Abstract
Objective: To assess beneficial effects of a soy rich diet on the main biomarkers of cardiovascular
health in menopause, compared with the effects of the hormone replacement therapy
(HRT). Methods: 187 healthy asymptomatic postmenopausal women, aged 39–60, were recruited and randomized
into three groups: a soy rich diet group, a HRT group, and a control group. Lipid
profile, body mass index, blood pressure, endometrial thickness, uterine artery resistance
index (RI), were evaluated in all the participants at the baseline, after 6 months,
and at the end of the study. Results: After a 6-month intervention period, the lipid profile in the soy rich diet group
showed a favourable outcome, similar to that observed in the HRT group, but compliance
to the diet was low. Conclusion: Soy products may be used in the prevention of cardiovascular risk in postmenopausal
women because of their efficacy in contrasting the negative effects of menopause on
the cardiovascular system, but our findings should be confirmed; moreover, suitable
strategies to improve the compliance have to be considered.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
July 16,
2001
Received in revised form:
July 1,
2001
Received:
December 8,
2000
Identification
Copyright
© 2002 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
