Soy for Health Benefits

An Introduction

First produced in China around A.D. 25 – 220 for medical purposes, soy has been considered one of five sacred plants along with rice, barley, wheat and millet for centuries.

Today, soy products come in variety of form such as Soy Sauce, Tempeh, Miso and Natto. Others are Edamame, Soy Cheese, Soy Flour, Shoyu, Soy Nuts and the ever refreshing Soymilk.

Besides food, soy also being processed as fabrics, candles, paints, enamels, inks and soaps which made up from soybean derivatives and known for its quality.

The Health Benefits

Soy bean contains some compounds necessary to fight or suppress certain disease. The most powerful are Isoflavones named Genistein and Daidzen.

Heart Disease

• Soy beans contain soluble fiber that reacts with the absorption and metabolism of cholesterol, a common cause of cardiovascular disease.

• Genistein and Daidzein (also named phyoestrogens) known to be an agent reducing serum cholesterol levels.

Osteoporosis

• Soy proteins promote higher bone density; thus prevent menopausal women from osteoporosis.

• Daidzen act similar to Ipriflavone, a drug used to inhibit the bone breakdown while enhancing the body’s ability to remake bones hence significantly lower the risk of fracture.

Cancers

• Genistein suppress the growth and stimulation of cancer cells.

• Phytoestrogen is “anti-estrogens”, protecting women from developing breast cancer.

• Early age diet that includes soy products may inhibit the development of breast, colon and prostate cancers in the future.

Menopause

• Genistein and Daidzein balance the level of estrogen in the body thus preventing the symptoms of peri-menopause like hot flashes, night sweats, headaches, vaginal dryness and insomnia.

• For post-menopausal women, it lowers the risk of heart disease, osteoporosis and promotes longer life expectancy.

• During menopause, soy protein helps higher the bone density thus preventing osteoporosis.

Diabetes and Kidney Disease

• Soy regulates the carbohydrates breakdown into sugar in the body effectively.

• Soluble fiber found in the okara (soy bean grinds) enables glucose absorption into the bloodstream.

• Though soy is high in protein, a soy-based diet is still a good choice for diabetes control since it does not stimulate hyper filtration and proteinuria.

• Help lower the LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol), make it effective in preventing kidney damage.

Eye Health

• Genistein protects against x-ray induced cataract.

• Act as radioprotectant when expose to ionizing radiation. This is helpful in cancer treatment, radiation contamination cleanup and space travel.

Lactose-intolerance

• Symptoms of lactose-intolerance are diarrhea, vomiting, gas and cramps.

• About 75% of the globe populations have lactose-intolerance.

• By ethnic, 75% of Africans and 90% of Asians have lactose-intolerance.

• Soymilk is lactose free compared to dairy milk.

Nutritional Value

• Soymilk contains almost the same amount of protein as cow’s milk which essential to build muscle and burn fat.

• Has lower fat density than milk protein or casein.

• Has little digestible calcium, therefore many manufacturers enrich their products with tri-calcium phosphate, calcium carbonate and vegetable calcium from seaweed which available for human digestion.

• Contains less saturated fat and no cholesterol, which help prevent clogged arteries and heart disease.

• A great source of fiber, necessary for our digestive functions.

• Lecithin in soy helps lower cholesterol and triglycerides.

• Vitamin B1, B2, and B6 content are good for metabolism, skin, muscle, immune and nervous system, and cell growth.

• Rich in iron, zinc, phosphorus, sodium, magnesium and boron. Magnesium and boron are important co-factors of calcium for bone health.

• Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids available in soy prevent cancer and cardiovascular disease, boost immune system and promote brain health.

Useful Tips

• Soymilk is lactose-free whereas lactose-free milk is between 70% and 99% lactose free.

• Contain little calcium, therefore consuming calcium rich foods like leafy vegetables, sardines, salmon, avocado and almonds are necessary to complete the other parts of our diets.

• A great alternative to cow’s milk recipes such as making waffles and pan cakes, in coffee or tea, or over cereal.

• Considered a healthy replacement for meats or other foods high in saturated fat and total fat.

• Soy products along with plenty of whole grains, fruits and vegetables are a healthy balanced diet.

• To get the best out of soy products, look for products which use non-genetically modified soy crops in their production.

• Soybean oil used in fried foods, snacks and salad dressings might be bad for health if taken excessively as it contains more of the Omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids.

• For the cardiac benefits of soy, 25 grams of soy protein is needed. This is equivalent to 2 to 4 servings a day (1 serving = a cup of soymilk or a half-cup of tofu or one-quarter cup of soy nuts).