Soy Isoflavones

Soy isoflavones are high in hair-growth promoting protein and amino acids. The recommended dosage for healthy hair is 100-300 mg/day ²²²

Dietary Sources of Soy Isoflavones

• Miso ³⁷
• Natto ²³¹
• Soybeans ³⁷
• Soy flour ³⁷
• Soy milk ³⁷
• Soy oil ³⁷
• Soy sauce ²³¹
• Tamari ²³¹
• Tempeh ³⁷
• Tofu ³⁷

Physiological Effects and Benefits of Soy Isoflavones

• Soy contains isoflavones that are phytoestrogens (e.g., daidzein, glycitein, and genistein). ^{37, 222}
• Other important compounds in soy for hair health and to help prevent hair loss are zinc, copper, B vitamins (especially B6 ), iron, and omega-3 fatty acids. ^{37, 50}
• Lowers blood glucose and insulin levels in postmenopausal women, both of which are associated with increased risk of hair loss. ²³¹
• May inhibit the formation of DHT. ³⁷
• In rural Japan, where 20-80 mg of genistein is consumed daily, there is virtually no male pattern balding, and in a clinical trial where soy isoflavones were given along with capsaicin, most of those with both male and female androgenetic hair loss regrew some hair. ^{11, 50}

Precaution

Note: some experts recommend that women a history of breast or uterine cancer not take isolated soy isoflavones. ²²²