Table 2 Subgroup analysis of the effects of isoflavones on serum total cholesterol. Isoflavones were shown to have significant benefits when given in the form of ISP or soy protein capsule. Regardless the forms of prescription, isoflavones decreased serum total cholesterol among normolipidemic but not hyperlipidemic subjects.

Form of intervention †:

   a.) isoflavones tablets

12 [8–10, 12, 13, 16–18, 20, 21]

   b.) ISP(+)

8 [14, 15, 22, 23]

   c.) soy protein capsule

1 [11]

   d.) soy biscuit

1 [7]

   e.) soy burger

1 [19]

   f.) Overall

21 [7–23]

Isoflavones mixture ‡:

   G&D&B&F

5 [12, 13, 17, 18]

   G&D

6 [9–11, 16, 19, 22]

   G

1 [21]

Isoflavones intake (mg per day):

   < 50

3 [8, 13, 17]

   51–100

12 [8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 17–23]

   101 – 150

4 [9, 11, 15, 23]

Design :

   parallel crossover

9 [8–14, 21]

a.) no washout

1 [22]

b.) washout mentioned

6 [15, 19, 20, 23]

Gender:

   male

2 [7, 22]

   female

17 [8–11, 13–18, 20, 21, 23]

Treatment length:

   2–10 weeks

14[7, 10, 12, 13, 15–17, 19, 20, 22, 23]

   11–20 weeks

3 [11, 14, 18]

   21–30 weeks

4 [8, 9, 21]

Menopausal status:

   pre-menopausal

3 [15, 18]

   peri-menopausal

1 [11]

   post-menopausal

13 [8–10, 13, 14, 16, 17, 20, 21, 23]

Subjects with:

   normolipidemia

8 [11, 12, 15, 18, 19, 21, 22]

   hyperlipidemia

3 [7, 9, 14]