Cholesterol-lowering effect of soy protein in normocholesterolemic and hypercholesterolemic men

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#adult #cross-over-studies #diet #humans #hypercholesterolemia

Cholesterol-lowering effect of soy protein in normocholesterolemic and hypercholesterolemic men

Wong et al., 1998 | Am J Clin Nutr | Rct

Citation

Wong W W, Smith E O, ... Pownell H J. Cholesterol-lowering effect of soy protein in normocholesterolemic and hypercholesterolemic men. Am J Clin Nutr. 1998-Dec;68(6 Suppl):1385S-1389S. doi:10.1093/ajcn/68.6.1385S

Abstract

Cardiovascular heart disease is a major health problem in the United States. Elevated blood cholesterol has been shown to significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular heart disease. The National Cholesterol Educational Program (NCEP) Step I diet, which restricts fat and cholesterol intakes, is usually recommended as the initial treatment to lower blood cholesterol. Soy protein has been shown to be hypocholesterolemic, particularly in hypercholesterolemic subjects. However, the hypocholesterolemic effect of soy protein in subjects with a blood total cholesterol concentration <5.17 mmol/L is not clear. To determine whether soy protein could enhance the hypocholesterolemic effect of the NCEP Step I diet, 13 normocholesterolemic and 13 hypercholesterolemic men aged 20-50 y were enrolled in a randomized, 2-part, crossover study. Subjects were fed either an NCEP Step I soy-protein diet or an NCEP Step I animal protein diet for 5 wk. After a washout period of 10-15 wk, the subjects were fed the alternate diet for 5 wk. The hypocholesterolemic effect of soy protein was found to be independent of age, body weight, pretreatment plasma lipid concentrations, and sequence of dietary treatment. Regardless of plasma lipid status, the soy-protein diet was associated with a statistically significant decrease in the plasma concentrations of LDL cholesterol (P = 0.029) as well as the in the ratio of plasma LDL cholesterol to HDL cholesterol (P = 0.005). Our results indicate that soy protein enhances the hypocholesterolemic effect of the NCEP Step I diet in both normocholesterolemic and hypercholesterolemic men.

Key Findings

Our results indicate that soy protein enhances the hypocholesterolemic effect of the NCEP Step I diet in both normocholesterolemic and hypercholesterolemic men.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population a blood total cholesterol
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range aged 20-50
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Adult
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Diet
  • Humans
  • Hypercholesterolemia
  • Lipids
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Soybean Proteins

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Rct
  • Publication Types: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Vertical: soy

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09