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soy bean (Tofu, Tempe)

The bean of the climbing herb Glycine soja. Same family as peanut.* About 10% of people allergic to peanuts are also allergic to soy. Contains: 1) rich in protein 2) little carbohydrate 3) lipids omega-6:omega-3 ratio is about 7:1 4) isoflavones* 5) phytoestrogens Pharmacology: Indications: 1) cardiovascular risk reduction a) FDA may revoke claim based on inconsistent effects on lowering of LDL cholesterol [10] b) may improve systolic & diastolic blood pressure in patients with hypertension* [4,6] (benefit < 15 mm Hg), effect on blood pressure controversial [5] 2) may be helpful for weight reduction [5] 3) fermented soy but not total soy associated with increased longevity (up to 10%) [11] * reviewer suggests protein per se vs carbohydrate rather than soy may account for findings Contraindications: 1) NOT effective for hot flashes in women with breast cancer [2] 2) may improve lipid profile is men & premenopausal women, but not postmenopausal women [3] 3) may NOT improve bone density in women > 60 year of age [3] 4) does NOT seem do improve cognitive function or delay onset of dementia in older women [3] 5) tofu may be associated with worse memory in elderly men & women, but tempe may have the opposite effect [7] 6) does not lower LDL significantly (3%) [5] Adverse effects: - may stimulate breast cancer growth [3] - hypogonadism with erectile dysfunction associated with low serum testosterone & low free testosterone (case report in a 19 year old man with type 1 diabetes) [8] - 2017 multi-state outbreak of E coli O157:H7 associated with soy nut butter [9] * also see isoflavones Drug interactions: - may inhibit effectiveness of tamoxifen Test interactions: - may inhibit thyroid hormone production & increase serum TSH

Related

Glycine soja (hispida) soy infant formula soy protein isolate

General

food bean

References

  1. Prescriber's Letter 9(5):28 2002
  2. Prescriber's Letter 9(6):34 2002
  3. Prescriber's Letter 11(9): 2004 Soy for Preventing Aging Effects in Older Women Detail-Document#: 200914 (subscription needed) http://www.prescribersletter.com - Kreijkamp-Kaspers S et al Effect of soy protein containing isoflavones on cognitive function, bone mineral density, and plasma lipids in postmenopausal women: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA 2004;292:65-74. PMID: 15238592 - Henderson VW et al. Long-term soy isoflavone supplementation and cognition in women: A randomized, controlled trial. Neurology 2012 Jun 5; 78:1841. PMID: 22665144
  4. Journal Watch 25(17):136, 2005 He J, Gu D, Wu X, Chen J, Duan X, Chen J, Whelton PK. Effect of soybean protein on blood pressure: a randomized, controlled trial. Ann Intern Med. 2005 Jul 5;143(1):1-9. Summary for patients in: Ann Intern Med. 2005 Jul 5;143(1):I11. PMID: 15998749 - Cutler JA, Obarzanek E. Nutrition and blood pressure: is protein one link? Toward a strategy of hypertension prevention. Ann Intern Med. 2005 Jul 5;143(1):74-5. No abstract available. PMID: 15998756
  5. Prescriber's Letter 13(3): 2006 Soy and Cardiovascular Health Insulin For Oral Inhalation (Exubera) Detail-Document#: 220306 (subscription needed) http://www.prescribersletter.com
  6. Welty FK, Effect of soy nuts on blood pressure and lipid levels in hypertensive, prehypertensive, and normotensive postmenopausal women. Arch Intern Med 2007, 167:1060
  7. Hogervorst E et al, High tofu intake is associated with worse memory in elderly Indonesian men and women. Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord. 2008;26(1):50-7. Epub 2008 Jun 27. PMID: 18583909
  8. Siepmann T et al Hypogonadism and erectile dysfunction associated with soy product consumption. Nutrition. 2011 Jul-Aug;27(7-8):859-62. Epub 2011 Feb 25 PMID: 21353476
  9. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Multistate Outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 Infections Linked to I.M. Healthy Brand SoyNut Butter. Posted March 7, 2017 https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2017/o157h7-03-17/index.html - FDA Safety Alert. March 7, 2017 The Soynut Butter Co Expands Recall to All I.M. Healthy Soynut Butters And I.M. Healthy Granola Because of Possible Health Risk. https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm545368.htm
  10. FDA Statement. Oct 30, 2017 Statement from Susan Mayne, Ph.D., on proposal to revoke health claim that soy protein reduces risk of heart disease. https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm582744.htm
  11. Katagiri R et al. Association of soy and fermented soy product intake with total and cause specific mortality: Prospective cohort study. BMJ 2020 Jan 29; 368:m34 PMID: 31996350 https://www.bmj.com/content/368/bmj.m34

Components

soy oil