Soy, But Not Isoflavones, Keeps the Heart Healthy
 (NY, Reuters Health, 12/29/03)

Dr. Janice D. Wagner of Wake Forest University, and colleagues produced artery-clogging conditions in 60 monkeys by removing their ovaries to simulate menopause and feeding them unhealthy food for 2 months. The researchers then divided the subjects into 3 groups for 20 weeks: one group consumed only soy for protein, another only milk protein, while the last had milk protein supplemented with 3 isoflavones (soy antioxidants)--genistein, daidzein and glycitein. The scientists found that the soy group had less LDL cholesterol in their arteries than the milk or isoflavone groups. These findings suggest that while whole soy can lower the risk of atherosclerosis (clogged arteries), consuming isolated isoflavones may not have the same anti-plaque benefit.