August 1, 2002Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology111 citationsOpen Access
View Full PaperHigher Usual Dietary Intake of Phytoestrogens Is Associated With Lower Aortic Stiffness in Postmenopausal Women
Key Result
Higher dietary isoflavone intake was associated with decreased aortic stiffness (-0.51 m/s; 95% CI -1.00 to -0.03; P for trend=0.07) in postmenopausal women, especially older women.
Study Design
Type
Cross-Sectional (n=403)
Structured PICO
Does higher dietary intake of phytoestrogens reduce aortic stiffness in postmenopausal women?
P
Population
403 women with natural menopause either between 1987 and 1989 or between 1969 and 1979, selected from the baseline data of the PROSPECT study
I
Intervention
Higher dietary intake of phytoestrogens (isoflavones and lignans) assessed via food-frequency questionnaire
C
Comparator
Lower dietary intake of phytoestrogens (first quartile)
O
Outcome
Aortic stiffness noninvasively assessed by pulse-wave velocity measurement of the aortasurrogate
Higher dietary intake of phytoestrogens, particularly isoflavones, is associated with lower aortic stiffness in postmenopausal women, suggesting a protective effect against arterial degeneration.
Main Result
Effect estimate: Difference -0.51 m/s (95% CI -1.00 to -0.03)
p-value: p=0.07
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Phytoestrogens have been postulated to protect against cardiovascular diseases, but few studies have focused on the effect of Western dietary phytoestrogen intake. METHODS AND RESULTS: Four hundred three women with natural menopause either between 1987 and 1989 or between 1969 and 1979 were selected from the baseline data of the PROSPECT study (n=17 395). Isoflavone and lignan intake was calculated from a food-frequency questionnaire. Aortic stiffness was noninvasively assessed by pulse-wave velocity measurement of the aorta. Linear regression analysis was used. After adjustment for age, body mass index, smoking, physical activity, mean arterial pressure, follow-up time, energy intake, dietary fiber intake, glucose, and high density lipoprotein cholesterol, increasing dietary isoflavone intake was associated with decreased aortic stiffness: -0.51 m/s (95% CI -1.00 to -0.03, fourth versus first quartile, P for trend=0.07). Increasing dietary intake of lignans was also associated with decreased aortic pulse-wave velocity: -0.42 m/s (95% CI -0.93 to 0.11, fourth versus first quartile, P for trend=0.06). Results were most pronounced in older women: for isoflavones, -0.94 m/s (95% CI -1.65 to -0.22, P for trend=0.02), and for lignans, -0.80 m/s (95% CI -1.85 to -0.05), fourth versus first quartile. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study support the view that phytoestrogens have a protective effect on the risk of atherosclerosis and arterial degeneration through an effect on arterial walls, especially among older women.