Men’ s Health: Natural health approaches for better prostate health
isoflavones and estrogen exert different physiologic effects and the molecules are different, too. Isoflavones can affect selective tissue due to the binding and transactivation of the estrogen receptor beta.
Soy foods are extremely useful in helping men meet their protein requirements while providing low levels of saturated fat. In fact, soy foods can be provided as protein-rich options. Evidence indicates that there is reduced stress on the kidneys and they may be more beneficial over other proteins by reducing exercise-induced oxidation and inflammation. This means that soy protein can be useful for those who wish to increase muscle mass.
Phytosterols The oil of the Soybean contains approximately 300 to 400 mg of plant sterols per 100 g. The major components of soy sterols are sitosterol( 53 to 56 %), campesterol( 20 to 23 %) and stigmasterol( 17 to 21 %). These phytosterols differ from cholesterol in the side chain structure. Sterols are different from stanols in terms of being unsaturated versus saturated at the C5-C6 double bond in their B-ring. They are proven to have cholesterol-lowering activity, although there is still some confusion as to why.
Phospholipids The oil of the Soybean contains 1-3 % phospholipids among which 35 % is phosphatidyl choline, 25 % is phosphatidyl ethanolamine, ~ 15 % is phosphatidyl inositol and ~ 5-10 % is phosphatidic acid. During the degumming process, phospholipids are removed from the oil and then used as a natural food emulsifier. These are polar lipids, contributing to the structure of the cell membrane.
Saponins There is currently much scientific interest in saponins as they have unique chemical structures and physiological functions. Soybeans contain 2 % saponins( triterpene glycosides). Soy saponins are found to have various biological effects, including anti-cancer, anti-oxidative, hepatoprotective, anti-hyperlipidemic, etc.
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