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Non-prescription Cholesterol Lowering

Soy products

By Richard N. Fogoros, M.D., About.com

Created: November 25, 2003

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Soy products have been touted as having so many outlandishly beneficial effects that one feels like a huckster even mentioning them. But the fact is, several well-conducted studies have shown that soy products can reduce cholesterol levels significantly.

“Soy products” refers to the soy isoflavones – estrogen-like substances found in various plants – and soy protein. To produce a reduction in cholesterol levels, both the isoflavones and soy protein apparently must be ingested.

A diet containing 25 grams of soy protein and 50 to 60 milligrams of soy isoflavones per day can reduce LDL cholesterol levels by about 10%.

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