| My husband has MS, and I have Diabetes. | | | | examine the effect of dietary soy with different |
| Researching health issues has become a "hobby" of | | | | isoflavone concentrations on serum hormones in |
| mine. I am always interested in health issues. I am | | | | healthy young men. |
| especially interested in soy because I am constantly | | | | STUDY DESIGN. This study was conducted as a |
| looking for protein to balance my diabetic meals. I am | | | | randomized, crossover trial with three groups. Young |
| not a meat eater, although I am not a vegetarian | | | | adult men 20 - 40 years of age were randomly |
| either. I believe that knowledge is my best defense. | | | | assigned to consume either (1) a milk protein isolate |
| Soy milk (also called soymilk, soya milk, soybean milk, | | | | (MPI) (0 mg isoflavones/day), (2) a low-isoflavone |
| soy bean milk, or soy drink) is a beverage produced | | | | soy protein isolate (SPI) (~2 mg isoflavones/day), or |
| from soybeans. | | | | (3) a high-isoflavone SPI (~62 mg isoflavones/day) |
| Soy milk originated in East Asia, a region where | | | | for 57 days. Blood samples were collected on days 1, |
| soybean consumption in food and beverages is | | | | 29, and 57 of the study and serum reproductive |
| common. | | | | hormones were quantified. |
| Although its English name uses the word "milk", due | | | | RESULTS. Both the low- and high-isoflavone soy |
| to its common use as a milk substitute in Western | | | | groups had lower levels of dihydrotestosterone |
| societies, it is actually a juice extracted from | | | | (DHT) and lower ratios of DHT/testosterone |
| soybeans after soaking, grinding, cooking and | | | | compared to the group receiving the milk protein |
| straining. It is generally opaque, white or off-white in | | | | isolate. |
| color, and approximately the same consistency as | | | | CONCLUSION. The results of this clinical trial indicate |
| cow's milk. | | | | that soy with low or high isoflavone content can |
| Soy Low in fat, rich in protein, soy has become a | | | | lower serum concentrations of DHT and reduce the |
| staple in vegetarian diets. Soy contains essential fatty | | | | DHT/testosterone ratio. The authors suggest that |
| acids, phytoestrogens, vitamin E and natural | | | | these changes may have beneficial effects on |
| anti-inflammatory agents. | | | | prostate health support, but that this requires further |
| Eating enough soy protein and soy isoflavones is | | | | investigation. |
| essential to obtain soy's full benefits. An international | | | | MEDICAL REFERENCE: Dillingham BL, McVeigh BL, |
| panel of leading soy researchers determined that 100 | | | | Lampe JW, Duncan AM. Soy protein isolates of |
| to 160 milligrams of soy isoflavones per day are likely | | | | varying isoflavone content exert minor effects on |
| needed to achieve all of the potential benefits of soy | | | | serum reproductive hormones in healthy young men. |
| isoflavones. The FDA states that 25 grams of soy | | | | Journal of Nutrition 2005; 135:584-591. |
| protein per day, with a diet low in saturated fat and | | | | Soy milk is found in many vegan and vegetarian food |
| cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease. | | | | products and be used as a replacement for cow's |
| Studies show soy isoflavones, the active | | | | milk in most recipes. Such substitution has a low |
| components of soybean, help increases bone density, | | | | impact on foods like pancakes, but there is a |
| thus maintain bone health. Soy isoflavones act as mild | | | | noticeable difference when making foods such as |
| estrogens that provide support through menopause. | | | | macaroni and cheese or quiche. |
| In addition, soy isoflavones promote healthy | | | | "Sweet" and "salty" soy milk are both traditional |
| cholesterol levels without lowering levels of beneficial | | | | Chinese breakfast foods, usually accompanied by |
| HDL cholesterol. | | | | breads like mantou (steamed rolls), youtiao (fried |
| Another study shows that soy consumption supports | | | | crullers), and shaobing (sesame flatbread). The soy |
| healthier metabolism of dihydrotestosterone and | | | | milk is typically sweetened by adding cane sugar or, |
| testosterone in younger men. This is critical for | | | | sometimes, simple syrup. Tofu is produced from soy |
| support of healthier prostate tissues and prostate | | | | milk by further steps of curdling and then draining. |
| function. I hope you have a good weekend. | | | | Health benefits aside, I love Soy and it's various |
| RESEARCH UPDATE: Soy Protein Exerts Minor | | | | products. Especially the soy drinks. I find they work |
| Effects on Serum Reproductive Hormones in Healthy | | | | perfect into my personal diet. They're also low in |
| Young Men | | | | calories and carbs. They have become my personal |
| OBJECTIVE. The objective of this study was to | | | | favorite protein. |