The pharmacological effects of soy isoflavones are mainly reflected in the following aspects:
1. Prevention of cardiovascular disease
The mechanism of action of soy isoflavones in cardiovascular disease is diversified, including antioxidant effects, receptor regulation, inhibition of vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, anti-thrombogenic effects. Epidemiological investigations have found that long-term intake of soybean products can delay the onset of atherosclerosis, reduce total blood cholesterol concentration, reduce the incidence of heart disease.
2. The prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in women
Soy isoflavones have estrogenic effects without the side effects of estrogen. For people with low estrogen levels, soy isoflavones show weak estrogenic effects, binding with estrogen receptors in osteoblasts, strengthening the activity of osteoblasts, promoting the production of bone matrix, secretion and the process of bone mineralization, and preventing the occurrence of osteoporosis.
3. Regulation of blood sugar
Soy isoflavones can inhibit the absorption of sugar in the small intestine, better adjust the balance of sugar metabolism in the body, and help prevent diabetes and other metabolic diseases.
4. Other effects
Regulation of estrogen levels: soy isoflavones have a two-way regulation of human estrogen. When the human body estrogen is insufficient, soy isoflavones can play the role of supplemental estrogen; and when the human body estrogen level is high, soy isoflavones can be combined with estrogen receptors to reduce the body’s high estrogen level. This two-way regulation helps to maintain the balance of hormone levels in the body, thus preventing some diseases related to hormone imbalance.
Improve menstrual irregularities: Some women with menstrual irregularities have abnormal estrogen secretion in their bodies, and supplementation with soy isoflavones can regulate the internal environment, thus improving the symptoms of menstrual irregularities.
Antioxidant and anti-aging: Soy isoflavones can inhibit the generation of hydrogen peroxide and oxygen free radicals, reduce the damage to lipids, proteins and DNA, and play a certain antioxidant and anti-aging effects.
Relieve menopausal symptoms: Studies have shown that supplementing menopausal women with phytoestrogens such as soy isoflavones can reduce or even avoid menopausal syndrome.
Menopausal women are prone to palpitations, night sweats, hot flashes, insomnia, anxiety and other discomforts due to the decline in ovarian function and fluctuations in estrogen levels, and moderate supplementation of soy isoflavones can improve menopausal symptoms and enhance the quality of life.