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# Soy protein helps men with diabetes mellitus
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/soy_protein_helps_men_with_diabetes_mellitus_1114161020/
- Published: 2016-11-14T11:19:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T16:06:13.000Z
- Description: In 200 UK men with type 2 diabetes and low testosterone, 15 g of soy protein daily for three months left testosterone unchanged whether or not it contained isoflavones. The isoflavone version raised TSH, lowered free T4, and reduced HbA1c, HOMA-IR, triglycerides and CRP.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Supplements, Nutrition, #vivvo-import

Monday Nov 14, 2016 (foodconsumer.org) -- Isoflavones in soy products are similar to estrogen in terms of their chemical structure. For that reason, soy protein may be considered unhealthy for men, particularly those with type 2 diabetes mellitus and low testosterone levels because of the presence of estrogenic isoflavones.

A new study in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism suggests such concern is unnecessary because it finds that moderate intake of soy protein, particularly soy protein with isoflavones does not affect the testosterone levels while promoting metabolic and cardiovascular health in men with diabetes mellitus.

The study conducted in UK involved 200 men with type 2 diabetes mellitus with a total testosterone level less than 12 nmol/L. Subjects took 15 grams of soy protein with 66 mg of isoflavones or without any isoflavones daily for three months.

As a results, soy protein with or without isoflavones does not affect either total testosterone or absolute free testosterone levels in the men with diabetes mellitus. Soy protein with isoflavones increases thyroid-stimulating hormone (HSH) and reduces free thyroxine (FT4), which means that the supplement improves thyroid function in the subjects. 

Low levels of HSH and high levels of FT4 indicate subclinical or clinical hypothyroidism, which can worsen the diabetic condition. For instance, diabetics with hypothyroidism may need more insulin for glycaemia control. The study results indicate soy protein with isoflavones may improve hypothyroidism and help diabetes mellitus.

Additionally, the supplementation with soy protein with isoflavones significantly reduces HbA1c and HOMA-IR and triglycerides, CRP and diastolic blood pressure, compared to supplementation with soy protein alone. The results hint that the supplement with both soy protein and isoflavones helps diabetes mellitus and reduces cardiovascular risk.

Both soy protein with and without isoflavones improve endothelial function even though the soy protein with isoflavones is more effective than soy protein without isoflavones.

The study concludes that supplementation with *soy protein with isoflavones* for more than three months helps men with diabetes mellitus and reduces their cardiovascular risk while it does not affect their testosterone levels. This supplement also improves the thyroidal function in the diabetics. 

[*Thozhukat Sathyapalan, Alan S. Rigby, Shalender Bhasin, Natalie J. Thatcher, Eric S. Kilpatrick, Stephen L. Atkin, Effect of Soy in Men With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Subclinical Hypogonadism – A Randomized Controlled Study, The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology &Metabolism, First Published Online: October 31, 2016*](http://press.endocrine.org/doi/abs/10.1210/jc.2016-2875?ref=foodconsumer.org#sthash.2VkY0rIC.dpuf)

Many studies have suggested that consumption of soy foods may reduce risk of diabetes mellitus. An [article ](https://dash.harvard.edu/bitstream/handle/1/25757889/DING-DISSERTATION-2016.pdf?sequence=1&ref=foodconsumer.org#page=132)released recently by researchers at Harvard University reports a link between eating soy foods and isoflavones, and moderately lower risk for diabetes mellitus in men and women who typically eat low to moderate amounts of soy foods. This study finds evidence suggesting that it may be [isoflavones ](http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/dietary-factors/phytochemicals/soy-isoflavones?ref=foodconsumer.org)in soy protein, but not soy protein per se or tofu or soy milk that render the protective effect against diabetes mellitus. (David Liu)