The Numerous Benefits of Soy in Your Diet

Soy has been getting more and more recognition as the healthier protein and is gaining popularity in the kitchens across North America. Why? Because soy is good for you. It offers an excellent source of cholesterol-free, low-fat protein. Soybeans are the most concentrated source of isoflavones which produce estrogen-like effects on your body. Soy isoflavones can help lower cholesterol, enhance the immune system, reduce cardiovascular risk and protect against osteoporosis.

Here is a quick explanation of the protective properties of soy and how you can benefit from adding soy to your diet:

Soy for your heart - soy has been found to lower bad cholesterol while preserving good cholesterol. Soy also contains lecithin and vitamin E, 2 antioxidants that are good for your heart. Another heart benefit is the isoflavone, genistein, thought to reduce blood clotting and help prevent the formation of artery plaque.
Soy as protection against cancer - the isoflavones, genistein and daidzen, are believed to prevent and sabotage the growth of cancer in 2 ways. First, soy can prevent estrogen from entering cells and may block genes and processes that are necessary for cancer to take hold, to grow and to spread. Second, genistein has been known to activate the helpful genes that promote the self-destruction of cancer cells.
Soy to maintain healthy bones - calcium is the most important nutrient for bone health. Soy allows you to keep calcium in your diet and contains magnesium and boron, 2 nutrients that enhance the positive effects of calcium on your bones.

Therefore, soy has numerous benefits and should be considered as a replacement for certain animal foods in your diet. It provides our bodies with several essential nutrients and is helpful in the prevention and treatment of many diseases. If you are tackling health issues or just want to improve your overall health, start enjoying the numerous benefits of soy by adding it to your diet.

Lynn Burchard is a Wellness Consultant recognized for her dedication and expertise in the field of nutrition, lifestyle and health. She lives with her husband and 4 children in Ontario, Canada and dedicates a large percentage of her time making sure her family stays healthy. She is continuously studying and learning through education, all aspects of nutrition, lifestyle and health that affect day to day living. Her passion is helping others take better care of themselves by providing useful information to those individuals who have been misinformed and bombarded by all sorts of health claims. She has recently written a Free Report entitled "The Health-Wise Report". Head on over to nutritionlifestylehealth.com nutritionlifestylehealth.com and grab your copy today!