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Benefits of Soy / Soy Product Information
Informative articles are provided you below on the benefits of Soy, soy relative to weight management, clinical studies on soy in the diet, and more.
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Soy & Your Health
Soy foods have played an important role in the traditional diets of many regions throughout the world for many centuries. Soy contains protein, calcium and isoflavones. Soy protein is extracted from soy bean.
The soy bean is one of the very few plants that
provide a complete protein source (40% protein). Soybeans contain the essential amino acids that form what is known as a complete protein. The body
cannot synthesize essential amino acids, they must be obtained from food.
Soy foods have become more widely available in the Western culture. Extensive research has confirmed
that we need to consume less fat and more fiber. The soy bean provides high-quality protein and is relatively low in fat content. It also contains other macronutrients carbohydrates, fats and micronutrients, fiber, minerals and vitamins which make soy beans an excellent and complete source of food for human consumption. Soy is also a unique dietary source of many phytochemicals (naturally occurring compounds in plants), the most well known and thoroughly studied of them are isoflavones.
Regular consumption of soy in Southeast Asian populations is associated with the reduction in the rates of certain chronic health conditions like cardiovascular disease. Recent experimental evidence suggests that phytochemicals, i.e. isoflavones in soy are responsible for its beneficial effects which may also help in enhancing bone health. Soy foods can also be a great source of nutrition for women, children and simply a good food for all ages to enjoy both its taste and health benefits.
Important Note From DrSoy: This website is meant to educate and help you eat well to achieve optimum health. The information in this website should not be used as an alternative to appropriate medical care.
- article courtesy of drsoy.com
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Do Soy Foods Negatively Affect Your Thyroid?
A Look at the Downsides of Soy
by Mary Shomon
It seems that there's isn't a newspaper, magazine or news program that hasn't recently featured a story on the amazing health benefits of soy food products and soy/isoflavone supplements. Soy is promoted as a healthy alternative to estrogen replacement for some women, as a possibly way to reduce the risk of breast cancer, as a way to minimize menopause symptoms, and as a healthier, low-fat protein alternative for meats and poultry. But what all the positive stories fail to mention is that there is a very real -- but very overlooked -- downside to the heavy or long-term use of soy products.
Soy products increase the risk of thyroid disease. And this danger is particularly great for infants on soy formula.
This is not information that the powerful and profitable U.S. soy industry wants you to know. The sale of soy products is big business, and the increasing demand for soy protein products, soy powders and soy isoflavone supplements is making that an even more profitable business than ever before.
In researching my book, Living Well With Hypothyroidism, which covers the issue of soy products and the thyroid in great depth, I talked to Dr. Mike Fitzpatrick, an environmental scientist and phytoestrogen researcher who has conducted in-depth studies on soy, particularly the use of soy formulas. Dr. Fitzpatrick makes it clear that soy products can have a detrminental affect on both adults and infants. In particular, he firmly believe that soy formula manufacturers should remove the isoflavones -- that part of the soy products that act as anti-thyroid agents -- from their products.
Researchers have identified that the isoflavones act as potent anti-thyroid agents, and are capable of suppressing thyroid function, and causing or worsening hypothyroidism. Soy is a phytoestrogen, and therefore acts in the body much like a hormone, so it's no surprise that it interacts with the delicate balance of the thyroid's hormonal systems. High consumption of soy products are also proven to cause goiter, (Anti-thyroid isoflavones from soybean: isolation, characterization, and mechanisms of action, Divi RL; Chang HC; Doerge DR, National Center for Toxicological Research, Jefferson, AR 72079, USA, Biochem Pharmacol, 1997 Nov, 54:10, 1087-96)
Note: The best source of information on soy and its negative impact on health can be found at the Soy Online Service and in particular, its page on phytoestrogenic effects of soy, and impact on the thyroid.
