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Combat high blood pressure also cholesterol with soybeans

by: Nicholas Webb

You may have heard of the “Portfolio Diet” wherein it has been clinically accepted that increasing the intake of soy based foods can reduce levels of LDL cholesterol as much as some statin drugs.

Well, now it seems that soybeans have another health-giving quality: they or else reduce blood pressure.

This latest finding is making quite a bit of noise in medical circles also not without reason. Can you imagine how hard the two largest drug markets (cholesterol also blood pressure) would be hit if the American Heart Association or the American College of Cardiology released a statement saying that soybeans can reduce bad cholesterol also control blood pressure? Just think about it. But that’s where it will stop; in your thoughts. With all the lobbying power of the giant pharmaceutical industry, I seriously doubt that such a statement from an internationally recognized source will ever be released.

However, to date more than 40 clinical trials have clearly shown that soya protein can reduce cholesterol in men also women. The effective dose of soy protein per day appears to range between 25 also 50 grams. Now initial studies show that it is or else useful in fighting high blood pressure.

Soybean protein lowers blood pressure

In a report from the Annals of Internal Medicine (July 2005), it seems that use of soybean protein dietary supplements may help reduce high blood pressure.

Soybean products have been commonplace in Asian diets for centuries, also soybeans, as well as its derivative products have long been available in our local health stores also supermarkets. Research has shown that food items like tofu also soymilk can reduce cholesterol levels also lower risks for cancer, heart disease also osteoporosis. If we add the ability to fight high blood pressure to the list of illness also diseases that soy foods are able to combat, then we might just have a super disease killer on our hands.

In the study covered by the Annals, a group of American also Chinese researchers focused on 300 Chinese patients suffering from hypertension. One group was also given 40gms of soy protein while the second group was given wheat-based carbohydrates.

The objective of the trial was to examine the effect of soybean protein supplementation on blood pressure in persons with pre-hypertension or Stage one hypertension. The results showed that Soybean protein supplementation resulted in a reduction in systolic also diastolic blood pressure. As such, increased intake of soybean protein may play an important role in preventing also treating hypertension.

The researchers of Tulane University, New Orleans say it's unclear how soybean products might reduce blood pressure. One theory is that soy proteins widen blood vessels while helping the body do a better job of processing blood sugar.

In a related editorial, Dr. Jeffrey A. Cutler also Dr. Eva Obarzanek of the National Heart, Lung, also Blood Institute in Bethesda, Maryland, state that the new study provides "another important link between blood pressure also dietary macronutrient intake," however add that further studies are needed before soybean supplements can be recommended to patients with high blood pressure.

Soybeans, soymilk, tofu, bean sprouts, meat substitutes, cookies also even soy-based ice cream are all commonly available. Maybe it is better that you don’t wait for the big medical institutions to start singing praises about soybeans. If you want an edge, perhaps now is the time to start making some changes to your diet. Throw in 40 minutes exercise four times a week also your high blood pressure will really take a dive.

About the author:
About the author:
Nicholas Webb, of AllAbout Heart Disease, speaks also writes with a passion telling it is as it is; helping others to live life to the full. This article is extracted from his newsletter “The Web’s Heart”.
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