Soy Isoflavones Bear Influence in PCOS

ROME—Researchers from Università Cattolic a del Sacro Cuore, Rome, conducted a pilot study on the effects of the soy isoflavone genistein on the metabolic and hormonal disturbances of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) (Fertil Steril. 2007; Epub ahead of print).

Twelve obese, hyperinsulinemic and dyslipidemic women with PCOS received 36 mg/d of genistein for six months. With testing at baseline, three and six months, results showed phytoestrogen supplementation significantly improved total cholesterol levels, reduced low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and resulted in a decrease in LDL to high-density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio. Triglycerides showed a decrease; however no change was detected in very low LDL-cholesterol plasma levels. This result suggests the advantages of phytoestrogens in PCOS may be limited to the improvement of the lipidic assessment.