| As discussed elsewhere, there is a large body of | | | | Soy contains isoflavones, plant hormones that |
| evidence that shows soy to be an effective | | | | mimic the action of estrogen in the body. |
| natural remedy for high cholesterol treatment. | | | | Estrogen increases HDL (good) cholesterol levels |
| Daily dosages of 30-40 grams of soy have been | | | | and thereby helps in removing high cholesterol |
| seen to reduce cholesterol levels by between 10 | | | | symptoms. Soybeans consist of three major |
| and 20%, making it an effective high cholesterol | | | | isoflavones that promote estrogenic activity and |
| treatment. | | | | naturally treat high cholesterol by increasing HDL |
| High levels of blood cholesterol, also called | | | | cholesterol levels in the blood. |
| hypercholesterolemia, is a medical condition | | | | The FDA approved these findings in 1999, stating |
| responsible for a number of heart related | | | | that low fat diets containing 25 grams of soy |
| disorders, such as heart attack, heart disease, and | | | | protein, which contain less than 3 g of fat, and |
| stroke. Although, cholesterol is required by our | | | | less than 1 g of saturated fat, can lower |
| body to keep our bodies functioning properly, | | | | cholesterol if taken daily. |
| when cholesterol levels increase due to | | | | Polyunsaturated fats |
| environmental factors or inactive lifestyle, the risk | | | | Soybeans are a plant source of cholesterol, and |
| for heart attack and heart stroke arises. This is | | | | as we already know, cholesterol is not a bad thing |
| because high cholesterol in the blood creates | | | | (only high levels in the blood causes problems). |
| plaque deposits in the arteries and hinders the | | | | Soy is rich in polyunsaturated fats, fibers, and |
| flow of blood to heart, also causing high blood | | | | vitamins. Just like any other type of protein, soy |
| pressure( With incidences of hypercholesterolemia | | | | proteins are also have fat content, but contain far |
| on the rise, a high cholesterol treatment is vital to | | | | less saturated fat than animal sources. Therefore |
| control this rising epidemic. | | | | animal proteins and other calorie rich products that |
| Properties of Soy in High Cholesterol Treatment( | | | | can increase the level of bad cholesterol in the |
| We know about results of a number of studies, | | | | blood can be easily replaced by Soya products to |
| yet what is it about soy that makes it so helpful | | | | treat high cholesterol naturally. |
| in the treatment of high cholesterol? It is | | | | In addition, intake of soy proteins can be a natural |
| important to remember that soy has a number | | | | remedy for high cholesterol treatment because |
| of constituents that make it beneficial for overall | | | | soy proteins can bring down bad cholesterol (LDL) |
| health including: protein, isoflavones, saponins, and | | | | levels, and promotes good cholesterol (HDL) levels. |
| phytosterols. Some of these are helpful in high | | | | LDL and HDL are the lipoproteins that carry of |
| cholesterol treatment, whereas others are | | | | cholesterol to cells. LDL is referred to as bad |
| beneficial to the body in other ways. For now we | | | | cholesterol because it causes plaque deposits in |
| will concentrate on the constituents of soy that | | | | arteries and HDL is called good cholesterol |
| make it a natural remedy for high cholesterol. | | | | because it prevents the built up of fat deposits in |
| Isoflavones (phytoestrogens) | | | | the arteries. |