Johns Hopkins Health Alert
Soy and Heart Attack Prevention
Although research shows that eating foods high in soy protein does NOT significantly lower LDL cholesterol, soy still has a place in a heart-healthy diet.
Soy is another food component to consider in your efforts to prevent a heart attack. Even though research now shows that eating foods high in soy protein helps lower LDL cholesterol levels by a mere 3%, choosing soy-containing foods (such as soymilk and tofu) can still be beneficial for your heart. That’s because people who eat soy products tend to consume them instead of foods like meat and full-fat dairy products that are high in saturated fat and cholesterol.
Experts once thought that estrogen-like compounds known as isoflavones might be responsible for soy’s beneficial effects. But a recent review of research found that isoflavone supplements had no effect on LDL cholesterol levels.
Indeed, a large research review suggests that a soy burger or glass of soymilk may not be doing much for your cholesterol levels after all. Neither soy protein nor supplements containing soy compounds (isoflavones) are very effective at lowering levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol, according to the review, which was conducted by the nutrition committee of the American Heart Association and reported in the journal Circulation (Volume 113, page 1034).
Across the 22 trials the committee examined, adults who consumed even large amounts of soy protein saw their LDL levels dip by only 3%, on average. Isoflavone supplements did not reduce LDL cholesterol at all. In addition, soy products showed no benefits on blood pressure, HDL cholesterol, or triglycerides, another type of blood fat that contributes to coronary heart disease.
Still, it’s not time to take soy off your menu. In fact, the committee says that replacing hamburgers with soy burgers or whole milk with soymilk, for example, is likely to be a heart-healthy move, because soy products have no saturated fat but do have more healthy fats, fiber, and vitamins and minerals. So continue to eat soy as part of a healthy diet. However, there’s no need to spend your money on isoflavone supplements.
Posted in Heart Health on October 26, 2007
Reviewed September 2011
Medical Disclaimer: This information is not intended to substitute for the advice of a physician. Click here for additional information: Johns Hopkins Health Alerts Disclaimer
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This comment by "henrysoup" should have been posted with the article on stents vs. angioplasty: http://www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com/reports/heart_health/685-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS
The article discusses the pros & cons of bypass surgery, but was not intended to be the final word on all the therapies available to the patient, i.e. EECP. Certainly, there is no intent to promote "more expensive procedures at the cost and risk to the patients." It appears that "henry soup" has misunderstood. -- Editor, Health Alerts
Posted by: Marjorie | November 20, 2007 10:50 AM
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On your recent article explaining the pros & cons of by-pass surgery and stents you never mentioned EECP (Enhanced External Counter Pulsation) why is that ?? I had to put up quite an argument to get EECP treatment when my cardiologist insisted on stents. He eventually complained there was no money in EECP. I was having severe angina attacks five years ago and have not had another one after the first five sessions of EECP. This treatment has been around for close to fifty years, it's non invasive, it is approved by FDA and Medicare and it works !! It appears that your lack of inclusion is monetarily motivated to promote more expensive procedures at the cost and risk to the patients.
Posted by: henrysoup | November 17, 2007 9:54 AM