Effects of isoflavones (soy phyto-estrogens) on serum lipids: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Nutrition Journal

Table 3 Effects of isoflavones on serum LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides levels. Isoflavones in the forms of tablets or isolated soy protein (ISP) did not show significant benefits over serum LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides levels. The results were not heterogeneous to combine.

Type of intervention*	No. of trials	No. of comparisons	No. of subjects	Treatment effect (mmol/L) †	Heterogeneity p-value
1.) Isoflavones tablets
LDL	9	11[8, 10, 12, 13, 16–18, 20, 21]	446	0.00 (-0.14, 0.15)	0.94
HDL	10	12[8–10, 12, 13, 16–18, 20, 21]	482	0.01 (-0.05, 0.06)	0.98
TG	9	12[8–10, 12, 13, 16, 17, 20, 21]	482	0.03 (-0.06, 0.12)	0.93
2.) ISP (+)
LDL	3	5 [14, 15, 23]	173	-0.06 (-0.16, 0.03)	0.84
HDL	3	5 [14, 15, 23]	173	-0.01 (-0.07, 0.05)	0.97
TG	3	5 [14, 15, 23]	173	0.02 (-0.05, 0.09)	1.00

* 'ISP (+)' = isoflavones containing isolated soy protein; 'LDL' = Low density lipoprotein cholesterol; 'HDL' = High density lipoprotein cholesterol; 'TG' = Triglycerides † 95% confidence interval in parenthesis

ISSN: 1475-2891