Hypertension, also called high blood pressure, is a condition in which your blood pressure is consistently above the normal range. Normal blood pressure is defined as 120/80 mm of mercury. Hypertension affects people of all ages, both male and female. You have a higher risk of hypertension if your family has a history of high blood pressure. If left untreated, hypertension can lead to stroke. Soy may attenuate the development of hypertension. Ask your doctor to see if soy is OK for you.
Soy and Hypertension
Many people can reduce their chances of developing high blood pressure by following a diet high in soy foods, such as soy yogurt. Researchers at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst found that soy may possess an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitory effect. ACE, or angiotensin converting enzyme, causes blood vessels to narrow and blood pressure to rise.
Potassium in Soy
Sodium in salt makes blood pressure to go up. Potassium-rich foods, such as soy, blunt the harmful effect of sodium on blood pressure, the University of California, Riverside notes. In general, your body absorbs nutrients more easily from whole food sources. However, you may ask your doctor about taking a nutritional supplement. Soy is a good source of potassium. In fact, soy is higher in potassium than meat, poultry and fish.
Dosage
Soy may help to control your blood pressure, but the most appropriate dose and dosing frequency still needs to be determined. Generally, soy is safe at a wide range of intakes. However, you should stay away from supplements that contain concentrated soy isoflavones, which are compounds with estrogenic property.
Safety
If you have a known food allergy, talk to your doctor before switching to a soy formula. The most common signs of soy allergy are itchy hives, weakness, fainting, dizziness, abdominal cramps, headaches, nausea, diarrhea and low pulse. Soy may cause iodine deficiency in your body. Iodine is essential for thyroid hormone synthesis. People with hypothyroidism should avoid soy at all costs.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Hypertension
- Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center: Hypertension
- University of Massachusetts Amherst: Fruit Yogurt Could Play Important Role in Diabetes Management, UMass Amherst Scientists Report; Kalidas Shetty; November. 8, 2006
- University of California, Riverside: Lowering Your Blood Pressure With DASH
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Soy; Steven D. Ehrlich; December. 14, 2009
- "Food Allergies: Let Us Know, WeCare"; Alfonso Tirado; 2005
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