Soy compound Equol holds potential to prevent metabolic syndrome in women: Study

Japan: The production of equol, an active metabolite of soy isoflavone, is tied to a lower prevalence of metabolic syndrome (METS) in postmenopausal women, researchers claim in a study published in the journal Menopause. 

Epidemiologic studies have reported that soy intake has an important role in the prevention of age-related health problems. Daidzein is the principal isoflavone contained in soy that is converted to S-equol by the intestinal bacteria. However, not all individuals can produce S-equol, which is considered the most biologically active metabolite.

Equol being a phytoestrogen holds potential for the prevention of metabolic disorders such as hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, and obesity. To test the same, Atsushi Takahashi, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima City, Fukushima, Japan, and colleagues conducted a cross-sectional study with the objective to determine the association between equol production and METS in women aged 50 to 69 years. 

The study included 1,345 postmenopausal women who underwent health checkups from February 2018 to November 2021 at four health centers in Fukushima, Japan. Those with urinary equol concentration of 1.0 μM or more were defined as equol producers. METS was defined on the basis of Japanese diagnostic criteria including atherogenic dyslipidemia, abdominal obesity, glucose intolerance, and elevated blood pressure. The association between equol production and METS was determined using logistic regression analysis, with adjustments for age, physical activity, exercise, and fast walking.