By: Alex Stewart

We all have women in our lives we love. In the US one in four women die of heart disease. Soy protein is not only the fountain of youth; it's a great insurance policy against a number of illnesses, including heart disease. In addition, soy can alleviate countless menopausal symptoms and is a healthier alternative to animal proteins.

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The Soybean Plant.

Heart Health

Of the 500,000 annual deaths from cardiovascular disease, 267,000 women die from heart attacks - six times as many women as will die from breast cancer.¹ Ingesting 25 grams of soy protein every day, may reduce your risk of heart disease.

Isoflavones found in soy are the antioxidant compounds responsible for this positive effect. Research has found that these powerful antioxidants may improve the health of the lining of blood vessels, which in turn can reduce the risk for heart disease. ^{2, 3} In addition, they may also inhibit certain negative effects of LDL-cholesterol, known as "bad" cholesterol, making the LDL-cholesterol less damaging to arteries. ^{4, 5}

	Isoflavones: Isoflavones comprise a class of organic compounds, often naturally occurring, related to the flavonoids. Many act as phytoestrogens in mammals. Being polyphenols, they are antioxidants. Some isoflavones and isoflavone-rich foods possess activity against cancer, including certain types of breast and prostate cancer. [ http://en.wikipedia.org/ ]

Soy And Diabetes

Heart disease is one of diabetes' major complications. Those with the disease need to pay extra attention to the positive effects acquired from ingesting soy protein. This is because soy protein foods can help to maintain optimal glucose and insulin levels which is critical for Diabetics. ¹⁰

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A Large Variety Of Soybeans.

Soy's Cancer Fighting Effects

Soy contains cancer-fighting phytos. The phytonutrient most prominent in soy protein products is genistein, which has been shown to have anti-cancer properties. ¹⁴ Soy protein also contains phytoestrogen, which has been shown to reduce the risk and spread of prostate cancer. ¹⁴

	Genistein & Phytoestrogens: Genistein is one of several known isoflavones. Isoflavones, such as genistein and daidzein, are found in a number of plants, with soybeans and soy products like tofu and textured vegetable protein being the primary food source. Soy isoflavones are a group of compounds found in and isolated from the soybean. Besides functioning as antioxidants, many isoflavones have been shown to interact with animal and human estrogen receptors, causing effects in the body similar to those caused by the hormone estrogen. Soy isoflavones also produce non-hormonal effects. Phytoestrogens, sometimes called "dietary estrogens", are a diverse group of naturally occurring non steroidal plant compounds that, because of their structural similarity with estradiol, have the ability to cause estrogenic or/and antiestrogenic effects. [ http://en.wikipedia.org/ ]

Soy And Menopause

These wonderful isoflavones found in soy protein, have also recently been found to inhibit post-menopausal bone loss. Several studies have been done comparing bone density in American women and Chinese women who intake a considerably greater amount of soy. The studies showed that the Chinese women were one-third less likely to break a bone. ⁶

What is even more interesting is that one study showed that the effects of isoflavones seem similar to standard hormone therapy, which is known to decrease risk for fractures. ⁷

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These effects are a great option for those who are concerned with the negative side effects that hormone replacement therapy may cause. These side effects include nausea, bloating, increased risk of heart attack, stroke, negative effects on mood to mention just a few.

Aside from the fact that healthy protein levels make for healthy looking hair, soy isoflavones have been found to alleviate women's problem with hair thinning during menopause. Hair loss during menopause can occur as a result of falling progesterone levels caused by ovulation cessation.

Soy isoflavones provide estrogenic effects without the risks involved in using synthetic hormone replacement therapy and thus improve thinning hair. ⁸

Isoflavones found in soy can also help relieve hot flashes. Scientists have observed that women in Asian countries, where soy is a regular part of the diet, are less likely to report hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms than are women in other parts of the world. ⁹

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Females: Do You Take Soy Protein? Yes No Males: Do You Take Soy Protein? Yes No

Soy Protein Is Just Better!

Soybeans are considered by many agencies, including the US Food and Drug Administration, to be a source of complete protein. ¹¹ A complete protein is one that contains significant amounts of all the essential amino acids that must be provided to the human body because of the body's inability to synthesize them. ¹² For this reason, soy is considered to be a great source of protein for vegetarians and vegans.

Yet soy is not just for vegetarians, it is a good replacement for animal based protein since animal based proteins tend to contain more fat, especially saturated fat. Aside from that, soy is easier on your tummy! Between 30 and 50 million Americans [are] lactose intolerant. ¹³

	Lactose Intolerance: Lactose intolerance is the inability to metabolize lactose, a sugar found in milk and other dairy products, because the required enzyme lactase is absent in the intestinal system or its availability is lowered. It is estimated that 75% of adults worldwide show some decrease in lactase activity during adulthood. [ http://en.wikipedia.org/ ]

Symptoms of lactose intolerance following consumption of dairy foods include, gut pain and distension, flatus and diarrhea. ¹³ Though yogurt is known to contain bacteria, which improves intestinal health, it can still be very hard on the stomach. Soy contains nutritionally valuable carbohydrates called "fructooligosaccharides" (FOS), which nourish the helpful intestinal bacteria without the irritation caused by lactose. ¹⁴ For these reasons soy is an ideal alternative to dairy.

