You may have heard of the "Portfolio Diet" wherein it has been clinically accepted that increasing the intake of soy based foods can reduce levels of LDL cholesterol as much as some statin drugs.
Well, now it seems that soybeans have another health-giving quality: they also reduce blood pressure.
This latest finding is making quite a bit of noise in medical circles and not without reason. Can you imagine how hard the two largest drug markets (cholesterol and blood pressure) would be hit if the American Heart Association or the American College of Cardiology released a statement saying that soybeans can reduce bad cholesterol and control blood pressure? Just think about it. But that's where it will stop; in your thoughts. With all the lobbying power of the giant pharmaceutical industry, I seriously doubt that such a statement from an internationally recognized source will ever be released.
However, to date more than 40 clinical trials have clearly shown that soya protein can reduce cholesterol in men and women. The effective dose of soy protein per day appears to range between 25 and 50 grams. Now initial studies show that it is also useful in fighting high blood pressure.
Soybean protein lowers blood pressure
In a report from the Annals of Internal Medicine (July 2005), it seems that use of soybean protein dietary supplements may help reduce high blood pressure.
Soybean products have been commonplace in Asian diets for centuries, and soybeans, as well as its derivative products have long been available in our local health stores and supermarkets. Research has shown that food items like tofu and soymilk can reduce cholesterol levels and lower risks for cancer, heart disease and osteoporosis. If we add the ability to fight high blood pressure to the list of illness and diseases that soy foods are able to combat, then we might just have a super disease killer on our hands.
In the study covered by the Annals, a group of American and Chinese researchers focused on 300 Chinese patients suffering from hypertension. One group was and given 40gms of soy protein while the second group was given wheat-based carbohydrates.
The objective of the trial was to examine the effect of soybean protein supplementation on blood pressure in persons with pre-hypertension or Stage 1 hypertension. The results showed that Soybean protein supplementation resulted in a reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. As such, increased intake of soybean protein may play an important role in preventing and treating hypertension.
The researchers of Tulane University, New Orleans say it's unclear how soybean products might reduce blood pressure. One theory is that soy proteins widen blood vessels while helping the body do a better job of processing blood sugar.
In a related editorial, Dr. Jeffrey A. Cutler and Dr. Eva Obarzanek of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute in Bethesda, Maryland, state that the new study provides "another important link between blood pressure and dietary macronutrient intake," but add that further studies are needed before soybean supplements can be recommended to patients with high blood pressure.
Soybeans, soymilk, tofu, bean sprouts, meat substitutes, cookies and even soy-based ice cream are all commonly available. Maybe it is better that you don't wait for the big medical institutions to start singing praises about soybeans. If you want an edge, perhaps now is the time to start making some changes to your diet. Throw in 40 minutes exercise four times a week and your high blood pressure will really take a dive.
About the author:
Nicholas Webb, of AllAbout Heart Disease, speaks and writes with a passion telling it is as it is; helping others to live life to the full. This article is extracted from his newsletter "The Web's Heart".
To subscribe, or read other articles visit the web's heart
To learn more about how to beat heart disease and get into shape visit: the web's heart
Last year I had a number of clients who started... Read More
Essential Fatty Acids are oils, omega-3 and omega-6, that you... Read More
It slows ageing, promotes healthy vision, has anti-cancer properties, increases... Read More
People want to get the very best they can when... Read More
Who suffers from Eating Disorders?Eating Disorder sufferers are male and... Read More
Approximately 30 years ago, food manufacturers were competing against the... Read More
You can spot a juicer a mile off at the... Read More
In order to eat fewer calories than you need, you... Read More
I know that the headline is a oldie, but it... Read More
"Organic" has some quite specific legal definitions in most developed... Read More
Originally, all foods were "organic" ? grown and prepared without... Read More
A frequent misunderstanding about macrobiotics is that it is a... Read More
The sugar industry and the food manufacturers are capitalizing BIG... Read More
They're not only good for you, but they taste good,... Read More
Summer brings a lot of fantastic things with it, but... Read More
It is believed that cane sugar was discovered before the... Read More
Strict "no carb" phases of low carb diets have developed... Read More
In order for a person to actually have a healthy... Read More
Finally, a positive solution regarding America's difficult and costly campaign... Read More
A flood of scientific evidence about fish oil points to... Read More
Acid Reflux Disease, or GERD, is a common disease which... Read More
What is Cholesterol?Before we go into how to reduce your... Read More
"The physician who knows only medicine, knows not even medicine."... Read More
Can You Lose Weight Through Eating?You get fat when you... Read More
1. Water. If you're thirsty you're already dehydrated. The majority... Read More
on demand house cleaning Arlington Heights ..Nutrition has everything to do with health. This isn't news,... Read More
Fire ElementAccording to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) there are five... Read More
Bye Bye HolidaysHoping everyone had a fun, fantastic, exciting and... Read More
Despite the fact that accurate nutrition information can be accessed... Read More
You can spot a juicer a mile off at the... Read More
This is usually the forgotten element of most mass programs.... Read More
Wow! Is it just me or? Wait! Let me start... Read More
The old clich? that you are what you eat is... Read More
The research in support of dietary omega-3 fatty acids (such... Read More
It seems as if the health of America is failing.... Read More
If you have a business trip tomorrow morning, you've probably... Read More
AgingHow did aging appeared?If mechanism of Death was chosen by... Read More
I'm going to be a bit radical here, but know... Read More
Your fiber intake is a critical factor in weight loss... Read More
A green and lush oasis in the middle of a... Read More
Nutrition facts have become a part of everyday life because... Read More
Spring in New York City is a really magical time.... Read More
Your Non-Conscious Mind is 98% of your full power. Over... Read More
The story of creation begins with water. Water is an... Read More
Established in 1989 by Stephen DeFelice, "Foundation for Innovation in... Read More
In the last twenty years, a huge and growing body... Read More
It is not a myth. Eating breakfast is an important... Read More
The body is a marvelous creation, a carbon, oxygen combustion... Read More
If you or someone you know suffers from rheumatoid arthritis,... Read More
Diet nutrition physiqueToday, learning about diet nutrition physique isn't all... Read More
Nutrition |