Menopause Weight Gain May be Reduced with Soy Protein*

13 July 2010 by Aaron Tabor

Research has demonstrated that women gain weight as they age (sometimes referred to as the “midlife spread”) (Medical References 1, 2), and midlife menopause weight gain is a negative phenomenon that many women will experience. The Healthy Women’s Study reported menopause weight gain during the first three years of the study (Medical Reference 3). In addition to menopause weight gain, it has been reported that postmenopausal women gain more fat mass than premenopausal women (Medical Reference 4). These changes in menopause weight gain appear to be the result of reductions in metabolic rate and physical activity (Medical References 3-6).

Soy protein contains less fat and fewer calories than many other protein sources and research suggests that soy nutrition may help to fight menopause weight gain. One cross-sectional study (Medical Reference 7) reported that higher consumption of the soy isoflavone genistein (considered a soy phytonutrient)  was related to lower body weight, fat mass, and waist size. Similarly, it was reported that higher soy isoflavone intake was associated with a lower body mass index (BMI) (Medical Reference 8). This relationship between soy isoflavone consumption and body weight suggests beneficial effects of soy nutrition on menopause weight gain.

Recent clinical trials have also described the weight loss benefits of soy protein.* In one study (Medical Reference 9), subjects receiving high soy protein diets lost more weight and fat mass compared to subjects receiving lifestyle education only. Two other trials reported significant reductions in body weight, fat mass, and waist circumference with soy protein-based meal replacement plans (Medical References 10, 11). A review of structured weight loss programs (Medical Reference 12) suggested that the soy protein very low energy diets provided more weight loss than the meal replacement and energy restricted diets.

Soy nutrition is an excellent part of any weight loss program designed to reduce menopause weight gain for a number of reasons. Research suggests that soy protein helps you feel full (Medical Reference 13, 14). This helps reduce the urge to snack between meals and late at night. Additionally, soy products typically have a low glycemic index (Medical References 15, 16), which would lead to fewer blood sugar spikes and hunger cravings, benefits for women looking to stave off menopausal weight gain. Overall, studies on soy protein and soy foods for weight loss and dieting suggests that soy nutrition may be an effective way to reduce menopausal weight gain.

Start losing weight now with Dr. Tabor’s Revival® soy protein shakes, bars, snacks, and other delicious products.*

References

  1. Flegal KM, Carroll MD, Kuczmarski RJ, Johnson CL. Overweight and obesity in the United States: prevalence and trends, 1960-1994. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 1998; 22:39-47.
  2. A Handbook of Obesity in America. 2005 The Endocrine Society. URL: www.obesityinamerica.org.
  3. Wing RR, Matthews KA, Kuller LH, Meilahn EN, Plantinga PL. Weight gain at the time of menopause. Arch Intern Med 1991; 151:97-102.
  4. Poehlman ET, Toth MJ, Gardner AW. Changes in energy balance and body composition at menopause: a controlled longitudinal study. Ann Intern Med 1995; 123:673-675.
  5. Espeland MA, Stefanick ML, Kritz-Silverstein D, Fineberg SE, Waclawiw MA, James MK, Greendale GA. Effect of postmenopausal hormone therapy on body weight and waist and hip girths. Postmenopausal Estrogen-Progestin Interventions Study Investigators. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1997; 82:1549-56.
  6. Van Pelt RE, Jones PP, Davy KP, Desouza CA, Tanaka H, Davy BM, Seals DR. Regular exercise and the age-related decline in resting metabolic rate in women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1997; 82:3208-3212.
  7. Goodman-Gruen D, Kritz-Silverstein D. Usual dietary isoflavone intake and body composition in postmenopausal women. Menopause 2003; 10:427-432.
  8. Yamori Y. Worldwide epidemic of obesity: hope for Japanese diets. Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology 2004; 31:S2-S4.
  9. Deibert P, Konig D, Schmidt-Trucksaess A, Zaenker KS, Frey I, Landmann U, Berg A. Weight loss without losing muscle mass in pre-obese and obese subjects induced by a high-soy-protein diet. International Journal of Obesity 2004; 28:1349-1352.
  10. Allison DB, Gadbury G, Schwartz LG, Murugesan R, Kraker JL, Heshka S, Fontaine KR, Heymsfield SB. A novel soy-based meal replacement formula for weight loss among obese individuals: a randomized controlled clinical trial. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2003; 57:514-522.
  11. Fontaine KR, Yang D, Gadbury GL, Heshka S, Schwartz LG, Murugesan R, Kraker JL, Heo M, Heymsfield SB, Allison DB. Results of a soy-based meal replacement formula on weight, anthropometry, serum lipids & blood pressure during a 40-week clinical weight loss trial. BMC Nutrition Journal 2003; 2:14-20.
  12. Anderson JW, Luan J, Hoie LH. Structured weight-loss programs: meta-analysis of weight loss at 24 weeks and assessment of effects of intervention intensity. Adv Ther. 2004; 21:61-75
  13. Eisenstein J, Roberts SB, Dallal G, Saltzman E. High-protein weight-loss diets: are they safe and do they work? A review of the experimental and epidemiologic data. Nutr Rev 2002; 60:189-200
  14. Nishi T, Hara H, Tomita F. Soybean β-conglycinin peptone suppresses food intake and gastric emptying by increasing plasma cholecystokinin levels in rats. Journal of Nutrition 2003; 133:352-357
  15. Blair RM, Henley EC, Tabor A. Soy foods have low glycemic and insulin response indices in normal weight subjects. Nutrition Journal 2006; 5:35
  16. Foster-Powell K, Holt SHA, Brand-Miller JC. International table of glycemic index and glycemic load values: 2002. Am J Clin Nutr 2002; 76:5-56.

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*DISCLAIMER: Individual results vary. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Revival foods and dietary supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Typical hot flash reduction was nearly 40% in a 12-week study funded by Physicians Laboratories. Typical weight loss was 26 - 29 pounds for dieters in a 16 week study. Studies were funded in part or in whole by Physicians Laboratories. The information presented on this web site is not intended to take the place of your personal physician's advice. Discuss this information with your own physician or healthcare provider to determine what is right for you. Revival is not a substitute for prescription medication, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or any other medical treatment. Revival is not a substitute for the care of your own physician. The FDA states that 25g of soy protein a day, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce risk of heart disease. Each Revival protein shake and protein bar provides 20g of soy protein. All information is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. We can not and do not give you medical advice. You should seek prompt medical care for any specific health issues and consult your physician before starting a new fitness or nutrition regimen. The information contained in this online site and emails is presented in summary form only and intended to provide broad consumer understanding and knowledge. The information should not be considered complete and should not be used in place of a visit, call, consultation or advice of your physician or other healthcare provider. We do not recommend the self-management of health problems. Should you have any healthcare-related questions, please call or see your physician or other healthcare provider promptly. You should never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here.