose molecular structure is similar to the synthetic drug ipeflavone used to treat osteoporosis. Isoflavones were nearly as effective as estrogen in preventing bone loss in ovariectomized mice. Isoflavones can improve intestinal calcium absorption. Clinical studies have shown that soy products rich in isoflavones can promote bone regeneration in the lumbar spine and reduce bone loss.
Animal and human experimental data show that soy isoflavones can stimulate bone formation and inhibit bone resorption. Isoflavones can activate estrogen receptors, increase osteoblast activity, and promote the production of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I). IGF-I increases human osteoblast activity. Studies have confirmed that IGF-1 levels are positively correlated with bone mass in premenopausal, menopausal and postmenopausal women. A clinical trial on 90 postmenopausal women aged 47-57 years demonstrated that genistein can reduce bone resorption and increase bone formation in postmenopausal women. In addition to the direct effects of soy isoflavones, replacing animal protein with soy protein containing soy isoflavones can also significantly reduce calcium excretion. These effects may be related to the sulfur-containing amino acids in soy protein.
A large number of studies have confirmed that people who pay attention to a scientific diet and regularly eat foods rich in soybeans and soy isoflavones have a significantly higher incidence of breast cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular disease. Lower than those who consume soybeans and those with low soy isoflavone content. Therefore, natural soy hypocotyls and soy isoflavones have a very important role in promoting human health.