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Whey Vs. Soy Protein for Women

May 26, 2011 | By Gord Kerr
Whey Vs. Soy Protein for Women
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Soy and whey protein may be useful for women with concerns including menopausal symptoms, weight loss, muscle strength and cardiovascular and bone health. The addition of soy and whey products can supplement the protein in your diet without adding excessive fat and provide health benefits.

Identification

Soy protein is derived from soybeans and provides benefits through its high amino acid content. It has been found to lower cholesterol and speed up metabolism of the thyroid. Whey protein comes from milk as a byproduct of the cheese making process. It is an antibacterial compound that is most associated with body weight and bone health. Protein is broken down into amino acids, but the body can only make 11 of the 21 needed for good health. The remaining 10 "essential" amino acids must be obtained from food; both whey and soy contain complete proteins.

Menopause

Soy is often used as an alternative to estrogen therapy in post-menopausal and peri-menopausal women. Studies on the effectiveness of soy for menopause has been promising but controversial. Although soy may not relieve all menopausal symptoms, soy has shown to reduce the occurrence of hot flashes in a 2000 pilot study published in Menopause, the Journal of the North American Menopause Society. Participants, who received standardized soy extract, had a reduction in the mean number of hot flushes per week after a six week study. Conclusions suggested that soy might be a safe and efficacious therapy for women who experience hot flashes. Whey has not been shown to have an effect on relief from symptoms of menopause.

Osteoporosis

Both whey and soy protein may be beneficial for preventing the development of skeletal disorders. Whey contains lactoferrin from milk, which promotes bone growth. The International Journal of Dairy Technology published a study tin 2009 that demonstrated the calcium binding properties of peptides derived from whey and found that whey encourages the absorption of calcium. Soy also plays a role in bone health. Oklahoma University in Stillwater cited earlier studies that reported soy protein increased lumbar spine and bone mineral content. However, their studies on the effect of soy on bone were inconclusive. The "Journal of the American College of Nutrition," 2001 reported further studies are necessary to prove soy prevents bone loss.

Weight

Soy and whey protein are commonly used by athletes to promote lean muscle mass and enhance performance by decreasing body fat. A study at the University of Wollongong, Australia compared whey to soy and other protein sources and found whey protein to be the most effective in stabilizing body mass. As published in "Nutrition & Dietetics," 2008, whey protein decreased appetite the most. Whey also stimulated the production of a high level of adiponectin, a fat metabolism regulator, and produced the lowest insulin levels.

Cancer

Whey protein has been shown to have an effect on cancer prevention. Studies conducted at McGill University, Quebec in 1991 suggested that dietary milk products, such as whey, inhibited the development of several types of tumors. Conclusions were that whey protein has a substance called gluthathione, which effects carcinogenesis, as published in Cancer Letters. Some evidence has suggested that the oestrogen-like compounds in soy may be linked to breast cancer. The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment in Germany says menopausal women could be at risk for developing cancer with long-term intake of soy. Conflicting evidence was reported by Top News U.K., which cited a study by the Cancer Hospital of Harbin Medical University in China. Conclusions of the research found a 12.9 percent reduction in the recurrence of breast cancer in 524 females that had undergone previous surgery for breast cancer.

References

Article reviewed by Melanie Zoltan Last updated on: May 26, 2011

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