5 replies to this topic

[Lufega]

Effects of isoflavones on the skin of postmenopausal women: a pilot study.
Accorsi-Neto A, Haidar M, Simões R, Simões M, Soares-Jr J, Baracat E.

Gynecology Department, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.


Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of isoflavones on the skin of postmenopausal women.

DESIGN: A prospective study was performed with 30 postmenopausal women before and immediately after the end of treatment with 100 mg/day of an isoflavones-rich, concentrated soy extract for six months. A skin punch was performed in the gluteal region for sample collection before and immediately after the treatment program. Morphometric determination of epidermal thickness, the papillary index (wrinkling), and the amount of dermal elastic and collagen fibers was assessed. In addition, the number of blood vessels in the sample was also evaluated. The paired Student's t-test was used for statistical analysis (P < 0.05).

RESULTS: Isoflavone treatment resulted in a 9.46% increase in the thickness of the epidermis in 23 patients. In addition, the papillary index was reduced in 21 women. The papillary index was inversely proportional to skin wrinkling, i.e., there were a large number of papillae after treatment. The amount of collagen in the dermis was increased in 25 women (86.2%). In 22 women (75.8%) we observed that the number of elastic fibers increased. The number of dermal blood vessels was significantly increased in 21 women.

CONCLUSION: Our data show that the use of a concentrated, isoflavone-rich soy extract during six consecutive months caused significant increases in epithelial thickness, the number of elastic and collagen fibers, as well as the blood vessels.

Full Study here: http://www.ncbi.nlm....cln64_6p505.pdf

Might this work on men too without serious side effects ?

[JLL]

Thanks for posting this. Yes, I would think it works for men too, given that skin/hair benefits have been documented earlier in men:

Soy Isoflavones Grow Hair by Increasing IGF-1 in the Skin

Capsaicin and Soy Isoflavones Promote Hair Growth

But note that soy isoflavones have an effect on hormone levels:

Soy Isoflavones Reduce DHT, Increase Testosterone

[TheFountain]

Thanks for posting this. Yes, I would think it works for men too, given that skin/hair benefits have been documented earlier in men:

Soy Isoflavones Grow Hair by Increasing IGF-1 in the Skin

Capsaicin and Soy Isoflavones Promote Hair Growth

But note that soy isoflavones have an effect on hormone levels:

Soy Isoflavones Reduce DHT, Increase Testosterone

Yes this is a hormonal effect that you would want though. Increased testosterone with the benefit of getting rid of the cause of hair loss and possible bone growth is definitely a plus.

Edited by TheFountain, 06 December 2010 - 12:02 AM.

[JohnD60]

As someone that was on Finasteride (for hair loss) for three years, I would assert that reducing DHT levels is not necessarily a good thing. DHT is the most powerful male hormone, roughly five times as strong as Testosterone. Many men report (see hairloss.com) symptoms of male hormone deficiency while their DHT levels are stunted by Finasteride.

[TheFountain]

As someone that was on Finasteride (for hair loss) for three years, I would assert that reducing DHT levels is not necessarily a good thing. DHT is the most powerful male hormone, roughly five times as strong as Testosterone. Many men report (see hairloss.com) symptoms of male hormone deficiency while their DHT levels are stunted by Finasteride.

I don't think that's the cause. Finasteride has been shown to sometimes raise estrogen and prolactin levels in men and this can be the indirect route to testosterone reduction.

[vader]

Anecdotally, drinking soy milk made my skin literally glow after a few weeks / months. I was vegan back then too.

 

Unfortunately, I can't handle the FODMAPS in it. Maybe isolated soy isoflavones would be a better bet, who knows.