Low Cholesterol Diet Meals

Supplement manufacturers have done a wonderful job of confusing the fitness wanting public. For the last 5 years the bodybuilding community has gobbled up whey protein.

Then research showed that due to its fast gastric emptying properties most of the protein taken in via whey protein is metabolized and burned up in the liver. The whey manufacturers first responded by increasing the number of grams per serving. Why not? More protein would have to be consumed, thus more protein is sold.

Soy found its popularity primarily among vegetarians. The Soy industry watched as whey protein sales skyrocketed, thus, in order to grab their own position, they capitalized within a “health” marketplace, primarily targeting women. Some of the referenced studies are valid, but are not representative of “the whole picture.”

One study looked at two groups of healthy middle aged men that were given isocaloric meals with one group eating soy protein, while the other consumed animal protein. They wanted to find out if there is a decreased propensity of gallstones when animal products are replaced by soy proteins. Very often gallstone accumulation is tied to cholesterol crystallization, so they later examined the participants cholesterol levels.

Cholesterol crystallization was found to be slowed in the soy consuming group. This led to the idea that soy will aid in the prevention of gallstones. Unfortunately, the study failed to address an important point. There was zero control of vegetable intake. Soy is a vegetable and is very high in isoflavones.

There are many benefits associated with the consumption of isoflavones, including a lowering of cholesterol levels. Contrarily, research has shown that the ingestion of meat is associated with an elevated cholesterol levels. This is not to say that people who eat soy will be healthier and have a better cholesterol profile than those who consume meat and vegetables. This just goes to show you that extrapolations drawn from research is often taken out of context and overemphasized.

Scientific studies indicate that there are cancer defeating benefits of a meal plan rich in vegetables like soy. Most people would not assume that people who ingest soy instead of milk, egg-whites, and lean protein will demonstrate improved health, if a physical activity ingredient is included, the study would be invalidated.

Much of the information promoted specific to soy is published by companies with a vested interest in Soy product sales, like The USB (United Soybean Board). This doesn’t mean that soy isn’t an excellent source of protein, rather it shows that the health benefits have been taken out of context to sell Soy products.

As far as metabolism is concerned it appears that you are best off ingesting supplemental protein from a mix of whey & casein protein. The new protein supplements will hit the market and feature this exact combination of proteins. You are best to include a wide a variety of food as possible in your nutrition program.