FU 22
Soya Protein
and Weight
Loss
Soya protein is not only a low fat, low
Carbohydrate source of whole protein but may also
promotes weight loss when compared with other
protein sources.
In a double blind trial by Professor Forsythe
WA named Soy Protein, thyroid regulation and
cholesterol metabolism. In the trial some Soya
products, which include Soya protein isolate, had a
positive effect of the thyroid and therefore
increasing the metabolic rate in the participants
taking the product, whereas no change was found
in the group taking the placebo.
In another study weight loss Adviser Dr. Steven
Heymsfield took 40 people and 50% went on a low
calorie diet and 50% supplemented with Soya
protein shakes, and at the end of the trail the 20
participants taking the Soya Protein Shakes had
lost more weight than those on the calorie
controlled diet. This quite an amazing find as
despite on part of the trial following what is
classically the way to lose weight, the ones who
simply took soya powder shakes lost more weight.
Other trials such as the one run by Tulane
University School of Public Health showed other
benefits of adding soya protein to the diet such as
stroke risk reduction and blood pressure lowering
qualities. This generally shows how effective and
healthy soya can be. From weight loss to stroke
reduction, soya seems to be a great addition to the
diet.
Countries that have historically had soya as part of
their diet have higher life expectancies than those that
don't, for example Japan and China. Japan has a
higher life expectancy than both the United States of
America and the United Kingdom. There are a number
of factors that can control this, and one single product
cannot be responsible for an entire nation, but diet can
hold a major factor in determining life expectancy.
Protein has been viewed for many years as a good
source of energy for those who want to lose or
maintain weight especially when training. There are
three main reasons for this; one being that Protein is
the slowest digesting of all sources of calories,
therefore does not cause a spike in glucose and takes
more calories to digest. Two, protein has a stimulatory
effect on the thyroid and three, protein helps stop
muscle catabolism caused by the body breaking down
muscle to be used as fuel during exercise.
So supplementing with extra protein can help lose
weight and if that protein is soya protein there is
evidence that this will help even more.