Soy has positive effects on cholesterol
A previous post reported the American Heart Association’s (AHA) position that soy as a dietary factor has unproven or uncertain effects on cardiovascular disease.
Now, a review of 42 well-designed clinical trials from 1982 through 2004 reports the following positive effects about soy.
- Lowers total cholesterol
- Lowers LDL “bad” cholesterol
- Lowers triglycerides
- Slightly raises HDL “good: cholesterol
These changes were statistically significant, and no other factors could have accounted for the favorable effects of soy.
It’s important because high cholesterol is a major modifiable risk factor for heart disease. Using soy protein in place of foods that are high in saturated fat, trans-saturated fat, and cholesterol may have a beneficial effect on coronary risk factors.
It will be interesting to see if the AHA changes its position on soy.
9/21/06 20:41 JR