Soy Reduces Cholesterol in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
A study in next month's Journal of Nutrition found that consumption of soy protein may help people with type 2 diabetes lower their cholesterol levels. Study participants who consumed soy protein reduced LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels and the ratio of LDL cholesterol to HDL cholesterol significantly more than those who consumed milk protein. The study participants were 29 adults with type 2 diabetes. This randomized, double-blind study consisted of three phases: a 57-day consumption phase of one protein, a 28-day washout phase, and a 57-day consumption phase of the other protein. The amount of protein consumed from either source equaled 40 grams per day.
High cholesterol is a contributing factor to heart disease, and heart disease affects people with diabetes more than twice as much as those without diabetes.
Pipe EA, Gobert CP, Capes SE, Darlington GA, Lampe JW, Duncan AM. Soy protein reduces serum LDL cholesterol and the LDL cholesterol:HDL cholesterol and apolipprotein B:apolipprotein A-1 ratios in adults with type 2 diabetes. J Nutr. 2009;139:1700-1706.