MONDAY, Jan. 23 (HealthDay News) -- Although research reports suggesting the heart benefits of soy protein have not been confirmed, the high polyunsaturated fat content in most soy products should make them heart healthy, according to an American Heart Association science advisory published in the Feb. 14 issue of Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.
Frank M. Sacks, M.D., of the American Heart Association Nutrition Committee, and colleagues reviewed 22 studies on the relationship between soy protein and cardiovascular disease risk.
In most of the studies, a large average daily intake of 50 g of soy protein caused a "very small" average 3% drop in LDL cholesterol concentrations compared with milk or other proteins, the researchers found.
But soy protein intake had "no significant effects" on HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, lipoprotein(a) or blood pressure. It did not lessen vasomotor menopause symptoms, and its safety and effectiveness in preventing or treating breast or other cancers was unconfirmed.
"Earlier research indicating that soy protein has clinically important favorable effects as compared with other proteins has not been confirmed," the authors write. "In contrast, many soy products should be beneficial to cardiovascular and overall health because of their high content of polyunsaturated fats, fiber, vitamins and minerals and low content of saturated fat."
Abstract
Full Text
