Novasoy®

Novasoy® is a standardized soy isoflavone ingredient patented to alleviate the side effects of menopause.

Novasoy is a soy ingredient that contains isoflavones – natural compounds similar to estrogen. Soy isoflavones are a popular way of alleviating hot flashes and other issues associated with menopause. This review details the advantages of Novasoy over plain soy isoflavone supplements:

• Patented. The preparation and use of Novasoy for alleviating the negative consequences of menopause is protected by a patent.
• Standardized. The extract is guaranteed to contain either 40% or 65% of bio-active isoflavones to ensure potency.
• Natural ratio. Novasoy preserves the natural proportion of isoflavones as they would be found in whole, natural soybeans, potentially improving its efficacy.

Overview

Novasoy is a branded soy ingredient manufactured by American company Archer Daniels Midland (ADM). Originally released in 1998, it contains isoflavones – unique natural compounds found mostly in soybeans. Isoflavones have a similar structure to estrogen – the female sex hormone – which explains why they appear to mimic its effects.

Soy isoflavones are mostly used to help women deal with the side effects of menopause, which is characterized by reduced estrogen levels. More specifically, Novasoy and other isoflavone preparations are used to alleviate menopause symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats. In addition, they may also help with long-term menopause concerns such as increased risk of osteoporosis and cardiovascular disorders.

Novasoy stands out from basic isoflavone products because it contains high concentrations of three specific isoflavones – genistin, daidzin, and glycitin, and can come in two variations – Novasoy 400 (standardized to 40% isoflavones) and 650 (65% isoflavones). Moreover, it maintains the natural ratio of these three isoflavones as they would be found in whole soybeans.

Novasoy Patents

Novasoy Preparation

Novasoy is prepared through a patented (US patent 5702752), proprietary process that includes:

• Extracting defatted soybean flakes with ethanol
• Removing the ethanol to produce a “soy molasses” extract
• Passing the resulting solution through an ultrafiltration system at elevated temperature
• Collecting isolated isoflavones

Use

The use of Novasoy is protected by US patent 6261565, whereby isoflavones and other active phytochemicals are extracted from soy and other plants, and used to make an extract concentrate that has a similar composition to that found in the original plant source. The resulting extract is then integrated into pills, tablets, capsules, liquids, and foods.

Treatment of Menopause Symptoms

In addition, Novasoy is also patented as a supplement ingredient used to treat various “female symptoms” related to menopause and sex hormone levels, including hot flashes, osteoporosis, and sleep problems. Under this patent, soy isoflavones are mixed with other active compounds from plants such as lignans, saponins, catechins, and phenolic acids (US patent 6518319).

Novasoy Nutritional Supplement Uses

Novasoy is mostly found in supplements that alleviate the negative consequences of menopause, such as hot flashes and night sweats, as well as long-term issues such as increased risk of cardiovascular conditions and osteoporosis due to bone loss.

Although it can be used as the only ingredient in a supplement, Novasoy is most commonly mixed with other compounds such as vitamins, minerals, and other herbs that may help with menopause, such as black cohosh. It is currently present in over 125 different supplements.

Novasoy Research

Human Research

So far, Novasoy has only been investigated in a single clinical study. However, soy isoflavones as a whole have been extensively studied and have shown consistent benefits for alleviating hot flashes, as well as potential benefits for postmenopausal bone and cardiovascular health.

Novasoy appears to be superior to other soy ingredients for postmenopausal bone loss

This double-blind, randomized, crossover study looked at the effects of soy supplements on bone health in postmenopausal women. A total of 24 women were given 5 different isoflavone supplements (including Novasoy) and risedronate (a drug used to prevent bone loss) for 50 days, with each treatment being given one after another. Although all soy groups experienced increased bone calcium retention, Novasoy had the best results, with a 7.6% improvement.

This result is especially notable because Novasoy used smaller doses of isoflavones than other preparations, suggesting that its natural isoflavone ratio may be the key factor for its efficacy.

• The researchers concluded that “Soy isoflavones, although not as potent as risedronate, are effective bone-preserving agents in postmenopausal women…” ²

Novasoy Dosage

• Menopause health supplements typically contain Novasoy 400 (40% standardization) doses equivalent to 56-135 mg total isoflavones
• The only human study of Novasoy employed doses containing 105.23 mg total isoflavones