Soy shows promise for diabetics: a recent study finds that soy supplements prevent a serious diabetes complication - News and notes: natural medicine - Brief Article

Natural Health, Dec, 2002

TYPE 2 DIABETICS MAY HAVE A NEW weapon to ward off heart disease: soy supplements. Researchers at Hull University in Hull, England, believe the plant estrogens in soy lower the high insulin levels that put type 2 diabetics at high risk for heart disease.

They tested soy supplements on 32 postmenopausal type 2 diabetic women managing their disease through diet. For 12 weeks at a time the women ate either meals sprinkled with soy protein containing 132 mg of iso-flavones or meals sprinkled with a placebo. The soy powder lowered insulin levels; the placebo did not.

Type 2 diabetics who take medication may also benefit from using soy supplements, says lead researcher Vijay Jayagopal, now a fellow in endocrinology at Hull Royal Infirmary in Hull. However, he adds, before taking supplements all diabetics should consult their doctors first.