Effects of soy on metabolic biomarkers of cardiovascular disease in elderly women with the metabolic syndrome

ABSTRACT

To ascertain the effects of soy [in the forms of Textured Soy Protein [TSP] and soy-nut] on lipid profiles, apolipoproteins, inflammatory and prothrombotic markers and blood pressure in elderly women with the metabolic syndrome. The study is a 12-week parallel randomized controlled trial that was conducted in rural health centres of Babol, Iran. The participants were 75 women 60-70 years old with the metabolic syndrome who were randomized to one of the three groups of soy-nut [35g/d], TSP [35g/d] and control. Blood pressure and blood biochemical markers were measured at baseline and at the end of the study including, triglyceride, cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, VLDL-C, ApoB100, ApoAI, CRP and fibrinogen. The soy-nut improved significantly LDL-C, VLDL-C and Apo B100 [P<0.05] while fewer improvements but significant were observed in these variables in the TSP group only when compared with the mean changes from the baseline [P<0.001]. Similar result was found for Apo AI in the treatment groups [P<0.01]. Serum total cholesterol decreased significantly in the treatment groups compared with control group [P<0.005]. The differences from control for triglyceride, HDL-C, fibrinogen, CRP and blood pressure were not significant. Both forms of soy while improved lipids profiles the soy-nut contribution was more to this improvement than the TSP. Therefore, moderate daily intake of soy may be a safe, cheap and practical method to improve cardiovascular disease risk and also reduce the need for medical treatment