What are the Benefits of Soy Supplements?

Soy supplements are made from soybeans, which contain high amounts of protein, amino acids, calcium, fiber, magnesium and omega-3 fatty acids. Soy has many health benefits.

Benefits

• Soy supplements can be beneficial for symptoms of menopause, prostate cancer, greater cognition and bone health.

Misconceptions

• Many people tout soy for its ability to lower cholesterol levels. But a 2005 study commissioned by the American Heart Association (AHA) determined soy has only modest effects on cholesterol levels, so it has stopped endorsing it for heart health.

Function

• The isoflavones in soy supplements can increase bone mineral density and delay or prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women who consume at least 40 mg daily.

Considerations

• A study published in Neurotoxicology and Teratology in 2002, determined that lifelong soy intake in female rats led to greater cognitive function, but the same intake in male rats seemed to impair cognition.

History

• Soybeans have been cultivated in Asia for thousands of years and was integrated into Western culture in the late 1800s, when farmers started growing the crops for their animals to eat.