Soy Isoflavone Weight Loss

Soy beans and their derivatives are marketed as good for overall health, including hormone balance and weight control.

Soy beans and their derivatives have been consumed in Japan and other parts of Asia for centuries. Since the Japanese historically suffer fewer modern maladies, like heart disease, obesity and diabetes, scientists have begun studying the possible link between soy and overall good health. Products have proliferated on the market containing soy isoflavones. Their manufacturers claim these products relieve many symptoms of menopause, as well as aid in weight loss.

Positive Research Results

Professors from the Department of Nutrition and Exercise Health at the University of Arizona conducted a study to determine if a low carbohydrate, high protein, low fat diet would be healthier and more effective than a high carbohydrate, low fat diet. Their findings showed that eating plenty of protein from low-fat sources, like soy and lean animal sources, can produce good weight loss results while maintaining good health. The protein is an integral part of the success.

Negative Research Results

A group of endocrinologists and bioscientists from Germany, Italy, the UK and the U.S. published their findings from a study where soy isoflavone supplements were added to a low-fat diet. While no harm came to the subjects, no weight loss or appetite suppression was evident. The study was performed on postmenopausal women because lower estrogen levels increase a woman's tendency toward weight gain. Isolated soy isoflavones did not appear to help regulate this tendency.

Adding Soy to Your Diet

Adding soy protein to a sensible diet of vegetables, fruit, low-glycemic whole grains and lower fat dairy is a good way to help you reach your weight loss goals. Soy milk, tofu, soy nuts and meat substitutes are easily incorporated into your eating plan so you can lower the amount of fat you take in without lowering the protein. Many low sugar meal replacement drinks and bars include soy protein, and provide a sensible and tasty snack that can be enjoyed for their health benefits, even after you have reached your desired weight.

Soy Isoflavone Supplements

Soy isoflavone supplements marketed for menopausal symptoms do seem to be a good choice for that application. The phytoestrogens contained in these supplements work with the other ingredients to help relieve many of the more uncomfortable aspects of menopause. Stephen Barnes, PhD of the University of Alabama states that genistein (one of the isoflavones) is instrumental in keeping Asian populations from experiencing breast and prostate cancers. Increasing your soy isoflavone intake through diet or natural supplements lowers your risk for these cancers and heart disease.

Considerations

Obtaining soy isoflavones through food sources is a less expensive and more effective means of getting the benefit of this remarkable supplement, especially in terms of weight loss.

References

• "Soy Isoflavones Increase Preprandial Peptide YY (PYY), but Have No Effect on Ghrelin and Body Weight in Healthy Postmenopausal Women," MO Weikert et al, Journal of Negative Results in Biomedicine, 2006
• "Rationale for the Use of Genistein-Containing Soy Matrices in Chemoprevention Trials for Breast and Prostate Cancer," Barnes, Peterson, Coward, Journal of Cellular Biochemistry, 2004
• "High-Protein, Low-Fat Diets Are Effective for Weight Loss and Favorably Alter Biomarkers in Healthy Adults," Johnston, Tjonn and Swan, Journal of Nutrition, 2004