Saturday Dec 28, 2013 (foodconsumer.org) -- Daidzein supplementation may decrease the serum levels of triglycerides and uric acid in men and women with high cholesterol, particularly those with GA genotype, according to a new study in American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Mantian Mi from Research Center for Nutrition and Food Safety, Institute of Military Preventive Medicine and colleagues conducted the study and found men and women with high cholesterol or hypercholesterolemia who took daidzein daily for six months had significantly lower levels of triglycerides and uric acid.

Daidzein, an isoflavones, can be metabolized to equol in some individuals. Equol supplements are known to help prevent heart disease.

In this trial, 210 men and women with high cholesterol aged 40 to 65 years were randomized to receive placebo or 40 mg daidzein or 80 mg daidzein daily for six months.

Daidzein supplementation was found to decrease serum triglycerides and serum uric acid.     The reduction was greater in participants with the GA genotype, compared with those with GG genotype of ESR-beta RsaI.   Equol status did not affect the effect of daidzein.

Triglycerides are considered a risk for heart disease.

Daidzein is a phytoestrogen found in foods such as soybeans and soy foods like tofu and textured vegetable protein. (DL)