Iron indexes and total antioxidant status in response to soy protein intake in perimenopausal women.

Title
Iron indexes and total antioxidant status in response to soy protein intake in perimenopausal women.
Source
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 76, (1): 165-171, 2002.

Effects of soy protein isolate (SPI) intake and iron indexes on plasma total antioxidant status (TAS) were investigated in perimenopausal women.

Soy intake had no significant influence on any iron indexes during the 24-wk study period, but had a beneficial effect on TAS at week 12 in these perimenopausal women. In the short term (ie, after 12 wk), SPI (regardless of its isoflavone content) may enhance TAS, but in the long term (ie, 24 wk), low iron stores may protect against oxidative stress by improving TAS. However, in addition to iron status, other factors that we did not assess may play a role in determining TAS in perimenopausal women.

It is concluded that SPI intake has no significant effect on Fe status, however, results suggest that dietary soy protein and low Fe stores may protect perimenopausal women from oxidative stress.