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The
Joy Of Soy
By Lisa S. Lawless,
Ph.D., Holistic Wisdom C.E.O.
Soy
is an incredible food, in that it makes tasty dishes and is good
for you. Soy is an excellent source of dietary fiber and protein.
It is rich in vitamin B6, which is important in building amino
acids and in the formation of neurotransmitters. Furthermore,
soy is often recommended as an alternative for meat in low-fat
diets.
However,
one of soy's greatest advantages may lie in it being a rich source
of isoflavones- plant hormones that have been linked to several
health benefits. Asia's low rate of heart disease may very well
be linked to their soy-based diet.
The
leading cause of death in the United States is coronary heart
disease, linked to high levels of LDL or "bad" cholesterol. In
recent clinical trials, men and women with high LDL levels were
able to reduce them by consuming soy over an extended period.
In October 2000, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) announced
that certain foods containing soy will be able to claim that they
may help reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. (To qualify,
the food must contain at least 6.25 grams of soy per serving,
one- quarter of the daily recommended serving of 25 grams).
Other
healthy benefits of soy-
Isoflavones
found in soy may help prevent bone loss, therefore lowering the
risk of osteoporosis.
A
soy diet may also play a role in the reduced incidence of menopausal
symptoms among women - in fact, it is thought that plant hormones
will eventually take the place of conventional estrogen-replacement
therapy.
Soy
isoflavones have been credited with reducing the rates of certain
types of cancer. For example, there is some evidence that eating
soy may reduce your risk of developing breast cancer.
Soy
isoflavones were the primary ingredients in a "smart bomb" drug
that the University of Minnesota scientists believe hold the potential
to cure childhood leukemia.
The
Cancer Research Center of Hawaii indicates that consumption of
soy products may help reduce the risk of uterine cancer. Soy is
a wonderful way to get nutrition needs met, but also to prevent
disease.
To
try some a yummy soy bean snack- buy them raw, in their shells,
and steam them. When the beans inside are soft, put a little salt
on the outside shells, and pop them open to get the beans. Tasty!
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