For so many reasons soy is a great addition to every woman's diet. Soy can increase heart health, lower cancer risk, increase bone health, and alleviate countless menopausal symptoms. Soy protein contains less fat, no cholesterol and ten times as much fiber as animal protein. It is also much easier on your stomach making it a fantastic alternative to animal proteins and dairy products. All in all it seems soy is pure joy.

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Soy Is A Great Addition To Every Woman's Diet.

If you would prefer not to drink your calories and would rather cook something up in the kitchen, I have some recipes for you. Don't thank me for these recipes, thank my good friend and IFBB Pro Figure Competitor Kristal Richardson for the following yummy recipes below.

View Soy Protein Products Sorted By Top Seller Here.

Soy Protein Recipes

Triple Berry Custard:

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Chill Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 scoop of multi-purpose protein
• 1 cup nonfat plain yogurt (Fage Greek Yogurt is thick and has tons of protein!)
• 1/2 cup of mixed berries (blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries)
• Mint leaf to garnish (optional)

Directions:

• Mix yogurt and multi-purpose protein in a bowl.
• Once all of the protein powder is mixed in and you've created a custard, add in the berries and mix.
• Pour into a glass dessert dish and garnish with a mint leaf. Chill for 20 minutes and serve!

Turkey Egg White Quiche:

Makes: 6 Servings
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 scoop of multi-purpose protein
• 1 large carton of pure egg whites
• 2 packages of extra lean ground turkey
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1 small green pepper diced
• 1/2 small white onion diced
• 1/2 bag of fresh spinach
• Seasoning of your choice

Directions:

• Spray pan with non-stick cooking spray. (Pam Olive Oil Spray) and brown turkey.
• Add peppers, spinach, garlic, onion and seasoning and cook on medium for 2-3 minutes until spinach cooks down.
• Transfer mixture into a 9x13 glass dish and spread.
• Pour egg whites evenly over the mixture.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes.
• Cool and serve!

Berry Protein Pancakes:

Makes: 2 large pancakes
Cook Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 scoop of multi-purpose protein
• 3 egg whites with one yolk
• 1/2 cup oatmeal (optional)
• 10 blueberries
• Splenda to taste

Directions:

• Mix egg whites, protein, and oatmeal together.
• Spray pan with cooking spray and cook on med low heat.
• Add 5 blueberries and Splenda to each pancake as they cook.

Sources:

1. "Women and heart disease fact sheet." Women Heart. 2009. The national coalition for women with heart disease. 3 Feb 2009 http://www.womenheart.org/resources/cvdfactsheet.cfm.
2. Colacurci N, Chiantera A, Fornaro F, et al. Effects of soy isoflavones on endothelial function in healthy postmenopausal women. Menopause 2005;12(3):299-307.
3. Squadrito F, Altavilla D, Crisafulli A, et al. Effect of genistein on endothelial function in postmenopausal women: a randomized, double-blind, controlled study. Am J Med 2003;114(6):470-6.
4. Wiseman H, O'Reilly JD, Adlercreutz H, et al. Isoflavone phytoestrogens consumed in soy decrease F(2)-isoprostane concentrations and increase resistance of low-density lipoprotein to oxidation in humans. Am J Clin Nutr 2000;72(2):395-400.
5. Tikkanen MJ, Wahala K, Ojala S, Vihma V, Adlercreutz H. Effect of soybean phytoestrogen intake on low density lipoprotein oxidation resistance. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1998;95(6):3106-10.
6. Zhang X, Shu XO, Li H, et al. Prospective cohort study of soy food consumption and risk of bone fracture among postmenopausal women. Arch Intern Med
7. Cauley JA, Robbins J, Chen Z, et al. Effects of estrogen plus progestin on risk of fracture and bone mineral density: the Women's Health Initiative randomized trial. JAMA. 2003;290(13):1729-38.
8. "Hair Loss and Thinning at menopause." Educate Your Body. 2009. 3 Feb 2009 http://www.power-surge.com/educate/hairloss.htm.
9. Mayo Clinic Staff, "Hot Flashes: Minimize discomfort during menopause." MayoClinic.com 12Jun2007 3 Feb 2009 http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hot-flashes/HQ01409.
10. Yang G, Shu XO, Jin F, et al. Soyfood consumption and risk of glycosuria: a cross-sectional study within the Shanghai Women's Health Study. Eur J Clin Nutr 2004;58(4):615-20.
11. Chan AY, Cheng ML, Keil LC, Myers BD. Functional response of healthy and diseased glomeruli to a large, protein-rich meal. J Clin Invest 1988;81(1):245-54.
12. A complete protein is one that contains significant amounts of all the essential amino acids that must be provided to the human body because of the body's inability to synthesize them.
13. Sahi T. Genetics and epidemiology of adult-type hypolactasia. Scand J Gastroenterol Suppl 1994;202:7-20.
14. Sears, Dr. "Joy of Soy." AskDrSears.com. 2006. 3 Feb 2009 http://www.askdrsears.com/html/4/T044700.asp#T044701.

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