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In October of 1999, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave
permission for companies to market soy protein supplements stating
in their advertisements and on product packaging that soy protein
may reduce the risk of heart disease. This is only the 11th time the
FDA has allowed or endorsed a statement of this magnitude relating
to a dietary supplement. The actual health claim endorsed by the FDA
states: "Diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol that includes 25
grams of soy protein a day may reduce the risk of heart disease." In
order to use this claim, soy protein manufactured must ensure their
products contain at least 6.25 grams of soy protein and must not be
high in saturated fat, cholesterol, or sodium.
The FDA's
willingness to endorse the claim that soy protein may reduce the
risk of heart disease is based on animal studies, clinical studies,
and human studies that show that diets high in soy protein and low
in animal protein lead to decrease levels of cholesterol,
low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides.
However, the actual mechanism of the lipid-lowering effect of soy
protein is still not fully understood.
Soy protein
nutritional supplements have become very popular and many of these
supplements also contain the soy
isflavones genistin, daidzin and glycitin.
Soy protein
may also have antiatherogenic, antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, and
antiosteoporotic activities.
Forms and
Dosage
There are a number of different soy protein
supplements available on the market today. Soy protein supplements
usually contain soy isoflavones. A total daily intake of 25 to 50
grams of soy protein and 50 milligrams of soy isoflavones may have
cardiovascular and other health benefits. This can come from your
diet or from supplemental intake.
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