Soy and Human Health

• The Astonishing Functional Food: Soy Protein and Soy Constituents
• Soy Protein and Coronary Heart Disease
• Soy and Digestive Tract Health
• Soy Foods in Chronic Renal Disease
• How Can Soy Help Diabetes?
• Soy Protein Enhances Energy, Stamina and Sport Performance
• Soy and Cancers
• Soy and Breast Cancer
• Soy and Menopausal Symptoms
• Soy and Pre-Menstrual Syndromes
• Soy and Bone Health
• Losing Weight Healthily with Soy
• Soy and Urological Cancer
• Soy Lecithin and Human Health
• Clinical Abstracts on Soy
• Soy Clinical Reviews in Reputable Medical Journals: 1995-2002

How Can Soy Help Diabetes?

Over 16 million Americans have Diabetes, an illness characterized by "high blood sugar" levels (hyperglycemia). Hyperglycemia can lead to premature heart disease, kidney failure, blindness, nerve damage and poor-healing ulcers on the lower extremities. Many doctors are now recommending soy for diabetics because it addresses 5 major concerns associated with the disease:

1. Soy lowers risk of heart disease (the leading killer of diabetics and non-diabetics). Both the FDA and the American Heart Association officially recommend eating more soy to lower cholesterol and heart disease risk. An exciting new study shows soy protein nutrients reduce negative effects of hyperglycemia on LDL cholesterol. Hyperglycemia is known to change "bad" LDL cholesterol into an even worse form of LDL that causes artery-clogging plaques. Soy nutrients can help slow this process down. (1, 2 and 3)
2. Soy helps maintain kidney health. Consumption of soy protein improves kidney filtration function, and is a recommended protein source for those with Chronic Renal Failure. (4)
3. Soy promotes healthy eye function in diabetic mice by hindering "diabetic retinopathy" (new blood vessel growth over the retina leading to blindness). This property of soy is called "anti-angiogenesis". (5)
4. Soy may decrease neuropathic nerve pain associated with diabetes. Hyperglycemia can lead to nerve damage over the years. Recent studies show that soy protein reduces nerve related pain. (6)
5. Soy protein is great for weight loss. (7) Insulin resistance in Type 2 diabetics is often improved with weight reduction and may even completely disappear with adequate weight loss.

In summary, the medical data suggests that all diabetics can benefit tremendously with the simple addition of soy protein to their diets. The FDA, American Heart Association, and leading health experts recommend public to eat more soy protein to lower their cholesterol, protect their hearts, and reduce menopausal symptoms. New research shows that eating soy is associated with stronger bones, reduced menstrual disturbances like PMS, and reduced risk of breast, endometrial and prostate cancer. Studies also show soy helps you lose weight by blocking storage of fat.