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As someone who consumes a significant amount of soy every day, I was interested to learn more about the recent American Heart Association scientific statement indicating that soy protein "has little or no effect on the risk factors for heart disease." Since cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death among women, I was further intrigued.
A committee reviewed 22 studies to determine the effect of soy protein - in the form of both dietary sources and nutritional supplements - on low-density lipoproteins (LDL), labeled "bad cholesterol" and high-density lipoproteins (HDL), often called "good cholesterol." Their findings, which appear in "Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association," indicated that soy protein did reduce LDL cholesterol by 3 percent, yet had no effect on LDL, nor on lipoprotein or blood pressure.
The team also dove into 19 other studies and their findings show that "soy isoflavones, the bioactive molecules found in soy, had no effect on lowering LDL cholesterol or other lipid risk factors such as triglycerides or HDL cholesterol."
Vegans In Europe has posted a bit of commentary and an article about the review.
The committee also determined that "soy protein and isoflavones did not lessen'hot flashes' due to menopause." However, over at Women's Health for the 2000's, Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, PhD writes, "It is a known fact that Japanese women tend to suffer with menstrual symptoms or hot flashes only about 1/3 as often as American women. Women on vegetarian diets also complain of hot flashes far less than women who eat meat." She goes on to include some advice on the benefits of adding soy to the diet to help alleviate the "not-so-fun" symptoms of menstruation and menopause.
Looks like Dr. Neddermeyer isn't the only one that sees the plus-side of soy. Endometriosis Help has a post titled "The Joy of Soy: Health Benefits" by Ruth Bird, a sufferer of diabetes. She includes a backstory about soy milk and highlights some findings by a panel of researchers — and the FDA — that demonstrate benefits of soy. Click through to learn more about how soy may help with bone density and prostate function. (The association's results were non-conclusive about postmenopausal bone loss.)
Yet the panel's review also "found that the efficacy and safety of soy isoflavones for preventing or treating breast, endometrial and prostate cancer are not established." Essentials of Health highlights information about an analysis published last year that indicates soy may "reduce a woman's chance of developing breast cancer by up to 22 percent." This blog also has information on soy protein and diabetes, including a study's finding that soy protein reduced by 9.5 percent protein in urine. There was no reduction in protein from casein, found in milk. According to the National Kidney Foundation, albumin/protein in the urine is a sign of kidney disease in patients with diabetes. In fact, this is how my husband was diagnosed as a pre-diabetic.
Alice and Fred Ottoboni, research doctors, have much to say about cholesterol in an article by Robert Thiel, Ph.D., N.H.D. published on the Center for Natural Health Research site. In the article, Dr. Thiel states, "the Ottobonis concluded that 'high blood cholesterol and heart attacks do not have a casual relationship, but rather are co-symptoms of an unhealthy dietary regime.'" He also includes their take on sugar and heart disease and advice about lowering cholesterol by adding a variety of items to the diet, including flax seeds, walnuts and garlic. Perhaps my favorite statement is, "The Ottobonnis urge readers to take personal responsibility for their health and to remember, 'the human body is a very forgiving creature and will respond favorably to good nutrition, even after decades of abuse. And to keep in mindthere are no drugs that can cure a nutritional disease!'"
Interestingly enough, if you'd rather shy away from soy in your diet, apparently you can simply wear it, as I found out by visiting Inhabitat.
The bottom line? If you can't eat it, wear it.
Related BlogHer Guides:
Please note that this information cannot substitute for the advice of a medical professional.
art credit: International Institute of Tropical Agriculture
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mipmup.
Contributing Editor, Health & Wellness
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