FAQ

 

Are DrSoy Products vegetarian, kosher, vegan, and wheat free?

 

 

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What makes soy protein special and so important to health? Soy protein is extracted from the soybean. The soybean is among the very few plants that provide a complete protein source. Soybeans contain the essential amino acids that form what is known as a complete protein. Since the body cannot synthesize essential amino acids, they must be obtained from food. Some of these amino acids are: lysine, tryptophan, leucine, phenylalanine, methionine, histidine, isoleucine, threinine, and valine. Soy foods have become more widely available in the Western culture at the very time extensive research has confirmed that we need to consume less fat and more fiber. In addition, while protein intake is essential because we require amino acids and nitrogen, most people in Western counties consume more than is needed to build and maintain health. The standard established by the National Research Council serves as a guide. We need about half a gram of protein per kilogram (2.2 pounds) of ideal bodyweight. Proteins vary in quality and as a precaution 0.8grams serves as a guideline to ensure adequate protein consumption. This means that a woman whose ideal weight is 140 pounds needs to consume about 51 grams of protein a day. The harmful consequences of basing a diet on animal protein comes from the fact that these foods are relatively high in saturated fat and cholesterol, and they contain no fiber at all. Thus the Western diet is relatively low in fiber when compared to a typical vegetarian diet, which relies on grains, beans, legumes, vegetables, fruits, and nuts to supply protein and fiber in the diet. Because the soybean provides high-quality protein and is relatively low in fat contents and includes generous amounts of many vitamins and minerals and in many of its consumable forms, contains fiber, all contribute toward making the soybean special and important to our health. Back to top

 

What are isoflavones? Soy isoflavones are a unique group of phytoestrogens; a type of phytochemical or naturally occurring compounds in plants. Soy is the single most important source of phytoestrogens. The highest levels of isoflavones for human consumption are almost exclusively in soy. Soy isofalvones have versatile and potent pharmaceutical effects, and their actions in the body are well-defined. Isoflavones can exert powerful antioxidant effects and have antiangiogenic activity, which means hat they interfere with blood vessel growth, an important cancer-fighting property. Isoflaovones are known to inhibit enzymes that promote the growth of several types of cancer. In laboratory experiments, isoflavones have been shown to directly suppress the growth of many types of cancers, prostrate disease and estrogen-stimulated cancers. They are considered by most researchers to be responsible for the observed health benefits of soy (lowering cholesterol, reducing menopause discomforts, prostrate disease, estrogen-stimulated cancers and preventing osteoporosis). This has led some companies to extract the isoflavones and use them in supplement form. But many believe that the health benefits are maximized when the isoflavones are consumed as part of soy protein. Other possible beneficial phytochemicals in soy include saponins, phytic acid, and protease inhibitors. Three of these isoflavones - daidzein, genistein, and glycetin - are considered the most important and have attracted wide interest because of their potential health benefits. These isoflavones offer versatile health benefits and their value extends to a great many areas of human health. Back to top

 

What are the side effects of consuming soy protein? There are no side effects of consuming soy protein. Soy is one of the oldest foods known to human kind, and has been a staple of the Asian diet for centuries. Back to top

 

Does consuming soy protein cause GI problems such as gas and bloating? All DrSoy protein bars and cookies are made with a soy protein isolate which is specially processed and should not produce gas or flatulence, as it is essentially free of flatulence-producing carbohydrates as found in many products made from the whole soybean. Back to top

 

Does soy protein affect the absorption of minerals like iron? The FDA has taken the position that available data provides no evidence linking iron from soy and soy protein products to health problems in any segment of the population. The United States Department of Agriculture additionally concluded that a diet containing soy protein does not significantly change (and may actually improve) blood iron levels. Back to top

 

Will adding soy protein increase the cost of foods? Soy protein can actually cost less than milk, egg and meat. In addition, soy protein can add value to food products because of the many health benefits associated with eating foods containing soy protein. Back to top

 

What is isolated soy protein? Isolated soy protein is 90 percent protein on a dry weight basis, with virtually all of the fat and carbohydrate removed. Processed from whole soybeans, isolated soy protein is fundamentally an ingredient to be incorporated into foods and beverages. Because of its high protein concentration, isolated soy protein offers food manufacturers an ideal way to incorporate into their products the necessary amount of soy protein needed to qualify for the health claim label. Back to top

 

What is the difference between Isolated Soy Protein, Soy Protein Concentrate and Soy Flour? On a dry weight basis, isolated soy protein is 90% protein, soy protein concentrate is 70% protein and soy flour is 50% protein. Back to top

 

Where does soy protein come from? Soy protein is found in the soybean, which is one of the world's most common forms of vegetable protein. Approximately 40 percent of whole soybeans consist of protein. More than 60 percent of the world soybeans are grown in the United States and in the year 2000 the U.S. soybean crop was valued at more than $18 billion. In the U.S., soybeans are grown on more than 70 million acres on more than 300,000 farms across the nation. Back to top

 

How can Americans get enough soy in their diet to make a difference? According to research, 25 grams of soy protein in a daily diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol can help reduce the risk of heart disease. Twenty-five grams divided into four servings a day is just over six grams of soy protein per serving. DrSoy products are designed as such to contain high levels of soy protein. Two or three servings of DrSoy can easily provide 25 grams of soy protein a day in a deliciously healthy way. Back to top

 

