What the Wonders of Soy For Women!

Humble soy beans have some unusual benefits. This nutritious house has been under constant scrutiny for a very long time. Besides being the only vegetable protein that contains all the essential amino acids for our health and well-being, humble soy beans have many other great features… including an excellent base for a quick, safe weight loss program. According to Dr. David Heber in “The LA Shape Diet”, women on a weight loss program need about 100 grams of protein a day to fight hunger and build up their delicate muscles while losing weight. Without the proper level of protein in a low-calorie diet, men and women in particular, risk losing 1 pound of muscle in every 4 pounds of weight lost! This muscle spasm can be very dangerous as it can cause heart failure and other vital organs. Dr. Heber recommends soy-protein shakes or soy-protein fruit smoothies as a safe and healthy way to achieve rapid weight loss and stay healthy. Aside from some of the amazing health benefits, soy is a safe source of protein - with the exception of unwanted cholesterol and saturated fats associated with animal protein sources. Soy will support and not undermine the low calorie weight loss program. Read on to discover some of the amazing health benefits of this incredible food source. 1. Soybeans contain isoflavones that promote health. Isoflavones are compounds found only in plants with strong antioxidant properties. These compounds repair, and help prevent cell damage caused by pollution, sunlight, and normal body processes. Free radicals can easily cause damage to the immune system, whose cells break down constantly. They may also be to blame for some of the changes in aging. 2. Reduce your risk of heart disease. Soy proteins and isoflavones lower LDL cholesterol and reduce blood clotting, which reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke. In one study, people who drank "toothbrush milk" containing 25g of soy protein for nine weeks experienced, on average, a 5% reduction in LDL cholesterol. And people with high LDL levels have dropped by 11%. (With each 10% to 15% decrease in LDL level, the risk of heart attack decreases by 20% to 25%). 3. Cancer protection. Soluble soy fiber protects the body from many food-related colds, such as colon and back cancer. Although its isoflavones may protect the body from many hormonal-related colds, such as breast, endometrial (uterine) and prostate cancer. Isoflavones work against cancer cells in much the same way as most common cancer treatments. 4. Resist the effects of endometriosis. Isoflavones in soy products can help reduce the body's natural estrogen activity, which often causes monthly pain, heavy bleeding and other symptoms of endometriosis. 5. Beware of osteoporosis. Soy protein improves the body's ability to retain and better absorb calcium in the bones, while its isoflavones slow down bone loss and prevent osteoporosis, which helps prevent osteoporosis. There is evidence that isoflavones can also help to create new bones. 6. Control the symptoms of menopause and perimenopause. Soy isoflavones help the body regulate estrogen when these hormones drop or change, helping to alleviate many of the symptoms of menopause and PMS. Studies have shown that soy isoflavones can reduce menopausal menopause in women. 7. Help in managing conditions for diabetes and kidney disease. Soy protein and soluble fiber help regulate blood sugar levels and filter, which helps control the conditions of diabetes and kidney disease. Incredible little bean! With such serious health benefits, how can you ignore this amazing source of food? If you have not already done so, the days are numbered when the only soybean products that came in were the nests of unusual meat flavors. You can now access a wide range of soy products and use soy in a variety of ways to suit any taste buds. (c) 2004 Kim Beardsmore