Most Americans face a struggle with their weight. In fact, despite a decade of infomercials pushing weight loss equipment and pills, Americans are fatter than ever. Many Americans have resorted to dangerous ways of losing weight including risky prescription medications and dangerous herbal supplements. Due to declining estrogen levels, many middle-age women suddenly find it more difficult to maintain their trim figure of previous years. This is a natural part of the aging process. With decreased physical activity, men face the same weight gain problem as they age too. Increased fat levels are thought to lead to increased risk of several diseases, including heart disease, stroke, bone fractures, breast cancer and numerous other cancers. How can soy protein help?

New research has shown that soy, apart from being a low-calorie food, possesses unique weight reducing properties for BOTH women and men of all ages. New research also shows that soy literally 'stops your fat cells!' for both women AND men of all ages. Soy is naturally a low-calorie, low-carbohydrate food, but doctors at Iowa State University have recently documented two key properties of soy protein that help with weight loss independent of calorie content. In other words, soy has inherent medical properties, apart from low calorie content, that help with weight loss!

The study shows that consumption of soy protein rich in isoflavones decreases fat deposition (storage) while increasing muscle mass. The researchers concluded that, "Isoflavone-rich soy may attenuate the increase in fat deposition and prevent loss in lean tissue during menopause." Let's examine these two properties more closely:

• Soy can help decrease the amount of fat your body stores. This means that you convert less calories into fat from the food that you eat.
• Soy can increase your muscle mass. Your muscles burn energy (in the form of calories) for daily maintenance and during exercise. Increased muscle mass burns more daily maintenance calories even if you are not exercising. This means that you lose even more weight just sitting around. Soy can also improve your energy levels (which you can use to start a regular exercise program).

Other weight loss properties of soy protein:

• Soy increases the rate at which your fat cells burn stored fat. Other studies have shown that soy protein increases 'brown fat' activity directly inside of fat cells. In other words, soy protein increases your metabolism!
• Soy makes you feel full. Soy is a low-glycemic index food that minimizes insulin fluctuations. Soy protein prevents your blood glucose levels from soaring, thus reducing large insulin secretions that store glucose as fat in your body. Reduced insulin fluctuations results in fewer "sugar cravings", thus you will feel satisfied until the next meal. Binge eating due to "sugar cravings" often defeats the heroic efforts undertaken by millions in their diets.
• Soy gives you more energy. More energy means that you have more willpower to exercise properly.
• Soy even helps animals to lose weight. Researchers from Fuji Research Institute in Japan found that body-fat content in obese mice decreased significantly when they were placed on a soy protein diet. The soy diet also lowered cholesterol and blood glucose levels. Other Japanese researchers have found that soy nutrients, called saponins, also prevents obesity in mice.

In summary, soy is an excellent dietary choice for low-fat protein that can help you stay fit and trim. If you are trying to lose a large amount of weight, check with your doctor before starting. Make sure that you are also taking a good multivitamin. The FDA, American Heart Association, and North American Menopause Society recommend that Americans eat more soy protein to lower their cholesterol, protect their hearts, and reduce menopausal symptoms. New research shows that eating soy is associated with stronger bones, reduced menstrual disturbances like PMS, and reduced risk of breast, endometrial and prostate cancer.