An update on soy.

The 5th International Symposium on the Role of Soy in Preventing and Treating Chronic Disease was held in September 2003. Close to 300 health care professionals and researchers from 20 different countries attended this conference. A full report on the conference can be found in the May 2004 issue of Journal of Nutrition. Interesting findings that were presented include:

* In older Chinese women, higher intakes of soy protein and isoflavones were associated with greater bone density.

* Supplements of isoflavones, calcium, and vitamin D resulted in an increase in bone mineral in Chinese women.

* When breast-feeding women consume soy, soy isoflavones appear in their breast milk and are absorbed by their infants. The significance of this is not known, although researchers speculate that early exposure to soy may protect against chronic disease in adulthood.

* An analysis of a number of studies on soy and hot flashes found that, overall, use of soy products reduced the frequency of hot flashes.

* Isoflavone supplements reduced the severity of headaches and other symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

* Soy protein may be useful in reducing risk of prostate cancer because it affects male hormone levels.

* Preliminary results suggest that soy isoflavones can improve brain functions, such as memory in older people.

Messina M, Erdman J Jr, Setchell KDR. 2004. Fifth International Symposium on the Role of Soy in Preventing and Treating Chronic Disease. J Nutr 134 (Suppl):1205S-1293S.