Although women of childbearing age have lower heart disease rates than men, those rates increase after menopause. Soyfoods may play a role in helping to reduce risk of heart disease. Besides being low in saturated fat and cholesterol-free, the protein in soyfoods has been shown to reduce cholesterol levels. A dose response relationship exists; higher amounts of soy protein increase the effects.(16) Soy protein is also primarily effective in patients with high cholesterol levels (>240 mg.dl).(16) Although 25 grams of soy protein has been found to produce decreases in cholesterol levels, as much as 40 grams of soy protein - or the amount in three to four servings of soyfoods - is needed to produce larger effects.(17)
Soy may also offer protection because of its antioxidant activity. A recent human study found that soy inhibited LDL-cholesterol oxidation.(1) Decreased cholesterol oxidation may be extremely important for decreasing heart disease risk. Finally, the isoflavone genistein inhibits platelet aggregation and smooth muscle cell proliferation in vitro.(1,2) Thus, soy intake may reduce clot formation and plaque development.
1. Kanazawa T, Osanai T, Zhang X-S, et al. J Nutr 125 (suppl), 639S-646S, 1995.
2.
3. Hollenberg MD. TIPS, 1994, 15, 108-114.
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Marlon Wade
Staff Writer
Café Soy, LLC
info@cafesoy.com
http://www.cafesoy.com
"We make good taste a healthy habit."
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