Soy gets thumbs up

Numerous studies have been conducted to determine the health benefits of soy, including whether it can help reduce the levels of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and thus reduce the risk of heart disease. But conflicting results have made it difficult for doctors to know if they should recommend the bean protein to their patients.

A new meta-analysis (a review of numerous previously conducted studies) shows that soy protein is indeed beneficial for helping to reduce total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, while slightly increasing HDL (“good”) cholesterol.

“Our results indicate that soy protein supplementation reduces serum lipids among adults with or without high cholesterol levels,” said Kristi Reynolds, Ph.D., assistant professor of epidemiology at Tulane University School of public health. “Based on these findings, we recommend that people replace foods high in saturated fat, trans-saturated fat and cholesterol with soy protein. The evidence indicates that this may reduce the risk of heart disease.”