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Soyfoods
are well known for reducing the risk of heart disease, cancer, and
osteoporosis. Soyfoods have no cholesterol and since they are also
without lactose, soy foods and beverages are an ideal source of protein
for more than half the world population suffering from lactose
intolerance.
Dr. Mark Messina and his associates in their
book The Simple Soybean and Your Health (Avery Publishing, New York,
1994) look at the many amazing nutritional advantages provided by
soyfoods, highlighting the latest studies that have found soyfoods
helpful in preventing many forms of cancer, heart disease and
osteoporosis, and in controlling diabetes.
Foods and beverages derived from soybeans have
neither cholesterol nor lactose, and are rich in high quality protein
and minerals. They are ideal foods for those concerned about their
present or future health.
Soybeans are abundant in many different types
of phytochemicals, some of which are unique to soya, including:
- Isoflavones
- Compounds that are similar to natural estrogen but with one
important difference, that they may help prevent hormone-dependent
cancers.
- Genistein
- A compound that may stop the spread of some forms of cancer at its
earliest stages, and may even help to prevent heart disease.
- Protease Inhibitors
- Described as a “universal anti-carcinogen”, these compounds
may block the action of cancer-causing enzymes.
- Phytic Acids
- These compounds have been shown to inhibit the growth of tumors in
laboratory animals.
The nutraceutical nature of soyfoods was
discussed by 350 delegates from around the world in The Second
International Symposium on the Role of Soya in Preventing and Treating
Chronic Disease, was held in September 1996, in Brussels, Belgium. Major
topics discussed included:
- Heart Disease
The fact that the consumption of soya protein can lower blood
cholesterol levels has been a subject of significant research over
the past 30 years. In a research paper published in the prestigious
The New England Journal of Medicine 333:5 p276(1995), Anderson et al
confirmed that soya protein consumption significantly decreases
serum cholesterol concentration and low density lipoprotein (LDL)
cholesterol along with the serum triglycerides, without reducing the
high density lipoprotein (HDL) which is protective against heart
disease. Many researchers reported at the conference that in fact
soya protein intake actually increases the good cholesterol.
Nilausen and Meinertz (University of Copenhagen, School of Medicine)
found that 5 out of 9 subjects who were fed soya protein experienced
a 21% decrease in LDL cholesterol, but also an increase of 11% in
HDL. In 3 other subjects LDL was unaffected but HDL increased by
18%.
- Osteoporosis
Recent research has shown that certain soybean isolfavones may
inhibit bone breakdown and even stimulate bone formation. In a study
by Erdman et al (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA)
post-menopausal women were fed diets containing 40g of dry milk, 40g
of soya protein with moderate level of isoflavones or 40g of soya
protein with high level of isoflavones for a six-month period. The
results indicated that bone density and bone mineral content
increased in the lumber spine region in the women consuming soya
protein with a high level of isoflavones. Other skeletal areas
showed similar trends.
- Prevention of
Cancer
The consumption of soyfoods has been associated with a reduced risk
of several types of cancer. In one study Bennink et al (Michigan
State University, East Lansing, USA) found the animals fed soya
flour, soya flakes, or the soybean isoflavone – genistein – had
35 to 40% fewer ACF (Aberrant Crypt Foci – which are considered to
be the beginning stages of colon tumors) compared to the animals fed
soya protein concentrates. Since the concentrates are low in soybean
isoflavones compared to other soya products, soya isoflavones may be
responsible for this observation. Similar affect of genistein was
observed by other researchers in controlling breast cancer and
prostate cancer. A protease inhibitor in soybeans, Bowman-Birk
Inhibitor Concentrate, has recently achieved Investigational New
Drug Status from the FDA and is currently undergoing human clinical
trials.
- Kidney Function
Anderson et al showed that animals consuming soya protein had lower
level of blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine than those
consuming animal protein. This is good news for diabetes patients.
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