Lose Weight With Soy!

The humble soybean boasts some extraordinary benefits. This
nutritional powerhouse has stayed under wraps for too long.
Apart from being the only vegetable protein with all amino acids
essential for our health and well being, the humble soybean has
many other virtues…including an excellent foundation for fast,
safe weight loss program.

According to Dr David Heber in “The LA Shape Diet” women who are
on a weight loss program, need about 100 grams of protein per
day to fight against hunger and to build their best personal
lean muscle shape whilst still losing weight. Without the
appropriate level of proteins in a low calorie diet, people and
women in particular, risk losing 1 pound of muscle for every 4
pounds of weight lost!

Dr Heber recommends soy-protein shakes or soy-protein fruit
smoothies as a safe and healthy way to achieve fast and
permanent weight loss. Apart from the wonderful health
advantages of soy, this a safe protein source without the
unwanted cholesterol and saturated fats that accompany animal
protein sources and sabotage low calorie weight loss programs.

Read on to discover some other wonderful benefits of this
incredible this food source.

1. Soy contains health enhancing isoflavones. Isoflavones are
compounds found only in plants which have strong antioxidant
properties. hese compounds repair, and help prevent damage to
cells caused by pollution, sunlight, and normal body processes.
Free radicals can easily cause harm to the immune system, whose
cells divide often. They may also be responsible for some of the
changes of aging.

2. Reduce risk of heart disease. Soy’s protein and isoflavones
lower LDL cholesterol and decrease blood clotting, which reduces
the risk of heart attack and stroke. In one study, people who
drank a “milk shake” containing 25g of soy protein for nine
weeks experienced, on average, a 5% reduction in LDL
cholesterol. And people with the highest LDL levels experienced
a 11% drop. (For each 10% to 15% drop in the LDL level, the risk
of a heart attack decreases 20% to 25%).

3. Protection against cancer. Soy’s soluble fiber protects the
body from many digestive related cancers, such as colon and
rectal cancer. While its isoflavones may protect the body from
many hormone related cancers, like breast, endometrial (uterine)
and prostate cancer. Isoflavones act against cancer cells in a
way similar to many common cancer-treating drugs. 4. Counter the
effects of endometriosis. The isoflavones in soy products may
help to offset the action of the body’s natural estrogen, which
is often responsible for instigating the monthly pain, heavy
bleeding and other symptoms of endometriosis. 5. Protect against
prostate problems. Eating soy products may protect against
enlargement of the male prostate gland. The size of the prostate
gland tends to increase with age, causing various types of
urinary difficulties, including frequent nighttime awakenings.

6. Guard against osteoporosis. Soy’s protein enhances the body’s
ability to retain and better absorb calcium in the bones, while
its isoflavones slow bone loss and inhibit bone breakdown, which
helps prevent osteoporosis. There is evidence to suggest that
isoflavones may also assist in creating new bone.

7. Control symptoms of menopause and perimenopause. Soy’s
isoflavones help the body regulate estrogen when this hormone is
declining or fluctuating, which helps alleviate many menopausal
and PMS symptoms. Research has shown that soy isoflavones can
reduce menopausal hot flushes in women.

8. Help control diabetic conditions and kidney disease. Soy’s
protein and soluble fiber help regulate glucose levels and
kidney filtration, which helps control diabetic conditions and
kidney disease.

What an incredible little bean!

(c) Kim Beardsmore

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