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Eating lots of soy early in life could help keep women's hearts healthy, according to a new study.

While lifelong soy consumption is best at preventing atherosclerosis, new research reveals that switching to switching to soy from a Western diet after menopause can significantly reduce the risk of atherosclerosis.

The latest study involved cynomolgus monkeys before and after surgical menopause. Researchers fed premenopausal monkeys a diet with protein derived mainly from animal sources or a diet with protein from high-isoflavone soybeans.

One group of monkeys continued to stay on their soy diet, a second group switched from animal protein to soy, a third group maintained their animal protein diet, and the fourth group switched from animal protein to soy.

Researchers analyzed cholesterol levels before and after surgical menopause. Researchers found that cholesterol levels were exceptional in monkeys who ate soy before and after menopause. Monkeys that switched from animal protein to soy protein after menopause also experienced a significantly improved cholesterol levels.

However, researchers found no significant benefits in plaque buildup in the arteries in monkeys that switched from animal protein to soy after menopause. However, some monkeys experienced a big advantage to a postmenopausal switch to soy. Research found that monkeys with small plaques in their arteries at the time of menopause experienced a significantly reduced progression of plaque buildup.

"This study underscores how important it is for women to get into the best cardiovascular shape they can before menopause. The healthy habits they start then will carry them through the years to come, "North American Menopause Society Executive Director Dr. Margery Gass said in a news release.

The study "Beneficial effects of soy supplementation on postmenopausal atherosclerosis are dependent on pretreatment stage of plaque progression," published in the journal Menopause.