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The Wondrous Benefits of Soy Protein

Soy protein is emerging as one of the great alternative protein sources for human consumption. Health experts are all excited about how soy protein can change the face of nutrition. What’s all the rage? Here are some great reasons to get with soy protein.

Soy is great for increased energy and stamina!

Soy can supercharge your energy levels, increase stamina and improve your workouts! We all could use more energy and vitality. Whether you need more energy to keep up with your children/grandchildren, or to compete in world class sports, soy can help. Key nutritional qualities of soy protein have been identified that improve energy, stamina and sports performance, particularly, lean muscle mass, strength, endurance and recovery times.

1. Soy helps stimulate the release of anabolic hormones that promote muscle formation. The result is increased lean body mass and decreased fat mass. Soy protein powder contains higher amounts of the amino acid arginine than whey, casein, egg white, or beef protein on a per gram basis. Arginine plays a key role in stimulating release of anabolic hormones that promote muscle formation. Arginine is recognized as a semi-essential amino acid for good health although it is readily synthesized from ornithine.

Because it enhances wound healing and has an immuno-enhancing effect, many investigators consider arginine to be a "conditionally-essential amino acid" in the stressed state. (1,2) Studies show that arginine has a pharmacologic action that may account for some of the anabolic activities and improvement in immune function observed in animals and humans who have received diets supplemented with arginine. (3,4) For athletes, arginine may play a key role in muscle formation, reduction of physiological stress, and in helping to maintain a strong and healthy immune system. Numerous studies in world-class Olympic athletes have documented these effects. (5-7)

2. Soy helps increase your ability to utilize oxygen (“VO2 max“), thus helping you sustain high-intensity exercise for a longer period. VO2 max has become a buzz word in the sports nutrition arena today. But what is it exactly and why is important? VO2 max is defined as the maximal oxygen uptake for a subject exercising under a set of defined conditions.

To obtain this measurement, each subject is exercised to an increasing level while they breathe into a spirometer that measures how much oxygen is taken in. VO2 max is measured as the region where work continues to increase but oxygen uptake levels off or even declines slightly. VO2 max is important in determining a person's capacity to sustain high-intensity exercise for longer than 4 to 5 minutes. Soy consumption over a 4-month period resulted in significant improvements of VO2 max. (8)

3. Soy provides branched chain amino acids (bcca’s) for sustained endurance. The "Critical Cluster" branched chain amino acids are used as an energy source during exercise. (9) The amino acids that make up the "Critical Cluster" include the branched chain amino acids Leucine, Isoleucine and Valine as well as Glutamine and Arginine. Soy protein powder provides greater amounts of these amino acids as compared to whey, casein, egg white and beef protein (on a per gram basis).

In the first 20 minutes of moderate to intense exercise performance, muscle glycogen is used as the primary energy source and provides glucose for muscle fueling. After this initial 20-minute phase of exercise, fatty acids and the branched chain amino acids are used as major energy sources. During endurance activity nitrogen is removed from the branched chain amino acids and converted to alanine. Alanine is transported from the muscle to the liver via the bloodstream where it is converted to glucose. Glucose from the liver returns to the muscle to supply energy for fueling and power performance.

Glutamine and Arginine are considered essential during metabolic stress. Glutamine is the primary carrier of nitrogen to skeletal muscle and other tissues. It boosts protein synthesis, helps buffer lactic acid buildup that occurs during exercising. It also reduces central nervous system fatigue. Several studies have shown that the arginine plays a key role in stimulating the release of anabolic hormones that promote muscle formation.

It is also a precursor to nitric oxide which promote healthy blood vessels. These amino acids are important in the building, the growth and recovery of the muscle. Furthermore, several of the amino acids in the "Critical Cluster" will help strengthen the immune system.

4. Soy can help reduce muscle injury/inflammation and help improve recovery time. Managing oxidative stress has become a real issue in the arena of sports nutrition today. People under conditional stress, such as athletes training hard and people with an active lifestyle produce free radicals which have been known to contribute to higher levels of upper-respiratory infections and muscle inflammation, therefore increasing recovery time.

In a recent study at Ohio State University, male subjects were fed either soy protein or whey protein. (10) The group consuming soy protein showed a rise in plasma total antioxidants status while the group fed whey did not experience any increase. This rise in plasma total antioxidants status was associated with the reduction of muscle enzymes in the blood indicating less oxidative stress and damage occurring in the muscle tissues. Thus, soy may may help to reduce muscle injury and inflammation, hence shortening recovery time. Athletes can then train sooner and harder.

5. Soy protein decreases post-exercise fatigue. Studies in Olympic athletes indicate that athletes consuming a soy protein-rich diet experience a decrease in fatigue after training sessions. Studies with the Romanian Olympic Rowing Team showed that an intake of soy protein at 1.5 g per kg body weight in addition to the regular intake of protein in the diet (2.0 g/kg body weight) may be responsible for reduced fatigue after exercise. (5)

6. Soy protein powder can improve your current protein regimen. Soy protein powder's protein quality is equal to whey, casein or egg white sources and will enhance your nutrition used in combination or alone. The Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS) is the gold standard for measuring amino acid content and purity. (11) Soy protein powder scores a 1.0 which is the highest score a protein can have making Soy protein powder equal in protein quality to whey, casein (milk) and egg protein (which all have scores of 1.0 also).

