07.01.10
Nutraceutical: Soy
Indication: Weight loss in post-menopausal women
Source: Am J Obstet Gynecol, April, 30, 2010: [Epub ahead of print].
Research: Researchers wanted to determine the effect of daily soy supplementation on abdominal fat, glucose metabolism, and circulating inflammatory markers and adipokines in obese, postmenopausal Caucasian and African American women. In a double-blind controlled trial, 39 postmenopausal women were randomized to soy supplementation or to a casein placebo without isoflavones. In all, 33 completed the study and were analyzed. At baseline and at 3 months, glucose disposal and insulin secretion were measured using hyperglycemic clamps, body composition and body fat distribution were measured by computed tomographic scan and dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, and serum levels of C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, leptin and adiponectin were measured by immunoassay.
Results: Soy supplementation reduced total and subcutaneous abdominal fat and interleukin-6. However, there was no difference between groups for glucose metabolism, C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, leptin or adiponectin. Researchers said soy supplementation reduced abdominal fat in obese postmenopausal women. More specifically, Caucasians primarily lost subcutaneous and total abdominal fat, while African Americans primarily lost total body fat.