SOY, Have You Heard the News?

Did you know? The Mighty Soybean comes from a very large legume family; Black Beans, Navy Beans, Lentils, Peanuts, Fava Beans, and Snow Peas.  But truthfully, the Soybean is definitely the overachiever in the family because if offers ISOFLAVONES!



Isoflavones may help protect against several chronic diseases including osteoporosis, coronary heart disease and certain forms of cancer.  So there is great reason to~

Soy a Little Love to Your Health! 

Soy foods have been a part of Asian diets for centuries. Today, there is a growing interest in these foods among westerners because of their health benefits and also because their versatility makes them valuable for replacing meat and dairy foods in the diet.
Soybeans provide excellent nutrition and contain a number of components that may be responsible for a variety of health benefits. However, most of the interest in soy is due to their isoflavone content. Isoflavones have been rigorously studied for their above mentioned protective effects against several chronic diseases including osteoporosis, coronary heart disease and certain forms of cancer.

Soybean Nutrition
Soybeans are unique among legumes, a group of foods that includes beans, peas, and lentils, because they are much higher in protein and healthy fat than other beans, and lower in carbohydrates. The fat in soybeans is primarily a combination of heart-healthy essential polyunsaturated omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. This makes soybeans one of the few plant foods to provide both of the essential fatty acids. The carbohydrates in soy are comprised primarily of simple sugars that have been shown in some studies to act as pre-biotics, thereby stimulating the growth of healthy bacteria in the colon. Soy foods are well digested, and are good sources of protein, B-vitamins and minerals such as potassium, iron, and calcium.

Soy and Health Benefits
Research suggests that incorporating soy into the diet may:

• Boost HDL-cholesterol
• Decrease LDL-cholesterol (the bad cholesterol!)
• Lower Blood Pressure
• Promote artery health
• Help reduce bone fractures in postmenopausal women
• Reduce severity & frequency of hot flashes (by 50%)
• Lower the risk of prostate cancer
• Help decrease breast cancer risk

Set a goal to consume about 15 to 25 grams of soy protein per day, or roughly 1 to 3 servings.  Add a little Soy to your health.  Your body will thank you in many ways! 

Of course no single food can prevent all diseases, but smart diet and lifestyle choices can have a big impact on disease risk. Soy foods offer a simple and appealing way to begin making smart changes. While grains, legumes and certain vegetables provide small amounts of isoflavones, soybeans provide a more concentrated amount of isoflavones than any other food.

Products made from soybeans include tempeh, natto, miso and tofu. Soybeans picked and eaten in their natural green state are called edamame. Other sources of soy include soy milk, soy yogurt, soy cheese and soy-based meat substitutes, and soy powdered mix.  When choosing Soy products, I suggest avoiding GMO (genetically modified organisms) for a variety of reasons and suggest choosing organic when possible.

I have fallen in love and have used the Shaklee Soy Protein for over 25 years! I love them as their powders mix well, offer a healthy low-fat, non-GMO, complete protein containing all 9 essential amino acids. They offer 23 grams of healthy soy protein per serving, 23 vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, omegas, and offers 6g of fiber. 

They are a delicious way to fuel your body with high-quality & healthy protein. And as an added bonus- hour after hour, they offer a measurable energy lift!  Our powders also make a deliciously healthy meal or snacks. See below or use link to find a simple & delicious smoothy recipe!




Wishing you a Soy happy day.
Want to learn more about Soy and Clinical Research? Click link to review info by Dr. Messina, PhD, MS