Soy Protein May Lower Cholesterol

Previous studies have suggested a cholesterol-lowering effect of soy protein, but the mechanism of action has not been well understood. Elaine Krul, of the soy supplier Solae, and colleagues enrolled a group of men and women, ages 18 to 79 years, with elevated cholesterol and not taking any drugs that alter lipid levels.  The subjects followed a dietary regimen that included either soy or milk protein supplementation. The team found that both soy protein and milk protein reduced cholesterol-carrying molecules in the bloodstream, as indicated by reductions in total cholesterol, LDL-C, non high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B.  However, soy protein reduced all of the markers (except LDL-C) significantly more than milk protein, with soy protein reducing total cholesterol by more than twice that which milk protein did.  No changes occurred in either group for fecal bile acids or neutral sterols. The researchers conclude that: “These results confirm that [soy protein] consumption exerts a hypocholesterolemic effect.”