The Science Behind Soy March 13, 2014

The Science Behind Soy

The SLMsmart Health Shake packs an important, powerful blend of three proteins that each release at different intervals of digestion. This post will focus on one of those important proteins: Soy.

People have been eating soybeans for millennia, particularly in many Asian countries where soy is an important part of the diet. Soy protein offers many health benefits.

A Complete Protein
Soy is a complete protein, which means that it contains all of the amino acids required for growth and development. And, in soy, these amino acids are readily bioavailable. The quality of a given protein is rated using a method called “Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score” (PDCAAS). The PDCAAS score rates proteins for their amino acid content and the body’s ability to digest and absorb those amino acids. The highest possible score is a 1, meaning that after digestion the protein source provides 100% or more of the essential amino acids per unit of protein. Soy protein has a PDCAAS of 1. By comparison beef protein has a score of 0.92, black beans, 0.75 and peanuts, 0.52.

Heart Benefits
Soy protein has been shown to benefit the circulatory system. To whit:

• Since 1999, the FDA has allowed the claim stating that 25 grams of soy protein per day is associated with a lower risk of coronary heart disease. Substituting soy protein for animal protein can lower blood levels of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol.
• Researchers from Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine found that a daily 40 gram allotment of soy protein was associated with significant reductions in e-selectin and leptin, two biomarkers of inflammation associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease¹.

Isoflavones
Soy protein contains isoflavones, phytoestrogens that bind to estrogen receptors in the body. Isoflavones exhibit both estrogen-promoting and estrogen-inhibiting activity. Much of the research on soy protein revolves around the action of isoflavones in the body.

• Population studies suggest that soy consumption is associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer²  and may help protect against hormonally regulated cancer3.
• Soy isoflavones are reported to reduce menopause symptom^4,5.
• Soy isoflavones appear to modestly protect against bone loss in women⁶.
• Isoflavones offer a protective benefit to men in the form of reducing the risk of prostate cancer⁷.

Soy in Synergy Products
Synergy manufactures and rigorously tests its own products. Additionally, our Quality Assurance team does independent audits of every Soy vendor that sends us raw material. We check to make sure the source of soy is sanitary,safe and abiding by correct practices. Then, every batch of soy that comes through the doors of our manufacturing facility goes through many tests where we look for harmful chemicals, radiation, impurities, dangerous modifications and more.

Anyone seeking to get the benefits of soy into their diet should choose Synergy products as the safest source. To learn more about our commitment to safety, purity and quality, click here.

Make a Smart Switch
Increase your protein intake and enjoy a wide variety of benefits with the help of Health Shake. Including soy, casein and whey protein, Health Shake is a smarter meal that curbs appetite, protects muscle, provides energy and promotes healthy, maintainable weight loss.

REMEMBER: This month you can get a free container of Health Shake with the purchase of 5. That’s enough Health Shake to smart-switch one meal per day for a whole month. Order your Health Shake today, and don’t forget to enter for a chance to win big prizes in our Smart Switch Challenge!