Genistein and Daidzen, Isoflavones, 1000 mg
Source Naturals
Genistein, an isoflavone phytonutrient derived from soybeans, has been the focus of scientific research since 1966. Studies have shown that genistein can bind to the same receptor sites as estrogen. Soybeans are the only significant dietary source of genistein; however, the amount of soy foods necessary to meet the body's needs can be difficult to incorporate into today's diet. In Asia, where soy is a staple, the daily intake can be up to 20 times that of a Western diet. Source Naturals Genistein is made from isoflavone-rich soybean powder that yields a consistent standardized isoflavone content. This unique chemical-free process requires approximately 400 pounds of soybeans to yield just one pound of finished product.

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Genistein benefit
In spite of an extensive literature on the effects of dietary genistein, questions still exist as to its potential overall benefits as a component of the human diet. Genistein is synthesized in plants from the flavanone naringenin by a novel ring migration reaction catalyzed by the cytochrome P450 enzyme isoflavone synthase (IFS). IFS genes have recently been cloned from a number of plant species, and production of genistein can be now achieved in non-legumes by recombinant DNA approaches.

Genistein and blood pressure
Chronic soy milk consumption has modest, but significant hypotensive action in those with hypertension. This hypotensive action was correlated with the urinary excretion of the isoflavone genistein.

Genistein and hot flashes
Genistein and other flavonoids do not appear to have a significant effect in reducing the severity of hot flashes, at least not as much as estrogen.

Benefit of genistein supplement for heart health
Effects of the phytoestrogen genistein on some predictors of cardiovascular risk in osteopenic, postmenopausal women: a two-year randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2007 Aug. Department of Internal Medicine, University of Messina, Italy.
Our objective was to assess the effects of phytoestrogen genistein administration (54 mg/d) on some predictors of cardiovascular risk in osteopenic, postmenopausal women. Participants were randomly assigned to receive genistein or placebo daily for 24 months. Both intervention and placebo contained calcium and vitamin D(3). Compared with placebo, genistein significantly reduced fasting glucose and insulin as well as homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance after both 12 and 24 months of treatment. By contrast, genistein administration did not affect blood lipid levels although fibrinogen, F2-isoprostanes, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1, and soluble vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 decreased significantly compared with placebo after 24 months. Serum osteoprotegerin was higher in the genistein group compared with placebo. At 24 months, the genistein group showed no change in endometrial thickness compared with placebo. These results suggest that 54 mg genistein plus calcium, vitamin D(3), and a healthy diet was associated with favorable effects on both glycemic control and some cardiovascular risk markers in a cohort of osteopenic, postmenopausal women.

Hormone replacement therapy and menopause
Recent studies indicate that long term replacement with Premarin (horse derived estrogens) and synthetic progesterone increases the risk for heart disease, cancer, blood clots and gallbladder disease. 
   The field of hormone or herbal therapy during or after menopause is very complicated and there is no consensus within the medical community regarding the best option for long term therapy. The medical community seems to be shifting its viewpoint on hormone replacement. It appears that most traditional doctors now prefer using low doses of hormones for a brief period of time to treat menopausal symptoms, but prefer not to continue hormone replacement therapy indefinitely as in the past. Therefore, it may be a reasonable approach to use low dose estrogens for a brief period during the most severe times of hot flashes, then use herbs and supplements for long term post-menopausal therapy.

Inulin and isoflavones
Inulin in the diet or taken as a supplement increases the plasma concentrations of the soybean isoflavones daidzein and genistein. It appears that the absorption of genistein and daidzein is facilitated by inulin.

Genistein study
The effects of phytoestrogen isoflavones on bone density in women: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
Atkinson C, Compston JE, Day NE, Dowsett M, Bingham SA.
MRC Biostatistics Unit, Institute of Public Health, Robinson Way, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Am J Clin Nutr. 2004 Feb;79(2):326-33.
Isoflavone phytoestrogen therapy has been proposed as a natural alternative to hormone replacement therapy (HRT). HRT has a beneficial effect on bone, but few trials in humans have investigated the effects of isoflavones on bone. The objective of the study was to determine the effect on bone density of a red clover-derived isoflavone supplement that provided a daily dose of 26 mg biochanin A, 16 mg formononetin, 1 mg genistein, and 0.5 mg daidzein for 1 y. Effects on biochemical markers of bone turnover and body composition were also studied. Women aged 49-65 y (n = 205) were enrolled in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial; 177 completed the trial. Bone density, body composition, bone turnover markers, and diet were measured at baseline and after 12 mo. Loss of lumbar spine bone mineral content and bone mineral density was significantly lower in the women taking the isoflavone supplement than in those taking the placebo. There were no significant treatment effects on hip bone mineral content or bone mineral density, markers of bone resorption, or body composition, but bone formation markers were significantly increased in the intervention group compared with placebo in postmenopausal women. Interactions between treatment group and menopausal status with respect to changes in other outcomes were not significant. These data suggest that, through attenuation of bone loss, isoflavones have a potentially protective effect on the lumbar spine in women.

Genistein supplement questions
Q. Excellent web site! Can you tell me if genistein supplement is contra indicated in people who have had a calcium oxalate kidney stone?
   A. We have not seen any such research and hence do not know for certain. However we can't think of any obvious reasons why genistein supplement would have any significant influence on kidney stones.

Q. I recently read a medical study which stated that taking 100 mg of genistein plus 100 mg of resveratrol supplement could lead to better weight loss and apoptosis of cancer cells (Journal of Nutrition, December 2007.) That seems like an excessive amount of genistein which is far more than the amount included with a genistein supplement product. Am I reading this amount wrong? Are you familiar with this genistein study?

Resveratrol Potentiates Genistein's Antiadipogenic and Proapoptotic Effects in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes
J. Nutr. 137:2668-2673, December 2007. Department of Animal and Dairy Science and 4 Department of Foods and Nutrition, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-2771
Genistein and resveratrol individually inhibit adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and induce apoptosis in cancer cells. We investigated whether the combination of Genistein and resveratrol resulted in enhanced effects on adipogenesis, lipolysis, and apoptosis in 3T3-L1 cells. Preadipocytes and mature adipocytes were treated with genistein and resveratrol individually at 50 and 100 µmol/L (G100; R100) and in combination. These results indicate that genistein and resveratrol in combination produce enhanced effects on inhibiting adipogenesis, inducing apoptosis, and promoting lipolysis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Thus, the combination of genistein and resveratrol is more potent in exerting antiobesity effects than the individual compounds.

   A. This was a study done in a lab on cells rather than a human study where people ingested 100 mg of genistein and resveratrol.

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