|
by: Nicholas Webb
You may have heard of the “Portfolio Diet” wherein it has been
clinically accepted that increasing the intake of soy based foods
can reduce levels of LDL cholesterol as much as some statin drugs.
Well, now it seems that soybeans have another health-giving quality:
they also reduce blood pressure.
This latest finding is making quite a bit of noise in medical
circles and not without reason. Can you imagine how hard the two
largest drug markets (cholesterol and blood pressure) would be hit
if the American Heart Association or the American College of
Cardiology released a statement saying that soybeans can reduce bad
cholesterol and control blood pressure? Just think about it. But
that’s where it will stop; in your thoughts. With all the lobbying
power of the giant pharmaceutical industry, I seriously doubt that
such a statement from an internationally recognized source will ever
be released.
However, to date more than 40 clinical trials have clearly shown
that soya protein can reduce cholesterol in men and women. The
effective dose of soy protein per day appears to range between 25
and 50 grams. Now initial studies show that it is also useful in
fighting high blood pressure.
Soybean protein lowers blood pressure
In a report from the Annals of Internal Medicine (July 2005), it
seems that use of soybean protein dietary supplements may help
reduce high blood pressure.
Soybean products have been commonplace in Asian diets for centuries,
and soybeans, as well as its derivative products have long been
available in our local health stores and supermarkets. Research has
shown that food items like tofu and soymilk can reduce cholesterol
levels and lower risks for cancer, heart disease and osteoporosis.
If we add the ability to fight high blood pressure to the list of
illness and diseases that soy foods are able to combat, then we
might just have a super disease killer on our hands.
In the study covered by the Annals, a group of American and Chinese
researchers focused on 300 Chinese patients suffering from
hypertension. One group was and given 40gms of soy protein while the
second group was given wheat-based carbohydrates.
The objective of the trial was to examine the effect of soybean
protein supplementation on blood pressure in persons with
pre-hypertension or Stage 1 hypertension. The results showed that
Soybean protein supplementation resulted in a reduction in systolic
and diastolic blood pressure. As such, increased intake of soybean
protein may play an important role in preventing and treating
hypertension.
The researchers of Tulane University, New Orleans say it's unclear
how soybean products might reduce blood pressure. One theory is that
soy proteins widen blood vessels while helping the body do a better
job of processing blood sugar.
In a related editorial, Dr. Jeffrey A. Cutler and Dr. Eva Obarzanek
of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute in Bethesda,
Maryland, state that the new study provides "another important link
between blood pressure and dietary macronutrient intake," but add
that further studies are needed before soybean supplements can be
recommended to patients with high blood pressure.
Soybeans, soymilk, tofu, bean sprouts, meat substitutes, cookies and
even soy-based ice cream are all commonly available. Maybe it is
better that you don’t wait for the big medical institutions to start
singing praises about soybeans. If you want an edge, perhaps now is
the time to start making some changes to your diet. Throw in 40
minutes exercise four times a week and your high blood pressure will
really take a dive.
About the author:
About the author:
Nicholas Webb, of AllAbout , speaks and writes with a
passion telling it is as it is; helping others to live life to the
full. This article is extracted from his newsletter “The Web’s
Heart”.
To subscribe, or read other articles visit
http://www.allabout-heart-disease.com/webs-heart-subscribe.htmlTo
learn more about how to beat heart disease and get into shape visit:
http://www.allabout-heart-disease.com
|
