Soy products are beneficial to overall health because of their high content of protein, polyunsaturated fats, fibre, vitamins, minerals and biologically active compounds, called phytochemicals.

Soy protein and isoflavones (phytoestrogens) have gained considerable attention for their potential role in promoting cardiovascular health. Clinical trials and animal studies showed that ingestion of soy proteins helps to maintain healthy blood lipid profiles, including triglyceride, LDL, and HDL cholesterol levels.

The three major isoflavones found in soybeans are genistein, daidzein, and glycitein. Other isoflavones found in soy include diadzin, glycitein, glycitin. Soy isoflavones exert both estrogenic and anti-estrogenic effects, depending on the tissue in which they are acting.

They are structurally similar to 17-estradiol, a mammalian oestrogen, and are thus called phytoestrogens. They also have non-hormonal effects, including signal transduction and antioxidant activity. Soy isoflavones may inhibit bone resorption and help stimulate bone formation, without the side effects of hormone replacement therapy.

In recent years there has been an increase in the number of basic science, clinical, and nutritional studies investigating the potential health effects of phytoestrogens. Genistein is the most abundant phytoestrogen, derived almost entirely from soybeans, and is considered to be the most biologically active.

The beneficial effects of genistein and other soy isoflavones have been shown in numerous published studies. They revealed that those who consume the biggest amount of soy maintain healthier cell biological function and proliferation, which explains the longevity of Asian populations that have soy-enriched diets.

Ultra Soy Extract contains non-GMO Soynatto fermented soy food and has been reformulated with soybean extract standardised to isoflavones.