Why Soy? - Soy's Health Benefits
Soy benefits
Balance female hormone ( Reduce the symptom of PSM and menopause)
Isoflavones which are found in soybeans are similar to the body's estrogen in structure.
Because of this similarity in structure, Isoflavones may naturally balance the body's estrogen levels to support a hearthier hormonal state.
Isoflavones can interfere with the action of our own estrogen. Sometimes isoflavones will reduce the effects of estrogen because they compete with the same receptor sites on our cells.
Some of the risks of excess estrogen can be lowered in this way.
Studies link the symptoms of PMS to high levels of estrogen in a woman's body before and during menstruation.
Premenopausal women with elevated estrogen levels experience more frequent and severe PMS symptoms.
Two new studies from England and Japan suggest that soy isoflavones are effective for supporting better PMS health.
Japanese researchers noted that physical symptoms of PMS were "significantly improved" in women consuming soy isoflavones daily.
The researchers concluded that soy isoflavones were beneficial for the improvement of physical symptoms of PMS
Isoflavones can also increase the estrogen activity.
If during menopause the body's natural level of estrogen drops, isoflavones can compensate this by binding to same receptor sites, thereby easing menopause symptoms such as hot flushes as a result.
Reduce cholestrol level and risk of heart disease
Studies show that soy may lowers total cholesterol, the "bad" LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and may even raise good HDL cholesterol levels.
Soy protein plays a main role to reduce cholesterol and promote healthy veins and arteries.
Recent human clinical research suggests that isoflavones are among the bioactive compounds that work in conjunction with soy protein to lower blood cholesterol.
And it is also said that soy lecithin, saponin and vitamin E in soy may lower cholesterol.
saponin and Vitamin E in soy may help prevent or delay coronary heart disease by limiting the oxidation of LDL-cholesterol [14].
Vitamin E and lecithin also may help prevent the formation of blood clots, which could lead to a heart attack.
Soy also contains alpha-linolenic acid (LNA), which can become omega-3 fatty acid in the body.
Omega-3 fatty acids benefit the heart of healthy people, and those at high risk of - or who have - cardiovascular disease.
Support brain health
Scientific research has found that lecithin that is found in soy may improve your memory, especially mild memory loss associated with getting older.
Lecithin compounds enhance memory in normal adults, particularly in those individuals having relatively poor memory function.
Stabilize blood pressure
Potassium that is found in soy may help to maintain healthy blood pressure.
You would do well to consume sodium in balance with potassium in order to lower blood pressure.
Soy protein may improve vascular wall flexibility and promotes lowering blood pressure as well.
Bone health / Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis causes the loss of bone mass and strength.
It affects both men and women, but is primarily found in post-menopausal women since their estrogen levels drop.
Isoflavones in soy that are similar to estrogen may compensate this and prevent osteoporosis.
Healthy skin
Collagen and elastin are fibrous proteins that give skin its youthful appearance.
They are damaged by sun exposure because sun generate free radical ( known cause of skin aging) on skin.
When they are damaged, wrinkles, brown spots, flabby skin and droopy eyelids and chin lines become visible.
Saponin isoflavones and vitamin E in soy may act as antioxidants to protect collagen and elastin from damage caused by destructive free radicals.
Soy also contains vitamin B-2 that is essential for healthy skin.
Vitamin B-2 is needed in the repair of skin. Constipation is an enemy of skin.
Soy is an excellent source of fiber and oligosaccharide that helps to prevent constipation.
Soy contains numerous nutritional elements to keep healthy skin.
Decrease stress
Soy contains the B-group vitamins.
Vitamin B-1 maintains a healthy nervous system. Stress and emotional disturbances increases the need for B-1 and all B vitamins.
Weight loss
New research shows that soy can play a major role in helping you achieve your weight loss goals faster.
Recent studies indicate that soy plays a major role in losing weight.
- Reduces hunger
Recent medical studies show soy protein helps you feel less hungry, and helps you feel fuller longer.
(1) Eating soy may work by causing your stomach to send an "I'm full" messages to your brain.
(2) This helps reduce the urge to snack between meals and late at night - two major causes of weight gain.
