Soy and Soy Extract have been shown to induce phase I detoxification enzymes such as Quinone reductase,
Glutathione-S transferase and uridine-S-diphosphate glucuronodyl transferase. These enzymes function to
detoxify and destroy electrophilic (free radicals) metabolites, formed during phase I detoxification activity. This
function may also explain some of Soy’s anti-cancer ef ects.3
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Supplementation Studies and Clinical Application
Clinical studies are underway to help determine the ideal Soy or Soy Extract intake level that may help prevent cancer,
cardiovascular disease, prostate enlargement, osteoporosis and to help manage menopausal symptoms. Societies
demonstrating the best health effects and the early intervention trials from human studies suggest that a Soy intake
yielding 50-100 mg per day of Soy isoflavones provides a level of intake associated with the above mentioned benefits
according to recent reviews.1,11
Dosage and Standardized Grade
Soy or Soy Extract intake yielding 50 - 100 mg of isoflavones per day support the following applications:
General health support
Menopausal symptom management
Bone density support
Cholesterol and triglyceride lowering and cardiovascular system support
Enhancement of phase II detoxification and liver support 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 10
Adverse Side Effects, Toxicity and Contraindications
Soy products and cooked soybeans are safe at a wide range of intakes. A small percentage of people have allergies
to soybeans and thus should avoid Soy products.
Drug-Nutrient Interactions
Simultaneous intake of Soy or Soy Extract with estrogen replacement, the birth control pill (oral contraceptives) or
thyroid hormone may decrease the absorption of these drugs. It is best not to take these drugs at the same time as
Soy foods or Soy Extract supplements. Due to the coumarin content of Soy it may potentiate the effects of warfarin,12
however, no reports of bleeding disorders have been documented in patients using Soy products and anti-coagulants,
concurrently.
Estrogen–containing drugs and Tamoxifen: There is uncertainty at this time as to the interaction of soy phytoestrogens
with oral contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy, and the use of the drug tamoxifen, which is used to help
prevent a recurrence of cancer in women who previously had estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer. To date, no
human studies have revealed a negative interaction in this regard. Although some researchers caution against
combining these interventions, there is evidence to support the intake of soy and possibly other phytoestrogens in
these cases. Isoflavones are a form of “selective estrogen receptor modulator (modifier), which preferentially activate
the beta estrogen receptor on reproductive and other tissues, while having little affinity for alpha estrogen receptors on
these tissues (this is similar to the effect of Tamoxifen, which is used to help prevent recurrence of estrogen receptor-
positive breast cancer). Over-stimulation of alpha receptors from estradiol and estrone (two of the body’s natural
estrogens that are found in estrogen-containing drugs) tends to result in more rapid cell division and increased risk of
breast cancer. Due to their greater af inity for beta receptors, isoflavones tend to slow the proliferation rate of breast
cells, and breast cancer cells, in the presence of the body’s own estrogens. As such, isoflavones demonstrate, in
experimental and animal models, features suggesting a potential to prevent breast cancer and other reproductive
cancers, and may also be useful in containing or controlling existing cancers in certain cases. Intensive investigation
is underway at this time to determine if this latter application is valid. Until this is clearly established, women should
not take soy isoflavone supplements of any kind to help treat existing reproductive cancer or to help block recurrence
of a reproductive cancer, without the consent of her attending physician. 13,14,15
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Pregnancy and Lactation
During pregnancy and lactation, the only supplements that are considered safe include standard prenatal
vitamin and mineral supplements. All other supplements or dose alterations may pose a threat to the
developing fetus and there is generally insuf icient evidence at this time to determine an absolute level of
safety for most dietary supplements other than a prenatal supplement. Any supplementation practices
beyond a prenatal supplement should involve the cooperation of the at ending physician (e.g., magnesium
and the treatment of preeclampsia.)
References: Pregnancy and Lactation
1. Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements. Murray M. Prima Publishing 1998.
2. Reavley NM. The New Encyclopedia of Vitamins, Minerals, Supplements, and Herbs. Evans and
Company Inc. 1998.
3. The Healing Power of Herbs (2nd edition). Murray M. Prima Publishing 1995.
4. Boon H and Smith M. Health Care Professional Training Program in Complementary Medicine.
Institute of Applied Complementary Medicine Inc. 1997.
1. Messina M. Legumes and soybeans: an overview of their nutritional profiles and health effects. Am J Clin Nutr 1999;70(suppl):439-450.
2. Anderson JW et al. Cardiovascular and renal benefits of dry bean and soybean intake. Am J Clin Nutr 1999;70(suppl):464-474.
3. Appelt LC. Soy feeding induces Phase II enzymes in rat tissue. Nutr Cancer,1997;28,3:270-275
4. Wei H et al. Antioxidant and antipromotional effects of the soybean isoflavone genistein. Proc Soc Exp Med 1995;208:124-129.
5. Fotsis T et al. Genistein a dietary-derived inhibitor of in vitro angoigenesis. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 1993;90:2690-2694.
6. Murkeis AL et al. Dietary flour supplementation decreases post-menopausal hot flashes: Effect of soy and wheat. Maturitas
1995;21,3:189-195.
7. Albertazzi P et al. The effect of dietary soy supplementation on hot flashes. Obstet Gynecol 1998;91:6-11.
8. Cassidy A et al. Biological effects of a diet of soy protein rich isoflavones on the menstrual cycle of premenopausal women. Am J Clin
Nutr 1994;60:333-340.
9. Brandi M.L. New treatment strategies: Ipriflavone, strontium, Vitamin D metabolites and analogs. Am J Med 1993;95(suppl 5A):69-74.
10. Anderson JW et al. Meta-analysis of effects of soy protein intake on serum lipids in humans. N Engl J Med 1995;333:276-282.
11. Messina M. To recommend or not to recommend soy foods. J Am Diet Assoc. 1994;94,11:1253-1254.
12. Healthnotes online. Healthnotes online, Inc.2000.
13. Mills S and Bone K. Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy. Churchill Livingstone, Publisher (2000): 54-6;67-8.
14. Medical Post, Oct 3,2000: Isoflavones and Menopause.
15. Dornstauder E, Jisa E, Unterrieder I, Krenn L, Kubelka W, Jungbauer A. Estrogenic activity of two standardized red clover extracts
(Menoflavon) intended for large scale use in hormone replacement therapy. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2001 Jul; 78(1): 67-75
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Taurine
General Features
Taurine is a non-essential, sulfur–containing amino acid. In the body it can be synthesized from the sulfur-containing
amino acids methionine and cysteine. However, some dietary taurine appears to be important to ensure adequate
taurine status as retarded growth and degeneration of the retina of the eye have been shown in animals fed a taurine-
deficient diet.1 Very large quantities of taurine are found in the retina of many mammals (including humans), where it
helps to protect the photoreceptors in the retina of the eye from ultra-violet light-induced free radical damage. Studies
indicate that it may be important as a dietary supplement in cases of optic endemic neuritis and other conditions of the
retina.2 Besides the retina, taurine is concentrated in other organs that have high electrical activity such as the heart
and the brain. Premature infants, patients with cystic fibrosis and some otherwise normal individuals are unable to
synthesize suf icient amounts of taurine, making it an essential nutrient in these cases.1,5 Taurine is only found in foods
of animal origin and thus, a vegan vegetarian, with an inborn defect resulting in impaired taurine synthesis, may be at
higher risk in developing a taurine deficiency state.1,5
Clinical Application and Mechanism of Action