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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