Soy and PMS

Posted Chantel M. contributed by science link Japan, gateway to Japan scientific and technical information

Part I
In a Study of "Effect of Soy Isoflavones on Premenstrual Syndrome " by ISHIWATA NAOKO (Atomijoshidaigakutandai) UESUGI SAYO (Tokyo Univ. Agriculture, Dep. Applied Biology and Chemistry, JPN) UEHARA MARIKO (Tokyo Univ. Agriculture, Dep. Applied Biology and Chemistry, JPN) in the Soy Protein Research of Two hundred forty-two young women aged 18-21 yrs, fifty six women with premenstrual symptoms were identified by questionnaire and participated in the randomized, double-blind, crossover intervention trial with IF and placebo for 8-menstrual cycles, researchers found that IF supplements may be an effective treatment for the reduction of physical symptoms of PMS. (author abst.)

Part II
In a Study of "Effect of Soy Isoflavones on Premenstrual Syndrome Part II" by ISHIWATA NAOKO (Atomijoshidaigakutandai) UESUGI SAYO (Tokyo Univ. Agriculture, Dep. Applied Biology and Chemistry, JPN) UEHARA MARIKO (Tokyo Univ. Agriculture, Dep. Applied Biology and Chemistry, JPN) in the Soy Protein Research of Fifty-four young women with premenstrual syndrome participated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled intervention trial. They were divided into two groups: Twenty-eight women took a 20mg/day isoflavone supplement (20mg/day IF group); 26 women took a 40mg/day isoflavone supplement (40mg/day IF group), researcher found that there was a trend toward a decrease in the estradiol/progesterone ratio among women with moderate to serious symptoms, and a decrease in prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) among women with serious symptoms. Independent of symptom severity, the serotonin tended to increase among individuals in the 40mg/day IF group. Prolactin tended to increase as symptom severity increased, and was significantly lower in the 40mg/day IF group compared to the placebo among those with severe symptoms. Sex-hormone binding globulin levels tended to increase among the 40mg/day IF group when symptoms were severe. Only twenty percent of subjects were equol producers, similar to the level observed among Westerners. (author abst.)

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