The Beauty of Soy for Healthy Skin Support*
27 July 2010 by Aaron Tabor
Aging, hormonal changes and lifestyle factors such as sun exposure, smoking, poor diet and stress can adversely affect the appearance of skin complexion, induce wrinkles and cause thinning hair and brittle nails. Wrinkles are a natural part of aging. The American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine reports that in order to help avoid these signs of aging, individuals over the age of 50 spend approximately $44 billion dollars annually to augment their looks and appear younger. In addition to smart protective steps, like using sunscreen and avoiding smoking, consuming protein and phytonutrient-rich foods such as soy can have a positive impact on the health of skin, hair and nails.
A growing amount of evidence suggests that what we eat can have a real effect on how our skin looks and feels. A recent study reports on the possible skin health benefits of dietary soy isoflavones for postmenopausal women [1]. In this study, a group of 29 postmenopausal women consumed 100 milligrams of an isoflavone-rich soy extract every day for 6 months. The study investigators collected skin samples at both the beginning and the end of the study to determine the effect of the soy isoflavones on the skin. The researchers reported that the consumption of soy isoflavones for six months could support a healthy skin appearance.
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