Soy protein in the management of hyperlipidemia

To review the effects of soy on blood lipids and to provide guidance on the clinical relevance of soy's health effects with respect to hyperlipidemia.

Clinical literature accessed through MEDLINE and EMBASE (1966-November 1999). Key search terms included soy, isoflavone, phytoestrogen, cholesterol, and blood lipids.

A review of studies evaluating the effects of soy protein on blood lipids was undertaken. Soy may be an alternative for patients seeking modest reductions in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (<10%).

Soy can improve blood lipid parameters in both normocholesterolemic and hypercholesterolemic subjects, although the use of soy alone may not allow patients with hyperlipidemia to achieve target lipid parameters, as indicated by the National Cholesterol Education Program. Further study is warranted for the use of soy in combination with traditional hyperlipidemic medications.