Isoflavones belong to the flavonoid or bioflavonoid family of chemicals, and are considered endocrine disruptors -- plants or other products that act as hormones, disrupting the endocrine system, and in some cases, this disruption involves acting as an anti-thyroid agent. (The grain millet, for example, contains high levels of flavonoids, and is commonly known as problematic for thyroid function). Flavonoids inhibit thyroid peroxidase (TPO), which disturbs proper thyroid function.
The March 1999 issue of Natural Health magazine has a feat
ure on soy that quotes Daniel R. Doerge, Ph.D., a researcher at the Food and Drug Aministration's National Center for Toxicological Research. Dr. Doerge has researched soy's anti-thyroid properties, and has said "...I see substantial risks from taking soy supplements or eating huge amounts of soyfoods for their putative disease preventive value. There is definitely potential for interaction with the thyroid."
One UK study of premenopausal women gave 60 grams of soy protein per day for one month. This was found to disrupt the menstrual cycle, with the effects of the isoflavones continuing for a full three months after stopping the soy in the diet. Isoflavones are also known to modify fertility and change sex hormone status. Isoflavones have been shown to have serious health effects -- including infertility, thyroid disease or liver disease -- on a number of mammals.
Dr. Fitzpatrick believes that people with hypothyroidism should avoid soy products, because, "any inhibition of TPO will clearly work against anyone trying to correct an hypothyroid state." In addition, he believes that the current promotion of soy as a health food will result in an increase in thyroid disorders.
The Dangers of Soy Formulas
Since the late 1950's, it has been known that soy formulas contain anti-thyroid agents. Infants on soy formula are particularly vulnerable to developing autoimmune thyroid disease when exposed to high exposure of isoflavones over time. ( Breast and soy-formula feedings in early infancy and the prevalence of autoimmune thyroid disease in children. Fort P; Moses N; Fasano M; Goldberg T; Lifshitz F Department of Pediatrics, North Shore University Hospital-Cornell University Medical College, Manhasset, New York 11030. J Am Coll Nutr, 1990 Apr, 9:2, 164-7) This study found that the frequency of feedings with soy-based milk formulas in early life was noticeably higher in children with autoimmune thyroid disease, and thyroid problems were almost triple in those soy formula-fed children compared to their siblings and healthy unrelated children. Dr. Fitzpatrick even believes that long-term feeding with soy formulas inhibits TPO to such an extent that long-term elevated TSH levels can also raise the risk of thyroid cancer.
Not much is being done in the U.S. to make parents aware of the thyroid-related dangers of soy formulas, or to alert the public that heavy soy consumption may be a danger to thyroid function. Other countries, however, are far ahead of the U.S. In July of 1996, the British Department of Health issued a warning that the phytoestrogens found in soy-based infant formulas could adversely affect infant health. The warning was clear, indicating that soy formula should only be given to babies on the advice of a health professional. They advised that babies who cannot be breastfed or who have allergies to other formulas be given alternatives to soy-based formulas.
Why more information is not available about these concerns is probably a function of the tremendous strength of the large agricultural companies that dominate America's soy market. One thing is clear, however. At the same time that health experts, and nearly every radio and television health program in the nation touts soy as the miracle health food of the new millenium, the United States pediatric and medical community needs to get more on top of this issue, and begin to counsel their patients regarding the serious impact use of soy products can have on thyroid function.
How Much Soy is Safe?
According to the Soy Online Service, for infants, any soy is too much. For adults, just 30 mg of soy isoflavones per day is the amount found to have a negative impact on thyroid function. This amount of soy isoflavones is found in just 5-8 ounces of soy milk, or 1.5 ounces of miso.
The USDA has launched a website that is promoting the health benefits of use of soy and soy foods. The USDA site lists the isoflavone content of a total of 128 foods, including foods such as vegetarian hot dogs soybeans, chickpeas and tofu. This can help you in deciding how much soy to include in your diet.
