Untitled Document
Genistein is a compound found in soy products. It has been used reduce symptoms of menopause and to help control blood glucose. It has also been used to help lower chances of prostate and breast cancer. It can be taken by eating foods like soy beans and soy milk. Genistein can also be taken as a pill.
Dosage
30 to 60 milligrams once daily
What Research Shows
Likely Effective
- Breast cancer — likely to lower the risk of breast cancer in Asian women
- High blood pressure — likely to lower blood pressure in people with high blood pressure
- High cholesterol — likely to lower total and LDL (“bad”) cholesterol but not effect HDL (“good”) cholesterol or triglycerides
- Menopause — likely to help control blood glucose, raise HDL (“good”) cholesterol, reduce hot flashes, and improve cognitive function; may ease vaginal symptoms
- Osteoporosis — likely to increase bone mineral density in women
May Be Effective
- Diabetes — may lower the risk of type 2 diabetes
- Obesity — may reduce body mass index in women
- Prostate cancer — may reduce the risk
Safety Notes
It is likely safe to take genistein in small doses for a short time. Not enough studies have been done to say whether it is safe to use for a long period. It is also not known whether it is safe to take by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Interactions
Talk to your doctor about any supplements or therapy you would like to use. Some can interfere with treatment or make conditions worse, such as:
- • People taking hormone medicine should talk to their doctor before taking genistein. It may interact with the medicine.
- • People with bone problems should talk to their doctors before taking genistein. It may interact with their medicine.