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Soy May Reduce Diabetes Risk
In Overweight Women
Soy-Based Ingredients, Again Recognized For Benefits
In Reducing Risk Of Diabetes, As Well As Supporting
Effective Weight Management and Helping Maintain
Women's Nutritional Healthcare...
Increased Intakes of Soy and its Isoflavones May Decrease
The Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in Overweight Women, Reports
A New Study from Japan.
The risk of type 2 diabetes was 40 to 50 per cent lower in
overweight women who consumed over 118 grams of soy a day,
compared to overweight women who consumed less than 43 grams
a day, according to a new study with 25,872 men and 33,919
women aged between 45and 75.
Similar associations were observed when the Japanese
researchers considered the isoflavones: daidzein and genistein,
according to findings published in the Journal of Nutrition.
"To our knowledge, ours in the first prospective study to examine
the association of isoflavone intakes with type 2 diabetes in an
apparently healthy population," wrote the researchers, led from
the International Medical Center of Japan.
"Furthermore, no previous study to our knowledge has assessed
the association between intake of these food factors and type 2
diabetes or glucose intolerance stratified by BMI," they added.
Study details:
The team of researchers used a 147-item food frequency
questionnaire to carefully assess dietary intakes of soy-based
products and isoflavone intakes. Over a five year follow-up period,
1,114 people developed diabetes.
While intakes of soy products and isoflavones were not associated
with a significant reduction in the risk of type-2 diabetes in men or
all women, the highest intakes of soy products were found to
significantly reduce the risk of diabetes in overweight women.
In addition, daidzein and genistein intakes of 22 and 36 milligrams
per day, respectively, were associated with a 10 per cent reduction
in the risk of diabetes in overweight women, added the researchers.
"The possible protective associations of soy and isoflavone intakes
among overweight women deserve further investigation," explained
the researchers.
They researchers theorize that the oetrogen-like effects of the
isoflavones may be behind the benefits, since oestrogen has
been reported to affect genes involved in insulin sensitivity and
glucose uptake. Beyond the oetrogen-like effects, they note that
isoflavones may inhibit the uptake of glucose in the gut, and also
improve energy metabolism.
A role for soy protein was also considered, with previous studies
reporting that protein may improve insulin resistance.
"The results of this large, well-conducted study suggest a
protective association among overweight women consuming soy.
This research further shows that soy has many associated health
benefits, including those related to weight management and
satiety" they added.
An estimated 19 million people are affected by diabetes in the
Europe, equal to four per cent of the total population. This figure |
is projected to increase to 26 million by 2030.
In the US, there are almost 24 million people with diabetes, equal
to 8 per cent of the population. The total costs are thought to be
as much as $174 billion, with $116 billion being direct costs from
medication, according to 2005-2007 American Diabetes
Association figures.
Source: Journal of Nutrition (Published online )
"Soy Product and Isoflavone Intakes Are Associated with a
Lower Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in Overweight Japanese Women"
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