Last Update: June 17, 2009
More info about author, Mary Shomon
Weight Loss & Soy
Weight Loss And Weight Management
Soy protein snacks are popular weight loss alternative. They are known to be an effective and healthy meal replacement. The fact is that soy protein is healthy and it is effective at lowering cholesterol. Soy protein should be consumed in food format to be effective. Snacks made out of soy protein are a convenient way of adding soy to your daily diet.
The facts about soy protein
By nature soy is a low-calorie, low-carbohydrate food. Iowa State University’s recent research has identified two key properties of soy protein that are effective in weight loss independent of calorie content. Soy has natural occurring phytochemical that contribute to the weight loss. Consumption of soy protein containing these naturally occurring Isoflavones decreases fat accumulation while increasing muscle mass.
Research has indicated that soy helps reduce the amount of fat that is stored in your body. Soy helps your body to convert fewer calories into fat from the food that you consume. Soy protein can also control insulin levels therefore reducing the frequency of sugar cravings. Soy is a low-glycemic index food. Soy reduces the insulin fluctuations keeping the sugar craving to a minimum. The body will feel more satisfied and less hungry. This will also reduce the overindulgent eating due to sugar cravings and give the dieters an opportunity to succeed in their goal of losing weight.
Soy enhances building muscle mass. Muscles burn energy during daily activities and exercise. Increased muscle mass burns more calories. Soy can enhance energy levels. Soy increases the speed at which the fat cells burn the fat stored in the body. Soy protein affects your metabolism.
· Isoflavones in soy will help reduce the body stored fat
· Consumption of soy protein helps build muscle mass while reducing body fat
· The build-up muscle mass burns more energy (calories)
· Soy is a low-glycemic index food
· Soy balances the insulin level and reduces sugar cravings
· Soy provides the body with more energy
Many Clinical Studies in the past 20 years including one recent from The New England Journal of Medicine indicate:
• People with increase body-mass index (BMI) with different levels of excess weight and obesity, have an increase risk of heart failure.
• Soy protein may help with obesity and heart health.
• Soy has inherent weight management benefits.
• Soy has Food and Drug Administration (FDA) - supported heart health benefits.
• Including Soy foods and beverages in consumers' healthy diets is one simple change that may help lower body weight and overall BMI to prevent health risks associated with heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol.
• When consumed as an alternative to foods high in saturated fat (i.e. meat and other animal protein), soy can be helpful in maintaining a healthy weight and reduction body fat in people who exercise, stated Belinda Jenks, Ph.D., sports nutrition and obesity research expert at DuPont Protein Technologies.
• The National Institutes of Health, The National Heart, Blood and Lung Institute, and the North American Association of the Study of Obesity recommend that diets for weight loss should contain plant-based (i.e. soy) and lean animal protein. As a nutritionally rich plant-based protein, soy fits well with this recommendation. Soy is an excellent protein to eat when trying to manage weight. - Belinda Jenks, Ph.D.
• Research shows overweight or obese individuals whose diets are rich in soy protein have a reduced level of blood LDL (bad) cholesterol.
• Lower LDL cholesterol is associated with a reduction in risk of coronary heart disease.
• In 1999, the U.S. FDA approved a health claim that links consumption of soy to improved heart health.
• "The positive news related to the health benefits of soy in the past few years have set the stage for conitnued popularity of soy foods. However, what has truly made soy so popular today is the availability of so many great tasting soy foods and snacks familiar to American taste and lifestyle. After all, very few of us are willing to sacrifice the experience and pleasure of eating for health, as a child once taught me, when it comes to food, taste is not negotiable. If you have not tried this new generation of great tasting soy foods, give it a chance; you are in for a pleasant surprise", says Ari Babaknia, M.D. the Chairman of DrSoy Nutrition.
- article courtesy of drsoy.com
Clinical Studies on Soy
It is crucial that the health claims attached to these products be substantiated in well-designed, double-blind clinical trials that have well constructed placebo-controlled parallel designs.
