Six months of isoflavone supplement increases fat-free mass in obese–sarcopenic postmenopausal women: a randomized double-blind controlled trial

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to verify if six months of isoflavone supplementation could increase fat-free mass (FFM) and muscle mass index (MMI ¼ appendicular FFM/height 2 ) in obese-sarcopenic postmenopausal women. Design: Double-blind randomized study. Subject: Eighteen sarcopenic-obese women completed the study (12 on isoflavones and six on placebo). Body composition was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Subjects ingested 70 mg of isoflavones per day (44 mg of diadzein, 16 mg glycitein and 10 mg genestein) or a placebo for 24 weeks. Results: The isoflavone group increased significantly appendicular (P ¼ 0.034), leg (P ¼ 0.016) FFM and MMI (P ¼ 0.037), but not the placebo group. Conclusion: Six months of isoflavone supplementation increased FFM and MMI in obese-sarcopenic postmenopausal women.

Appetitive hormones, but not isoflavone tablets, influence overall and central adiposity in healthy postmenopausal women

“…Several studies have reported that soy isoflavones either from dietary sources or supplements exerted significant, favorable effects on lean mass,6 whole body fat mass,8 regional fat,15–16 or BMI 16. In contrast, our study showed no effect of isoflavone tablets on overall or regional body composition in healthy postmenopausal women.…”

“…Perimenopausal women who consumed isoflavone-rich (80 mg/day) soy protein for six months had slightly but significantly lower thigh fat mass and greater hip lean mass compared with women who consumed either isoflavone-poor soy protein or whey protein (control) powder 5. Obese sarcopenic postmenopausal women (n=18) who consumed isoflavone supplements (70 mg/day) for six months experienced a significant increase in appendicular leg fat-free mass (FFM) and muscle mass index (appendicular FFM/height2) compared with the placebo group (n=6) 6. Nine postmenopausal women who consumed a soy protein shake with 160 mg isoflavones for three months showed smaller increases in total and subcutaneous abdominal fat compared with the isocaloric casein control group (n=6), although visceral fat, total body fat, or lean mass did not differ between groups 7.…”

Legumes and soy products consumption and functional disability in older women

“…Moeller et al [15] reported lean tissue mass at the hip increased to a greater degree in the isoflavone-rich group in postmenopausal women. Aubertin-Leheudre et al [16] found isoflavones supplementation resulted in a small increase in fat-free mass. However, whether soy and isoflavone intake would translate into better physical performance is still controversial [19,20].…”

“…Accumulating evidence suggests beneficial influence of soy isoflavones on metabolic and gynecologic conditions in women [12][13][14]. Recent studies in postmenopausal women, further, indicate protective effects of isoflavones on lean tissue [15] and fat-free mass [16].…”

ISSN exercise & sport nutrition review: research & recommendations

“…These claims have been based on research described in patents filed in Hungary in the early 1970s [159,160]. Aubertin-Leheudre M, et al [161] investigated the effects that isoflavone supplementation would have on fat-free mass in obese, sarcopenic postmenopausal women. Eighteen sarcopenic-obese women ingested 70 mg of isoflavones per day (44 mg of daidzein, 16 mg glycitein and 10 mg genistein) or a placebo for six months.…”