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The Science Behind Estrosoy


The Science Behind EstroSoy

In today’s fast-paced environment, many people seek to supplement their diets with protein in order to reach optimum health and nutrition levels. EstroSoy Soy Protein Beverage Mix, a delicious and convenient source of soy protein, is just the supplement that you need.

EstroSoy Soy Protein provides all the health and nutritive benefits of a protein supplement in a vegetarian, cholesterol-free, dairy-free format. It contains no added sugar, is suitable for use as part of a high protein diet, and consists of only water-processed Supro® brand soy protein isolate - the world leader in quality soy protein.

Supplementation with soy protein has been shown in scientific studies to safely help lower cholesterol levels and the risk of cardiovascular disease, inhibit the growth of cancer cells, help decrease the risk of osteoporosis, and to be an effective treatment to reduce and prevent the symptoms of menopause. EstroSoy increases the value of soy protein as a supplement with the addition of the enzymes bromelain and papain, both of which enhance the digestibility and bioavailability of the protein.

Soy Protein

Soy is an ideal source of high quality protein. Not only is the protein excellent quality, but it is also 100% vegetarian and 100% dairy-free. Furthermore, soy protein has unique qualities that make it a prime choice for your protein needs.

Soy protein contains molecules known as isoflavone phytoestrogens. Isoflavones are phenolic estrogens and, when soy protein is included in the diet, these molecules are able to act like steroidal estrogen in the human body. The two main isoflavones found in soy protein are genistein and daidzein.

Scientific studies have indicated that eating soy protein, specifically the isoflavonic phytoestrogens it contains, is beneficial in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, cancer, and menopause.

Cardiovascular Disease

The decline in estrogen levels experienced during and after menopause is linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). CVD occurs as blood vessels are choked off by a build-up of plaque, preventing blood flow. The loss of blood flow results in a lack of oxygen, thereby damaging and killing the cells in the affected area. This can cause a heart attack or stroke.

Because plaques are made primarily of cholesterol, and because high cholesterol levels are linked with increased risk of CVD, efforts to reduce the risk of CVD have focused on decreasing the level of total plasma cholesterol. The most common way prescribed to prevent and treat CVD has been through lifestyle changes, including changes in diet. This is where soy protein comes in.

The effects of soy protein on risk factors of CVD have been under investigation for years. Researchers have found that replacing some of the animal protein in the diet with soy protein reduces the risk factors associated with CVD. A recently published meta-analysis (a powerful statistical tool used by scientists to pool all the results from many individual studies) described the effects of soy on blood lipid profiles. This study, which used the results from 38 controlled clinical trials, found that replacing part of the normal dietary animal protein with soy protein reduced the total cholesterol level by 9.3%, reduced low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or "bad cholesterol" by 12.9%, and increased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or "good cholesterol" by 2.4%. The study also found that results were most profound for those people most at risk (those with the highest initial levels of total and LDL cholesterol). Benefits were obtained regardless of the level of fat intake in the diet. Although the scientific community is skeptical by nature, this meta-analysis has provided such rigorous proof of the benefit of soy protein that it is now widely accepted that soy provides benefits for human health.

More recent research has indicated that phytoestrogens are the bioactive component that affects cholesterol profiles in the blood. Increasing the intake of isoflavones will result in the increased secretion of cholesterol in bile acids. By this route, LDL cholesterol is eliminated from the blood stream. The absorption of cholesterol into the blood stream from the gastrointestinal tract is also inhibited by isoflavones. By lowering the levels of total and LDL cholesterol in the blood, isoflavones decrease the risk of plaque formation in blood vessels, thereby greatly diminishing the risk of a major cardiovascular event such as a heart attack or stroke.

The isoflavones genistein and daidzein also possess anti-oxidant properties that prevent the harmful oxidation of LDL cholesterol. The importance of these isoflavone actions is put into perspective when one considers that CVD is responsible for 40% of deaths in North America.

Cancer

The isoflavones genistein and daidzein both have anti-cancer properties as evidenced by their ability to inhibit growth of cancer cells from the breast, prostate, colon and skin. In Japan, where soy is a major dietary constituent, the breast cancer mortality rate is one quarter of that in the United States. The US incidence of clinical prostate cancer is 10-15 times higher than the Japanese rate.

There appear to be a number of mechanisms by which the isoflavones inhibit cancer. Genistein is a specific inhibitor of several important enzymes and arrests cell growth by interfering with signal transduction pathways inside the cells. Additionally, phytoestrogens exhibit many other activities, and they inhibit the actions of cytokines and growth factors, all of which may contribute to the effectiveness of isoflavones as potential anti-cancer agents. <

As cancer is a major cause of mortality in North America, increasing the levels of isoflavones may be an important means of combating this disease.

Osteoporosis

The reduction in estrogen levels during and after menopause is also link with increased risk for osteoporosis and lower bone mineral density. Osteoporosis is the most common type of metabolic bone disease in the North America. It occurs when the body fails to form enough new bone or when too much of the old bone is reabsorbed by the body, or both. Usually, the loss occurs gradually over an extended period of time (years) and most of the time, a person will sustain a fracture before becoming aware that the disease is present. By the time this occurs, the disease is in its advanced stages and damage is profound.

There are a number of causes of osteoporosis, with hormone deficiencies such as decreased estrogen levels in women being the leading cause. Although bones are often thought of as being static, inactive tissue, this is not the case. Bone is constantly being remodeled. Old bone is absorbed by cells known as osteoclasts, and new bone is always being formed by cells known as osteoblasts. Theses two processes are in balance in healthy bones. When more bone is absorbed than is being produced, the bone becomes porous and weak, as occurs in osteoporosis. Estrogen is known to play a critical role in maintaining the balance between old bone absorption and new bone formation. When the level of estrogen drops, as occurs during menopause, the balance is thrown off. Because isoflavones mimic the action of estrogen, supplementation with soy can help ameliorate the loss of bone density associated with a decline in hormone levels.

Menopause

It is estimated that approximately 85% of menopausal and post-menopausal women suffer from symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, irregular menses, and vaginal dryness, all due to changing estrogen levels. Although hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is an option, only 8-17% of these women accept HRT for relief of menopausal symptoms. It seems the risks associated with HRT treatment are too great for the majority of women.

Because of this, more and more women are turning to soy protein. Studies have shown that supplementation with soy protein can be used to treat the effects of menopause without the side effects associated with HRT.

One study, for example, showed up to 45% reduction in hot flashes in patients taking soy protein supplements. Clinical studies have also shown that soy protein and its constituent phytoestrogens can reduce the severity and frequency of other menopausal symptoms such as mood swings, night sweats, and vaginal dryness. The estrogenic effects of phytoestrogens are also linked to moderation of headaches, sex drive, weight changes, and irregular menses.

Bromelain and Papain

Since there is extensive metabolism in the intestines before absorption, the absorption of isoflavones depends on a healthy gut. This is why EstroSoy contains protein digesting enzymes such as bromelain and papain. These enzymes maximize the absorption of nutrients from the digestive tract.

Safety

All of the ingredients in EstroSoy are natural and safe. Soy products have been enjoyed for thousands of years without any safety concerns.

Some people may experience some intestinal discomfort if the dose of soy protein is too high. If this happens to you, cut your dosage back until symptoms disappear. Remember, more is not necessarily better. Follow recommended dosage guidelines for the best results.

This product is not for use by pregnant or breastfeeding women. Consult a physician prior to use if you use prescription medication or if you receive hormone replacements.

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