This Valentine's Day Add Soyfoods to Your Plate to Protect Your Heart

WASHINGTON, Feb. 10, 2012  /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Show your loved ones how much you really care by going heart-healthy with soyfoods.

February is American Heart Month and the perfect time to take steps to protect our hearts for the ones we love.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States(1).  The good news is that great tasting and great-for-you soyfoods have a high quality soy protein known to lower cholesterol and protect our hearts(2). Research has shown that the effect of soy protein on blood cholesterol is enhanced when combined with other heart-healthy foods and ingredients, such as fiber, nuts, and plant sterols(3).

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized health claim recognizes that 25 grams of soy protein a day, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease(4). Since 1999, numerous meta-analyses and significant examination of peer-reviewed data have continued to support the FDA health claim(5).

Heart-healthy ideas that will impress that special someone:

• Surprise your sweetie by making them breakfast in bed; heart-shaped pancakes made with soymilk and topped with fresh fruit will start their day off right.
• Plan a picnic in the park; pack sandwiches made with veggie deli slices and soy cheese for a high protein, low saturated fat, cholesterol free meal.
• Coffee shops are the perfect place for an afternoon date; go for the soymilk option when ordering your favorite beverage.
• There's nothing more romantic than a home-made meal; set the mood by serving spaghetti and meatless meatballs with a glass of wine by candle light.

Incorporating soyfoods into your daily diet is easy. For more meal and recipe ideas please visit www.soyfoods.org.  For more information on soyfoods and heart disease, please visit http://www.soyfoods.org/nutrition-health/soy-for-heart-disease.

The Soyfoods Association of North America (SANA) is a non-profit trade association that has been promoting consumption of soyfoods in the diet since 1978. SANA is committed to encouraging sustainability, integrity and growth in the soyfoods industry by promoting the benefits and consumption of soy-based foods and ingredients in diets. More information is available at www.soyfoods.org.

(1) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Be One in a Million this American Heart Month." http://www.cdc.gov/features/heartmonth. Accessed: Feb 6, 2012.
(2) McDonald, A. Radiant Development. Effects of soy protein on total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol: review of published studies 1998-2008. May 23, 2008. Submitted to FDA, June 18, 2008.
(3)  Jenkins D, Jones P, Lamarche B, Kendall C, Faulkner D, Cermakova L, Gigleux I, Ramprasath V, de Souza R, Ireland C, Patel D, Srichaikul K, Abdulnour S, Bashyam B, Collier C, Hoshizaki S, Josse R, Leiter L, Connelly P, Frohlich J. Effect of a dietary portfolio of cholesterol-lowering foods given at 2 levels of intensity of dietary advice on serum lipids in hyperlipidemia .JAMA;2011, 306(8):831-839.
(4) "Food Labeling: Health Claims; Soy Protein and Coronary Heart Disease (Final Rule)." Federal Register 64 FR 57699 (October 26, 1999) p. 57700. Available from: http://www.fda.gov/food/labelingnutrition/labelclaims/healthclaimsmeetingsignificantscientificagreementssa/ucm074740.htm; Accessed: Sept 12, 2011.
(5) Anderson JA, Bush HM. Soy protein effects on serum lipoproteins: a quality assessment and meta-analysis of randomized, controlled studies J Am Col of Nutr. 2011;30:79–91.

The Soyfoods Association of North America
1050 17th Street, N.W. Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 659-3520
Contact: Erica Rose

SOURCE The Soyfoods Association of North America