Isoflavones and vascular protection.

The beneficial effects of estrogens on the vascular elasticity and the reduction of the cholesterol level are very important. This is the reason why arteriosclerosis appears in women mainly after the menopause when the estrogen level decreases.

Influence of isoflavones on cholesterol

Supplements containing isoflavones have been investigated for their role in cardiovascular risk reduction. Studies in animals and humans have shown that isoflavones can reduce total and Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, particularly in people with increased cholesterol levels. A trial involving 156 healthy men and women, intake of soya protein providing 62mg isoflavones was associated with a significant reduction in total and LDL cholesterol compared with isoflavone-free soya protein.The exact mechanism of the cholesterol lowering activity is not determined yet.

Influence of isoflavones on arteries

Isoflavones may play a greater role in improving vascular functions than in reducing cholesterol. Isoflavones can help in the preservation of the vascular elasticity because the estrogen beta-receptor are present in the walls of the arteries.
In particular the isoflavoon genistein stops the blood plates from attaching to the wall of the blood vesels. When arteries are damaged by atherosclerosis they usually form blood clots. These blood clots can cause a heart attack or a stroke. With the help of other antioxidants such as vitamin E and vitamin C, the free radicals are destroyed and the oxidation of LDL Cholesterol (bad cholesterol) is prevented. A study by Sanmugam Nagarajan et al (2006) showed that soy isoflavones reduce the risk of atherosclerosis. This study concluded that anti-atherosclerosis effect of soy isoflavones is the result of the inhibition of the interaction between monocytes and endothelial cells.

More literature about isoflavones and vascular protection

Soy protein and isoflavones: their effects on blood lipids and bone density in postmenopausal women. Am J Clin Nutr. 1998 Dec;68(6 Suppl):1375S-1379S

Isoflavones from red clover improve systemic arterial compliance but not plasma lipids in menopausal women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1999 Oct;84(10):3647

A biochanin-enriched isoflavone from red clover lowers LDL cholesterol in men. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2004 Mar;58(3):403-8

Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Soy Protein Intake on Serum Lipids. New England Journal of Medicine. 1995 Aug 3;333(5):276-82

Soy Protein Containing Isoflavones Reduces the Size of Atherosclerotic Plaques without Affecting Coronary Artery Reactivity in Adult Male Monkeys.. Journal of Nutrition, December 2005, 135:2852-2856

Soy isoflavones attenuate human monocyte adhesion to endothelial cell-specific CD54 by inhibiting monocyte CD11a. J Nutr. 2006 Sep;136(9):2384-90

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