What are the health benefits related to consuming a diet containing DrSoy brand? DrSoy products have been and continue to be used in many of the clinical trials on the health benefits of soy protein. There are numerous clinical studies that have been conducted demonstrating the ability of soy foods to lower blood cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. There is additional ongoing research to study potential health benefits of soy in general and DrSoy products in particular for women's health, cancer, and for the maintenance of bone health. Research also indicates performance benefits for athletes who consume DrSoy products. Back to top

 

How does isolated soy protein work to lower cholesterol? Various bioactive components in soy protein have been suggested to explain the cholesterol-lowering effects of soy protein. Studies have shown that soy protein enhances bile acid secretion, which has the effect of removing cholesterol from the blood. Other studies have shown that soy protein stimulates the liver to remove LDL-cholesterol from the blood. Several studies have also suggested that the amino acid profile of soy protein as well as bioactive components such as isoflavones are crucial cholesterol-lowering components. Back to top

 

Is there any downside to consuming soy protein? No, there is no downside to consuming soy protein as part of a balanced diet. Soy is one of the oldest foods known to mankind, and has been a staple of Asian diets for centuries. Back to top

 

Who should eat soy? In general, it would be a health benefit to most people to substitute soy protein for some of the animal protein in their diet. There are however, certain groups that can get very specific benefits from soy protein. Soy, as part of a balanced diet low in fat and cholesterol, can help reduce the incidence of coronary heart disease in everyone. This is particularly important because more than 750,000 Americans die each year from coronary heart disease, for which elevated cholesterol levels are a contributing cause. The American Heart Association estimates that more than 60 million Americans have one or more type of cardiovascular disease, such as coronary heart disease, stroke, hypertension, or rheumatic heart disease. As Americans become more and more health conscious, many people and their physicians will look to soy-based foods as a practical approach in controlling cholesterol and coronary heart disease and reducing America's dependence on drug therapies. Back to top

 

What is the scientific basis for the health claim? More than 20 years of accumulated scientific evidence and over 50 trials in humans have been analyzed in support of this claim. There also is suggestive epidemiological data provided by the low incidence of heart disease in Asia, where soy has been a primary protein consumed for more than two thousand years. Back to top

 

Do all soy-based foods qualify for the health claim? A wide variety of soy-based foods will qualify for the health claim. In addition, food manufacturers are developing new foods to meet increasing demand for products containing soy. However, not all soy-based foods qualify since not all soy products contain the 6.25 grams of soy protein per serving or meet the fat, cholesterol or sodium requirements needed to meet the claim's specifications. Products containing isolated soy protein, however, make it easier for consumers to get the recommended 25 grams of soy protein in the proposed four servings per day. Back to top

 

What impact will the FDA Health Claim have on the health of the American consumer? Soy protein has the potential to have a profound impact on public health via the reduction of cholesterol levels and coronary heart disease, which kills about 1 million Americans each year. We know soy protein can reduce cholesterol, and there's evidence to show that populations that consume soy foods regularly have lower rates of breast, colon and prostate cancers, reduced incidence of osteoporosis and menopause symptoms. Further studies are ongoing which will clarify the role of soy in relation to these issues. Back to top

 

Can people be allergic to soy? The incidence of allergy to soy is very low. As with all food products, there are certain people who may be allergic to soy. Allergy to soy is found in only about 0.5% of the American adult population. Back to top

 

How many Americans have high cholesterol? According to the American Heart Association (1999), about 99.5 million adults have cholesterol levels over 200 mg/dl. About 27 million children, aged 19 or under, have cholesterol levels of 170 or higher, which is comparable to 200 in adults. Back to top

 

Can soy reduce exercise oxidative stress? Although exercise is generally considered health promoting, it does create oxidant stress, which can contribute to muscle soreness, inflammation and eventually fatigue. For active people, it not only means time away from the gym but it has been implicated in many diseases including cancer. Soy protein can consistently produce antioxidant effects in humans and therefore consumption of soy protein with its naturally occurring isoflavones may help in reducing muscle inflammation. Robert DiSilvestro, Ph.D., professor of Human Nutrition at Ohio State University, recently completed a study with 20 athletic college men undergoing an exercise training program who were fed either 40 grams of soy protein with its naturally occurring isoflavones or 40 grams of whey protein as a beverage. The group consuming soy protein showed a significant increase in plasma total antioxidants status (TAS) while the group fed whey did not experience any increase. Thus soy protein produced antioxidant effects in athletes; whey protein did not. This increase in plasma TAS was associated with the reduction of muscle enzymes in the blood including creatine kinase and myloperoxidase. Creatine kinase is a marker for muscle damage and myloperoxidase is a marker for inflammation. "Adding the benefits from the clinically researched soy protein into your diet is a great option, particularly for recreational athletes who tend to push themselves at irregular times" says DiSilvestro. Back to top

 

Is soy good for men? Over the past few years, some scientists and healthcare professionals have raised concerns about eating soy. Their concern is that soy's isoflavones, which mimics the hormone estrogen, have been shown to diminish the symptoms of women in menopause. Therefore they were concerned that perhaps soy could cause problems for those whose bodies do not need much estrogen such as men. The taboo that soy is only good for women has been proven wrong by the extensive studies done on the history of the Asian populations, which have used soy foods regularly in their diet for centuries, and have not shown any sign of adverse effects of using soy as a staple food in a well-balanced diet. Back to top