Soy foods or isoflavone supplements?

The number and range of soy foods and isoflavone supplements that are available is continually increasing. While isoflavone supplements offer a convenient way of increasing the isoflavone content of the diet, at this stage researchers recommend obtaining the benefits of soy and isoflavones from foods, rather than supplements.

This relates to the lack of effect observed on some markers of health when women have consumed only purified isoflavones. For example, purified isoflavones have not been found to lower elevated cholesterol levels (although other beneficial effects were observed on blood vessels) ¹ , ² . Foods and beverages made from soy beans and soy protein are recommended, as they provide a wider range of potentially beneficial nutrients and phytochemicals, in addition to soy protein and isoflavones ³ .