- Soy protein is "low-carb."
Soybeans are the only vegetable that contain more protein than carbs.
- Soy protein has a "low-glycemic index."
Not only is soy protein low in carbs and fat, but it also has a low-glycemic index which means it won't cause a rapid rise in blood sugar levels after consumption.
This prevents over secretion of insulin (insulin causes the unwanted effect of storing extra sugar in your bloodstream as body fat).
Stable blood sugar and insulin levels mean fewer hunger cravings and fewer calories being stored as fat, which is beneficial for weight management and control.
- Soy protein is a complete protein.
Soy protein is the only plant protein that is a complete protein, which means it contains all 9 essential amino acids in the right balance to meet your body's needs.
This means you get the highest quality protein available, with less fat and fewer calories than most meats.
- Soy is an excellent source of fiber
Due to it's high fiber content, the addition of soy foods into a daily diet benefits any weight loss program
Fitness
Studies have shonwn that Soy protein has key nutritional qualities that support energy, stamina, and sports performance (better lean muscle mass, endurance and recovery time).
- Formation of lean body mass
As a complete protein, soy protein helps to build and maintain lean muscle mass.
For individuals exercising, training and building muscle, soy protein can be used as a source of high quality protein to help satisfy the higher need for protein during muscle-building by providing the necessary essential amino acids for physical and muscular development.
- Supporting energy and stamina
Soy may help sustain endurance levels during exercise.Soy protein's amino acids may be used as an energy source during exercise. Soy also contains vitamin B2.
Vitamin B2 is the one of the more important nutrients in producing a higher level of energy.
- Improving muscle recovery and reduction of post-exercise fatigue
While exercise is healthy, it does create oxidant stress that can contribute to muscle soreness, inflammation and the development of free radicals.
Research shows that soy protein may speed up muscle recovery after exercise.
Isoflavones and saponin in soy are an excellent source of antioxidants for the human body.
This antioxidant capability can help in reducing muscle soreness and fatigue following exercise, therefore speeding up muscle recovery and ultimately enhancing muscle performance.
Vitamin E in soy also produce antioxidant effects.
Soy protein's Glutamine also may help reduce fatigue in the body during and after exercise
- Soy helps support a healthy cardiovascular system
Soy protein promotes cardiovascular health and improves vascular wall flexibility.
Healthy cardiovascular system is critical for exercising or an active lefe style.
Cancer
Weak estrogenic effects of isoflavones have been postulated as being protective against various forms of cancer.
They are hormonal dependent cancers such as prostate cancer and breast cancer.
Soy is not proven to prevent or cure cancer.
Soy may support better breast and endometrial health by favorably altering estrogen levels, estrogen metabolism and increasing length of time between periods.
The consumption of isoflavones during the puberty, when the female breast develops, appears to protect the woman later in life against cancer.
Studies show that women who ate weekly more than 3 portions of soy during adolescence showed a 40% reduced risk of breast cancer compared to those who did not consume soy.
That's why it's important for girls to consume soy products.
As always, consult your own physician about this research if you are interested in breast and endometrial health, particularly if you have a personal or family history of cancer.
Low-glycemic index
For those new to glycemic index science, it is simply a measurement of how carbohydrates in a dietary product impact blood sugar levels.
"High-glycemic index" products, like white bread, have carbs that are rapidly digested and absorbed, thus resulting in sharp increases in blood sugar levels.
"Low-glycemic index" products, like soy protein, have carbs that are slowly digested and absorbed, thus producing minimal rises in blood sugar and insulin levels and have proven benefits for health.
According to the University of Sydney, the benefits of a "low-glycemic index" diet are numerous including weight loss, reduced hunger cravings, improved energy levels and improved insulin metabolism.
Because soy protein has a low-glycemic index, it won't cause a rapid rise in blood sugar levels after consumption. This prevents over secretion of insulin.
Insulin causes the unwanted effect of storing extra sugar in your bloodstream as body fat.
Stable blood sugar and insulin levels mean fewer hunger cravings and fewer calories stored as fat.
MEDICAL DISCLAIMER
All information is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions.
We cannot and do not give medical advice.
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