Red meat typically scores a 0.92, thus is not as good as Soy protein powder, whey, casein or egg proteins. Soy protein meets or exceeds the essential amino acid requirements of both children and adults. (12-16,17,18) It is highly digestible, readily absorbable, and maintains positive nitrogen balance when fed as the sole protein source, even at minimum intake levels. (16)

7. Soy decreases metabolic stress on your kidneys. Many athletes consume a higher protein intake to enhance performance (2 or more times the recommended daily amount!). Body builders or strength athletes as well as endurance athletes (19,20) have higher protein needs than non-athletes in order to facilitate muscle building and re-synthesis of muscle after a long endurance event. Researchers (21,22) have documented that the type of dietary protein affects kidney function. Studies in both humans and animals indicate that consumption of a soy protein diet promotes a decrease in the glomerular filtration rate reducing the workload of the kidney.

In studies in Romanian Olympic Swimming and Rowing Teams and in Chinese Olympic Team athletes, soy supplementation at 1.5 g per kg body weight showed no detrimental effects on kidney function (5-6). Key studies with Romanian Olympic athletes indicated that urinary excretion of mucoproteins was reduced by as much as 5 to 46% when soy protein was used as a supplement at 1.5 g per kg body weight in addition to the regular intake of protein in the diet (2.0 g/kg body weight). (6,7) These observations further support the theory that soy protein decreases metabolic stress on the kidney.

8. Soy promotes strong bones and connective tissues. Strong bones and connective tissue are vital for optimal sports performance and longevity. Accumulating evidence suggests that soy protein consumption promotes strong bones and connective tissues. (23-25) Read a full review on soy and bone health.

9. Soy helps support a healthy cardiovascular system. A good cardiovascular system is critical for any athlete or anyone who exercises. In addition to enhancing sports performance, soy has many other health benefits. You really can't go wrong by adding soy to your daily regimen! Read a full review on soy and heart health.

In summary, soy protein is safe and effective for promotion of better energy levels, reduced fatigue and enhanced sports performance. Women and men of all ages can benefit tremendously from soy protein.

The FDA, American Heart Association, and leading health experts recommend that Americans eat more soy protein to lower their cholesterol, protect their heart, and reduce menopausal symptoms. New research shows that eating soy is associated with stronger bones, reduced menstrual disturbances like PMS, and improved breast, endometrial, colon and prostate health. Studies also show soy helps you lose weight by blocking storage of fat.

Soy benefits and research reviews in these key areas:*

Menopause & Perimenopause Health
Weight Loss
Breast Health
PMS & Menstrual Health
Bone, Joint, Hair, Skin and Nail Health
Energy, Stamina and Enhanced Workouts
Fatigue, Discomfort and Energy
Sex Drive and Vaginal Dryness
Diabetic Health
Cholesterol, Blood Pressure and Heart Disease
Endometrial (Uterine) Health
Memory and Brain Health
Digestive Tract Health
Prostate Health
Kidney Health
Thyroid Health
Extra Benefits: multivitamin & calcium

NOTE: Discuss this information with your own physician or healthcare provider to determine what is right for you. *Soy Protein is not a substitute for prescription medication or the advice of your own doctor

More Resources available about Sports Supplements :

What are correct Sports Supplements?
The Basics of Sports Fitness

Exercise is an important factor in acquiring and eventually maintaining a healthy body. Exercise in general, and sports fitness in particular, tones and strengthens the muscles and bones and keeps your heart healthy. In addition, sports fitness can make you look and feel great about yourself inside and outside. In fact, it does not only give you that to-die-for body, but is a great way to release stress.

In this age, more and more women aspire of finally getting that a la Jennifer Lopez or Beyonce Knowles figure. More and more men work out to finally show off those fabulous six-pack abs. But the real good news is, more and more people engage in sports fitness in order to be fit and healthy.
(To read the rest of this article click on the Title above here.)

Sports Pack Program
Gain that competitive edge Supplements are very popular among peak performance athletes. There are many available supplements to help in your bodybuilding efforts – they span the gamut from performance enhancers, protein supplements and other newfangled ways to improve muscle development and definition.

But first of all, before delving into supplements, you must be fully aware of the importance of maintaining a healthy diet and getting adequate rest. Remember, these are supplements, which mean they add to the value of what is already there. And the thing that is already there is your existing diet and routine.

Sports Athlete Peak Performance Diet
Exercise is always a do-it-yourself venture. No other person or machine can do it for you. But the exercise used to build muscles need proper nutrition to expedite the results. The first step in building muscle is learning more about your body and how to assess its state of health with the help of proper nutrition.
(To read the rest of this article click on the Title above here.)

Sports exercise and eating healthy”
Anytime you exercise, you do so in order to try and maintain good health. You also know that you have to eat as well, so your body will have the energy it needs to exercise and maintain for the everyday tasks of life. For making the best of your exercise, what you eat before and after you workout is very important.

No matter if you are going to be doing a cardio workout or a resistance workout, you should always make it a point to eat a balanced mix of protein and carbohydrates. What makes that determining percentage of carbs and protein you consume is whether or not you are doing cardio or resistance exercise and the intensity level that you plan to work at.
(To read the rest of this article click on the Title above here.)

If you would like to order your Sports Nutrition Supplements pack, contact Jenny on the form below to get back to you and process your order.

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* The Herbalife weight management programmes are effective when used in conjunction with a calorie controlled eating plan and depends on your personal metabolism.
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