Soy Protein Facts on Health, Weight Loss, Muscle and Nutrition

Soy protein is a health food solution for adding nutritional value to your diet. This excellent source of complete protein is helping to reduce the over-weight epidemic.

By decreasing calories and managing protein intake it may be possible to understand the dietary factors associated with hunger control and weight management.

Soy protein has many health benefits - read on. Soy is a source of high-quality protein that helps you eat less often and decreases hunger. Soy protein helps to maintain muscle mass during weight loss or body building programs. Here's what nutritionists are saying about soy protein.

Soy is a fast-digesting, high-quality protein source with a superior amino acid profile (it's high in arginine and glutamine as well as the branched-chain amino acids leucine, isoleucine and valine), and isoflavones are powerful antioxidants with multiple health benefits.

In addition, the rumor that soy will have estrogen-like effects in men is bogus. In fact, a recent study found that bodybuilders who consumed soy protein shakes twice a day for 12 weeks had no change in estrogen or testosterone levels, and they gained just as much muscle mass as test subjects who supplemented with whey protein. For best results, look for a soy/whey protein blend and take 20 grams before workouts and another 20-40 grams after.

"Soy protein-containing foods (and drinks) can help Americans design a daily diet that meets these goals", says Greg Paul, Ph.D., director of health and nutrition for The Solae Company. Soy protein, unlike other sources of protein, is not only low in fat, but is also cholesterol free.

Scientific research also indicates that protein provides greater satiety (the feeling of being full) than fat or carbohydrates, which can certainly aid in weight loss issues."

The US Food and Drug Administration approved the health claim that "25 g of soy protein a day, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease".

Soy beans have over 40 different nutritional compounds. Various soy ingredients are made from the soybean. These ingredients have different nutritional and functional properties. Soy protein is a useful ingredient for high protein snacks such as energy bars and drink mixes.

Inside Soy Protein

The 5th International Symposium on the "Role of Soy" in Preventing and Treating Chronic Disease was held in September 2003. Close to 300 health care professionals and researchers from 20 different countries attended this conference.

†A full report on the conference can be found in the May 2004 issue of Journal of Nutrition. Interesting findings that were presented include:

In older Chinese women, higher intakes of soy protein and isoflavones were associated with greater bone density.
Supplements of isoflavones, calcium, and vitamin D resulted in an increase in bone mineral in Chinese women.
When breast-feeding women consume soy, soy isoflavones appear in their breast milk and are absorbed by their infants. The significance of this is not known, although researchers speculate that early exposure to soy may protect against chronic disease in adulthood.
An analysis of a number of studies on soy and hot flashes found that, overall, use of soy products reduced the frequency of hot flashes.
Isoflavone supplements reduced the severity of headaches and other symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
Preliminary results suggest that soy isoflavones can improve brain functions, such as memory in older people.
Soy protein may be useful in reducing risk of prostate cancer because it affects male hormone levels.

†Messina M, Erdman J Jr, Setchell KDR. 2004. Fifth International Symposium on the Role of Soy in Preventing and Treating Chronic Disease. J Nutr 134 (Suppl):1205S-1293S.

How is Soy Protein Good for you?

Soy is used in health foods in several varieties. There is soybean oil, Soy Extract (dried) Soy Lecithin and soy protein Isolate. They are used in such products as Soy milk, soy meat, drinks, nuts, snacks, soups, powders, nutritional shake mixes, even candy bars.

Key Benefits:

Provides all essential amino acids*
Promotes healthy heart, arteries and blood pressure.*
Enables fat to be dispersed in water to remove fatty build up.*
Known to promote energy.
May reduce the risk of hormone dependent cancers.*
May ease menopausal symptoms.*
Forms a protective sheath around the brain.*
Great in helping repair a damaged liver due to alcoholism.*
Has isoflavones and antioxidants
Low in fat and no cholesterol.
Gives you a satisfied, full feeling when eaten.
Promotes healthy blood serum cholesterol.*

Get lean with protein. Getting the right amount of protein will help you reach your weight loss goals. Helps to build and maintain lean muscle mass.

According to the FDA diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol that include as little as 25 grams of soy a day may help reduce the risk of heart disease.

*Herbal Products Reference Guide, 9th Edition, by: David Lee Miller.

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Soy isoflavones have also shown that they are good anti-oxidants and help protect the cardiovascular system from bad cholesterol or LDLs. Studies have shown that another element of soy isoflavones is genistein, which protect plaque growth in the arteries.

Independent research has also proven that soy isoflavones build bone density and help keep bones from deterioration due to the compound daidzein along with genistein.

New studies are researching the benefits of soy isoflavones in the prevention of cancer, particularly breast and prostate. Other research suggests that soy isoflavones may be effective for fighting cancer as well as pharmaceutical drugs.

The best way to take advantage of soy isoflavones is by eating soy products, including tofu, textured soy protein, soymilk, and by eating the beans themselves. Soy foods are considered by many nutritionists as a 'perfect' food. Not only do they contain soy isoflavones in abundant supply, they are a good source of all major vitamins and protein.

Soy foods can replace meat, especially red meat, in almost any recipe. No longer found only in health food stores, soy foods can be purchased in almost any grocery store and even in some convenience stores as well. See our Herbal Nutrition Store for more information.

Soy foods are a staple of the vegetarian and vegan diets; many who live without consuming meat claim fewer problems with blood pressure, cholesterol and obesity.

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See Also: Our Weight Loss Programs ShapeWorks Weight Loss Programs that Work!
Protein Snacks - enjoy a heart healthy snack today.
Herbal Nutrition Store for all you herbal nutrition needs.
Herbal Catalog - Nutrition products by Herbalife.

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