Isoflavones

Phytochemical

Natural phytoestrogens in soy; highest intake associated with lower risk of premature death

Food Sources

Foods that contain Isoflavones.

Soybeans
Source: How Not to Age
Soy
Source: How Not to Age
Soy Foods
Soybeans naturally contain isoflavones, a class of phytoestrogens that act as selective estrogen receptor modulators.
Source: How Not to Die

Health conditions that Isoflavones may influence, based on research.

Heart disease
Highest intake of isoflavones associated with lower risk of premature death from cancer and cardiovascular diseases
Source: How Not to Age
Breast cancer
Koch 2010: high isoflavone intake delays puberty onset and may reduce breast cancer risk
Source: How Not to Age
Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms
Wong 2007: isoflavone intake associated with lower urinary tract symptoms in elderly men
Source: How Not to Age

Hot Flashes~2 servings of soy foods daily
~2 servings of soy foods daily reduces hot flash frequency by 20% more than placebo and severity by 25% more
Source: How Not to Age
Vaginal Dryness
Source: How Not to Age
Sarcopenia
Soy isoflavones alone boosted fat-free limb mass in RCT at dose equivalent to 3/4 cup tempeh, 2/3 cup boiled soybeans, or 1/2 cup soy nuts; may suppress mTOR
Source: How Not to Age
Bone Mineral Density
Systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs on isoflavone interventions on bone mineral density in postmenopausal women
Source: How Not to Age
Menopause symptoms
Meta-analysis (Taku 2012) showing soy isoflavones reduce hot flash frequency and severity; consensus statement recommends as first-line treatment
Source: How Not to Age
Cognitive decline
Systematic review and meta-analysis found soy isoflavones may improve cognitive function
Source: How Not to Age

Osteoporosis
Isoflavones act as selective estrogen receptor modulators; genistein's agonist activity for beta-type estrogen receptor may mediate bone health benefits
Source: How Not to Age
Breast cancer
The isoflavones in soy appear to help turn BRCA protection back on, removing the methyl straitjacket the tumor tried to place on it. 90 percent of breast cancer patients who ate the most soy phytoestrogens after diagnosis were still alive five years later.
Source: How Not to Die

How Isoflavones works at a cellular level.

PromotesBinds Estrogen Receptors
Isoflavones act as phytoestrogens by binding estrogen receptors
PromotesBoosts immune function
Soy isoflavones modulate immune function in healthy postmenopausal women