Scribd
Upload
44 views3 pages

Leg As Pi

The document summarizes research on the health benefits of soybeans. While early studies suggested soy could lower cholesterol and reduce heart disease risk, more recent research has found only a modest effect. Studies have also found that soy does not relieve menopause symptoms or reduce cancer risk as previously thought. The evidence for soy's effects on cognitive function is mixed. Overall, regular consumption of soy foods may be healthy but high doses of isoflavone supplements are not necessarily beneficial and could even be harmful.

Uploaded by

Karen Remudo
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
44 views3 pages

Leg As Pi

The document summarizes research on the health benefits of soybeans. While early studies suggested soy could lower cholesterol and reduce heart disease risk, more recent research has found only a modest effect. Studies have also found that soy does not relieve menopause symptoms or reduce cancer risk as previously thought. The evidence for soy's effects on cognitive function is mixed. Overall, regular consumption of soy foods may be healthy but high doses of isoflavone supplements are not necessarily beneficial and could even be harmful.

Uploaded by

Karen Remudo
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

c  

 

 




One protein source that has been getting a lot of


attention is soybeans. We've been told that regularly
eating soy-based foods lowers cholesterol, chills hot
flashes, prevents breast and prostate cancer, aids
weight loss, and wards off osteoporosis. Some of these
benefits have been attributed to a unique characteristic
of soybeans²their high concentration of isoflavones, a
type of plant-made estrogen (phytoestrogen).

As is so often the case, some of the claims made for soy were based on
preliminary evidence, while others go far beyond the available evidence.
Back in 1999, the Food and Drug Administration let companies claim that
foods containing soy protein "may reduce the risk of heart disease." (11)
The claim was based on early research showing that soy protein lowered
levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol. A number of solid studies done since then
have tempered this finding, (12) as well as those regarding soy's effects on
other conditions.

u   A 1995 meta-analysis of 38 controlled clinical trials showed


that eating approximately 50 grams of soy protein a day in place of animal
protein reduced total cholesterol levels by 9.3 percent, LDL cholesterol by
12.9 percent, and triglycerides by 10.5 percent. (13) Such reductions, if
sustained over time, could have meant a 20 percent reduction in the risk of
heart attack, stroke, or other forms of cardiovascular disease. An updated
look at the soy story, which includes several strong studies published since
2000, isn't so bullish on soy and cholesterol. According to this
comprehensive update of soy research by the American Heart Association's
(AHA's) nutrition committee, eating 50 grams of soy a day lowers LDL only
about 3 percent. (12) Keep in mind that 50 grams of soy protein is more
than half the average person's daily protein requirement. It's the equivalent
of 1½ pounds of tofu or eight 8-ounce glasses of soy milk a day.

All this doesn't mean you need to turn up your nose at tofu, tempeh, or soy
milk, or ignore edamame (a fancy name for soybeans). The AHA committee
says that even though soy protein itself has little direct effect on cholesterol,
soy foods are good for the heart and blood vessels because they usually
replace less healthful choices, like red meat, and because they deliver plenty
of polyunsaturated fat, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and are low in
saturated fat.

u 
  Soy has also been investigated as a treatment for hot flashes
and other problems that often accompany menopause. In theory, this makes
sense. Soybeans are rich in phytoestrogens. In some tissues, these
substances mimic the action of estrogen. So they could cool hot flashes by
giving a woman an estrogen-like boost during a time of dwindling estrogen
levels. Yet carefully controlled studies haven't found this to be the case, (14,
15) and the AHA committee concludes that soy hasn't been shown to ease
hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause. (12)

   Phytoestrogens don't always mimic estrogens. In some


tissues they actually block the action of estrogen. If such estrogen-blocking
action occurs in the breast, then eating soy could, in theory, reduce the risk
of breast cancer because estrogen stimulates the growth and multiplication
of breast and breast cancer cells. But studies so far haven't provided a clear
answer, with some showing a benefit and others showing no association
between soy consumption and breast cancer. (12, 16-18) In fact, a handful
of unsettling reports suggests that concentrated supplements of soy proteins
may stimulate the growth of breast cancer cells. (19, 20) Large prospective
studies now underway should offer better information regarding soy and
breast cancer risk.

  Although substances in soy could conceivably protect


against endometrial, ovarian, colorectal, prostate, and other cancers, there
is no good evidence for this.

    A few studies have raised the possibility


that eating soy could help prevent the age-related loss of memory or decline
in cognitive function. Recent trials have yielded contradictory results in this
area, with one showing a benefit for soy, (21) and others showing no
benefit. (22-24) Other studies suggest that too much soy could lead to
memory problems. Among older women of Japanese ancestry living in
Hawaii, those who relied on the traditional soy-based diet were more likely
to have cognitive problems than those who switched to a more Western diet.
(25) This finding, which needs confirmation, could result from excessive
intake of phytoestrogens or inadequate intake of something found in animal
products, such as vitamin B-12.

Finally, there's no evidence that pills containing isoflavones extracted from


soybeans offer benefits, and some studies raise concerns about harmful side
effects. (12)
· 


      
      
 
  
           
     
     

          
 

              

    
       !"! 
      
       
     #    

    

   

You might also like