Soy Beans and Weight Loss
I've written about soy beans before (check the AC archives). Soy beans are fast becoming the "next big thing" in a healthy lifestyle. Soy beans can be processed into many ways for easy consumption - for example hotdogs, milk, steaks and ice cream. Most soy bean products (at least those I've tried lately) taste pretty good. Current research being conducted at the University of Illinois on lab rats is demonstrating when soy consumption goes up, an individual's weight goes down. And you can imagine, in weight-loss circles this is pretty exciting news.
According to an article on Webmd.com, scientists discovered that soy consumption increased metabolism in lab rats. Scientists compared soy peptides with leptin. Leptin is a hormone released by your fat cells. Although it has a number of functions, one of leptin's main roles is to let your brain know when your stomach is full. So, lab rats according to webmd.com were injected in the brain with a form of soy protein; then researchers injected leptin as a positive control. When the scientists could see their model was working, they injected two formulations of hydrolyzed soy protein and soy peptides so the scientists could monitor the effects of each on food intake and weight loss.
Injections were given three times a week for two weeks; during that time, the animals had unlimited access to food and water. Food intake was measured 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours after injection, and the rats were weighed 24 and 48 hours after injection. All rats received the same amount of exercise, and all rats lost weight.
This isn't the first experiment that touts the virtue of soy bean protein. According to an article in herbalvitality.info, protein is an excellent "anchor for one's diet because it's a high-quality protein that's low in fat and calories. It also has a low glycemic index, which means it won't trigger a sharp increase and decrease of blood sugar. Recent studies have also shown that soy protein helps reduce hunger and extend the period of feeling "full." And, the FDA states that 25 grams of soy protein per day, with a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease.
Experts say that to receive the full benefits of soy isoflavones, a health expert panel advocates 160 mg a day, which is approximately the amount contained in 6 glasses of soy milk or 6 servings of tofu.
A few words about soy and protein in general. According to naturesbounty.com, protein is necessary for rebuilding tissue, which is especially important for bodybuilders. All types of protein provide the body with amino acids. From an athletic point of view, soy is just another type of protein. Choosing soy protein over other types of protein adds variety to the protein choices available. However, because soy lowers cholesterol, it is an excellent choice for those also trying to lower their cholesterol levels. Soy is a common ingredient in many meal replacements that are designed to provide a large amount of nutrients in a minimal amount of calories. Animal and human studies have suggested that when soy is used as a source of dietary protein, it may have several biological effects on the body that might help with weight loss. In fact, a preliminary study found that people trying to lose weight using a meal-replacement formula containing soy protein lost more weight than a group not using any formula.
Meanwhile, the U of I experiment not only showed that soy peptides could interact with receptors in the brain, it also demonstrated that eating less isn't always the reason for weight loss.
About the Author:
Gary Picariello will give you the gut honest truth about weight loss and the best and worst ways to go about shedding those extra pounds. If you are anxious about losing those dreaded pounds learn about the extreme benefits and side effects of Clenbuterol Weight Loss.
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