Soy Protein and Diabetes Complications

Soy protein has many potential health benefits. A recent study examined the effects of isolated soy protein on two of the biggest complications associated with type 2 diabetes: kidney disease and heart disease. Kidney disease, a major complication of diabetes, is often first detected when small amounts of protein are found in urine. The study included male type 2 diabetics with diabetes-related kidney disease. The men received pre-measured amounts of either isolated soy protein or casein in the form of a vanilla powder. Those who added the soy protein powder to their diets had a 9.5% reduction in protein found in their urine. No reduction in urinary protein was observed in those receiving the casein. In addition to improving kidney function, the soy protein supplement elevated "good" HDL cholesterol by over 4%. Low HDL cholesterol levels are a risk factor for heart disease. The findings indicate that soy protein may reduce the risk of common diabetes complications such as kidney and heart disease.