Saponins
Saponins actually resemble cholesterol in their make up.

They are believed to lower cholesterol either by blocking

cholesterol absorption or by causing more cholesterol to be

excreted from the body. Some research has also indicated

that saponins may reduce colon cancer risk via their

interaction with the intestinal membrane.

Phytosterols
Phytosterols are the equivalent to cholesterol in the plant kingdom.

They also resemble cholesterol in their make up but they are not

absorbed by humans. Phytosterols compete with dietary cholesterol

for absorption by the intestines, resulting in lower

blood cholesterol levels – a fact supported by several clinical studies.

Whilst in the colon, phytosterols inhibit cancer growth by

protecting against the harmful effects of bile acids,

the main breakdown product of cholesterol.

This is why phytosterols are particularly useful in

preventing colon and skin cancers –

by as much as 50% reduced risk in one study.

Oligosaccharides
Soy is also particularly good for the colon as it contains a

class of nutrients called Soy Oligosaccharides,

which react uniquely in the digestive tract.

In the first part of the digestive process they act as

fibre and once in the large intestines they are reacted

upon by the body’s micro-organisms giving rise to a

proliferation of the bifido micro-organisms which

help to prevent colon cancer. Oligosaccharides are

extremely beneficial to health as they are pre-biotics.

Prebiotics are non-digestible food ingredients,

which selectively stimulate the growth or activities,

or both, of lactobacilli or bifidobacteria in the colon.

This effect of the oligosaccharides has been hypothesised

to promote longevity by increasing absorption of nutrients

from food and reducing colon cancer risk.

Increased intestinal flora will also help to lower colonic pH,

increase intestinal transit time and assistance in preventing

constipation. One side effect for people who have not

consumed soy before is a mild case of flatulence,

diarrhoea and abdominal rumbling just until the

oligosaccharides have done their work in realigning

the intestinal flora (approx. one week).

Arginine and the Branched Chain Amino Acids
Soy protein contains the branched chain

amino acids Leucine, Isoleucine and

Valine as well as Glutamine and Arginine.

Soy protein is very high in Arginine and

this amino acid plays a very important role

in stimulating the Human Growth Hormone (HGH).

Recently, there has been a lot of interest in the

Growth Hormone. In youth, the Growth Hormone

is abundant in the body and largely accounts

for muscle building bone and skin growth and

elasticity, reduced stored body fat, energy and

sexual stamina. Daily Human Growth Hormone

secretions begin to diminish with age to the

extent that a 60 year old may secrete 25% of the HGH

secreted by a 20 year old. HGH is primarily released in

pulses that take place during the beginning phases of sleep.

The steady decline in Human Growth Hormone release

results in increased body fat, decreased muscle strength

and tone, immune system malfunction, decreased libido

and sexual performance and decreased skin thickness.

This inevitable aging process is largely but not solely

caused by diminished HGH release. Growth Hormone is

still plentiful within the pituitary gland, but release of

HGH into the blood stream has diminished. Metabolic

assistance is necessary to help the continued release of

GrowthHormone after the age of thirty. Arginine found

in high quantities in soy protein will act as a

Growth Hormone Releasing Agent (GHRA).

This explains why soy protein is having the effects

of reducing body fat by redistributing weight in the

form of body muscle, improved immune system

function and a general feeling of well-being.