Medical Health Encyclopedia

Soy

Injury Disease Nutrition Poison Symptoms Surgery Test Special Topic

A B C D F G H I K L M N P R S T V W Z

Overview Food Sources Recommendations Side Effects

Soy

Definition:

The soybean has been a part of the human diet for almost 5,000 years. Unlike most plant foods, the soybean is high in protein and is considered equivalent to animal foods in terms of the quality of the protein it contains.

Function:

Text Continues Below

---

Soy in your diet can lower cholesterol. There are many scientific studies that support this conclusion. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) agreed that 25 grams per day of soy protein, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease.

Other potential benefits include:

• fewer menopausal symptoms
• reduced risk of osteoporosis
• possible prevention of hormone-dependent diseases, including breast cancer, endometrial cancer, and prostate cancer

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.