A soybean protein blocks LDL cholesterol production, reducing risks of metabolic diseases (B-conglycinin in soy flour)

Medical Xpress / University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign / Antioxidants ^ | Jan. 23, 2023 | Sharita Forrest / Miguel Rebollo-Hernanz et al

[ConservativeMind]

A protein in soybeans blocks the production of a liver enzyme involved in the metabolism of triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein, scientists found in a recent study.

Consuming soy flour rich in the protein B-conglycinin has the potential to reduce LDL cholesterol levels and lower the risk of metabolic diseases such as atherosclerosis and fatty liver disease, said Elvira de Mejia.

They identified 13 bioactive peptides produced during digestion, most of which came from glycinin and B-conglycinin.

In testing the digested materials' capacity to inhibit the activity of HMGCR, a protein that controls the rate of cholesterol synthesis, the researchers found that their inhibitory properties were 2-to-7 times less potent than simvastatin, a popular drug used to treat high LDL cholesterol and fat levels in the blood that was used as a control in the study.

"One of the key risk factors of atherosclerosis is oxidized LDL cholesterol; therefore, we investigated the preventive effects of the soybean digests at eight different concentrations," de Mejia said. "Each of them reduced the LDL oxidation rate in a dose-dependent manner, inhibiting the formation of both early and late oxidation products associated with the disease."

Greater concentrations of B-conglycinin in the digests correlated with larger reductions in oxidized LDL, esterified cholesterol, triglycerides and HMGCR levels in plasma, the team found.

"The digested soybeans' peptides were able to reduce lipid accumulation by 50%-70%, and that's very important," de Mejia said. "That was comparable to the statin, which reduced it by 60%. We also clearly saw different markers that were influenced by key enzymes that regulate hepatic lipogenesis—the development of a fatty liver."

[ConservativeMind]

I generally stay away from soy, aside from occasionally eating natto or other Japanese foods with it.

However, this should help those who are in need for reducing LDL and are not picky about the use of soy. It appears to greatly help.

[ConservativeMind]

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[Wayne07]

Good news is that is lowers LDL, bad news it makes men grow breasts.

https://www.uptodate.com/contents/gynecomastia-breast-enlargement-in-men-beyond-the-basics#:~:text=Gynecomastia%20usually%20resolves%20completely%20after,large%20quantities%20are%20consumed%20regularly.

[Songcraft]

Would that same protein be found in sufficient quantities in soy milk to have the same kind of health impact?

(Also, ConservativeMind, and others reading this, do you have any sources of information or reliable links pertaining to the pros and cons of drinking unsweetened soy milk?)

[devere]

There are other ways to inhibit cholesterol biosynthesis, such as the sugar cane extract policosanol. However I learned from personal experience that policosanol can cause the same unpleasant side effects as the drug lipitor. And it wouldn’t surprise me if this soy extract has the same problem.

[Jewbacca]

I can’t say I’m a fan of soy, at all. I’d wait for this B vitamin to be isolated.

I’m also not convinced the cholesterol model of heart disease is correct. Statins do help prevent cardiac events, bjt they’re also powerful antinflamatories. There’s a few conflicting studies re LDL causing problems.

[Songcraft]

Maybe this male teacher (recently featured on Tucker Carlson's show) might want to consider easing up a tad on eating all those soy beans.


     

[moovova]

Take two soy beans and call me in the morning.

[butlerweave]

and turns men into girly men

[Mark]

bkmk

[entropy12]

I only eat what I like and ignore all food studies. Still athletic at age 82 from regular exercise. See my tag line.

[madison10]

Nope. Soy makes me uncomfortable on the innards.

[madison10]

Nope. Soy makes me uncomfortable on the innards.

[bankwalker]

increases estrogen and decreases testosterone also ...

[Don W]

That was going to be my response! “It’ll help reduce your LDL, but you’re gonna grow tits!”

[Wayne07]

Someone buy that thing a steak!

[hopespringseternal]

I find that ignoring my doctors advice means I need his services far less often.

The whole cholesterol thing has always been a scam. Your body maintains your cholesterol level because you need it. Eat less, and your body will start making more. Eat more, and your body will make less.

[entropy12]

Correct! Brain is mostly fat. And heart could not beat without lubricated by fat. Cholesterol is not the problem, the problem is sedentary lifestyle.

[Fiji Hill]

Soy is found in a lot of processed canned foods. Except for East Asian meals, I try to avoid it as I do high fructose corn syrup.

[vivenne]

What are the side effects, if I may ask?