Soy Isoflavones

During the past several years nutritionists have begun to appreciate the many biologically active, nonnutrive components of plant foods. often referred to as phytochemicals. Phytochemicals are produced by plants for their own defense, but evidence increasingly suggests that phytochemicals possess many biological properties that can impact many biochemical and physiological processes.

Of all the phytochemicals that exist in the foods we eat, perhaps none has received as much attention as a group of phytochemicals found almost exclusively in soybeans: isoflavones. Isoflavones are now being studied in laboratories throughout the world and during just the past three years alone, more than 1,000 medical and scientific papers have been published on isoflavones.

There are three primary isoflavones in soybeans: genistein, daidzain, and glycitein. In various experimental models, isoflavones have exhibited properties that suggest they may help to lower the risk of cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis, and for the relief of menopause symptoms such as hot flashes.

Interest in the isoflavones dates back to the early 1950's when it was first shown that isoflavones are weak estrogens or phytoestrogens (plant estrogens) That is isoflavones posses estrogenic activity. This is not surprising given the chemical structure of the isoflavones is similar to that of the female sex hormone estrogen.

Isoflavones and Cancer

As early as the 1960's scientists suggested that the isoflavones may be able to reduce the risk of breast cancer because they are weak estrogens. Why might isoflavones reduce breast cancer risk when high blood levels of estrogen increase risk? The answer is that weak estrogens in certain situations can actually function as anti-estrogens. That is they can block the effects of estrogen, thereby theoretically decreasing breast cancer risk. There are as many as 5 different mechanisms by which the isoflavones may exert anti-estrogenic effects. Some research suggests that one factor contributing to the low Japanese breast cancer mortality rate is soyfood consumption.

In addition to breast cancer, soybean isoflavones may help reduce the risk of several types of cancer, including lung, colon and rectal cancer. One cancer that is receiving a lot of attention in relation to isoflavones is prostate cancer. The Japanese prostate cancer mortality rate is very low compared to Western countries. Some research suggests that one factor contributing to the low Japanese prostate cancer mortality rate is soyfood consumption. Isoflavones have been shown in animal models to slow the growth of and to delay the development of pre-cancerous prostate lesions and prostate tumors.

Research using cells indicates that the soybean isoflavone genistein inhibits the growth of blood vessels. Tumors need to stimulate the growth off blood vessels to receive oxygen and nutrients. Without these new blood vessels tumors can't grow. Recent preliminary data suggest that soy may inhibit the growth of blood vessels in humans. Thus, isoflavones may actually be useful in the treatment of existing tumors.

About our Soy Isoflavones

Our Soy Isoflavones is manufactured from SoyLife brand of premium soy isoflavone extract. Soylife is manufactured in Europe under strict European quality control standards without the use of harsh chemicals. It is meticulously extracted to provide standardized levels of naturally occuring isoflavones including genistein, genistin, daldzin, daldzein, glycitin, and glycitein.