Soya proteins help lowers cholesterol levels

Consuming soya proteins might be slightly beneficial in improving cholesterol levels. Researchers from the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine in New Orleans combined data from 41 clinical trials conducted between 1982 and 2004 and found that people who were given isolated soya protein tended to see a decline in their bad (LDL) cholesterol and triglycerides. Across the studies, soya protein lowered LDL cholesterol by about 4 points, on average. The findings echo those of a recent research analysis by the American Heart Association, which concluded that isolated soya protein lowers LDL cholesterol by only a few points, and that supplements containing isoflavones - oestrogen-like compounds found in soyabeans are ineffective. While the cholesterol benefits of soya may be small, they are not insignificant. Even if there is a small decline (in cholesterol), it could have an important effect on the prevalence of high cholesterol in the general population. The key is to eat soya products like tofu, tempeh or soya nuts in place of foods rich in cholesterol-raising saturated fat or "trans" fats. Saturated fat is found in animal products, so replacing a hamburger with a soya burger could be a heart-healthy move. Trans fats are found in a range of processed foods, including shortening, margarine, cookies, crackers and other snack foods. Soyabeans, on the other hand, contain heart-healthy unsaturated fat, as well as fibre and other nutrients that may help lower cholesterol. However, there's no good evidence, that soya isoflavone supplements helps lower cholesterol.