Supplementation with soy isoflavones could improve blood vessel
endothelial cell function and reduce cardiovascular disease risk
factors, according a new meta-analysis study.
The research, published in the journal Nutrition, Metabolism and
Cardiovascular Diseases, analyzed 17 studies on the effect of
isoflavones on endothelial function, finding a small but valuable
benefit from isoflavone supplementation.
Soy foods have been shown to reduce cholesterol levels, with recent evidence suggesting that isoflavones could reduce other cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, such as blood pressure and endothelial function.
Endothelial dysfunction signifies the early stages of heart disease and
is s a predictive marker for long-term CVD and mortality.
Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of brachial artery is used as an assessment
tool for endothelial function. Impaired FMD response is a CVD risk
factor and can precede clinically symptomatic CVD by many years.
Seven of the 17 studies reported statistically significant changes in endothelial function as measured by FMD.
The meta-analysis found the overall change in FMD for isoflavone-containing soy product interventions to be 1.15 percent.
When the effects of separate interventions were considered, treatment
effects for isolated isoflavones were 1.98 percent compared with 0.72
percent for isoflavone-containing soy protein.
The significant improvement in FMD observed in response to isolated
isoflavone exposure is within the range deemed clinically relevant, “thereby indicating that exposure to isoflavone supplements may beneficially influence vascular health,” added the authors.
Researchers stated the key mechanism behind endothelial dysfunction
involves the impaired release of nitric oxide (NO), causing blood
vessels to constrict. Increased availability of isoflavone is suggested
to increase NO production.
Though the meta-analysis finds a significant increase in endothelial
function from supplementation with isoflavones, the researchers believe
their results “warrant confirmation from a large, prospective, RCT.”
Category: Productos
Source: Nutraingredients