Products containing soy protein and isoflavones are currently involved in multiple clinical studies evaluating their effectiveness in all aspects of health benefits of soy. DrSoy brand of soy foods and snacks are the products of choice in 8 of such clinical trials. DrSoy products have been chosen for these trials because they are tasty and the volunteers in these studies are willing to eat them on a regular basis for a long period of time (2 to 3 times a day and sometimes for a period of 2 years or more).
These studies are as follows:
•Dietary soy protein and breast cancer risk factors reduction.
•Dietary soy protein and lean body (muscle) mass formation.
•Soy as a preferred protein in patients with diabetes and kidney disease.
•Soy and menopausal health (cardiovascular, bone, symptoms).
•Soy's isoflavones potential role in uterine fibroid size reduction.
•Soy's role in serum lipid regulation.
•Soy the right protein for long term weight loss.
•The use of soy protein in patients on kidney hemodialysis.
- article courtesy of drsoy.com
Harvard Study: Soy Counteracts Metabolic Syndrome
2007-03-29 - United Soybean Board - ST. LOUIS, March 28, 2007 /PRNewswire-USNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Obesity. High blood pressure. Abnormal cholesterol levels. Most of us intuitively recognize these as warning signs for health problems. Combine these risk factors in individuals with insulin resistance, however, and the cluster becomes metabolic syndrome -- a precursor to heart disease and type-2 diabetes. Now, new research co-authored by the Harvard University School of Public Health shows that adding soy to the diet may improve many problems associated with the metabolic syndrome above and beyond that of a healthy diet without soy.
The study evaluated both soy protein and soy nut consumption among postmenopausal women living with metabolic syndrome. Soy protein and soy nuts each exhibited a beneficial effect on components of the syndrome, but soy nuts had the strongest impact, perhaps because they provided soy protein as well as polyunsaturated ("good") fat and contained a higher amount of soybean isoflavones.
How much should we worry about metabolic syndrome? The condition afflicts up to 30 percent of the industrialized world's population, and will likely affect 50 to 75 million Americans by the year 2010. Alarmingly, this syndrome increases risk of heart disease by two to four times that of the normal population, and increases risk of type-2 diabetes by nine to 30 times. Research also suggests the metabolic syndrome may play havoc with the kidneys, liver, ovaries, ability to sleep and even dementia.
Published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the Harvard study, which was co-authored by researchers at Shaheed Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Iran, used a randomized crossover design involving 42 Iranian postmenopausal women. All subjects consumed each of three different diets for eight week periods: a healthy diet that had previously been demonstrated to lower blood pressure, the same diet in which soy protein replaced the original protein source or the same diet in which soy nuts replaced the protein source.
The results showed that all three diets lowered LDL ("bad") cholesterol but the decreases were significantly greater in the diets containing soy. Even more impressive, the soy-containing diets markedly improved insulin resistance, a hallmark of the metabolic syndrome. In this case, soy nuts had a greater effect than soy protein.
Dr. Mark Messina, a nutritionist and noted soyfood expert, commented, "The results of this study confirm the well-recognized role of soyfoods in reducing cholesterol levels and provide new evidence that soyfoods can potentially help millions of individuals with the metabolic syndrome by improving insulin resistance."
About the United Soybean Board:
The United Soybean Board is a farmer-led organization comprised of 64 farmer-directors. USB oversees the investments of the soybean checkoff on behalf of all U.S. soybean farmers.
For more soy and health information, please visit:
soyconnection.com
Soy Glossary & Terminology
You might be interested in the Soy Glossary & Terminology which explains:
Health & Nutrition Benefits
Soybean Oil
Soyfoods
Soybean Processing Techniques
Food Biotechnology
Industrial Uses
Farming Terms
URL: http://www.soyconnection.com/pressroom/soy_glossary.php
- courtesy of The United Soybean Board
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