He et al (2005) showed that soy protein may help lower blood pressure. Researchers in China looked at the effect of soy protein supplementation with prehypertension or stage 1 hypertension. Their results showed that soy protein supplementation resulted in a reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Luckaczer et al. (2006) compared the effects of a diatery program combining a   low-glycemic-index diet with a functional food delivering 30g of soy protein and 4g of physterols per day (LGID) with those ofa a standard diatary program, the American Heart Association´s Step 1 diet (AHAD) in postmenopausal women. The participants in the 12-week LGID program showed statistically significant decreases in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triacylglycerols. The researchers concluded that a significantly greater improvement was observed in cardiovascular disease risk factors in postmenopausal women on the LGID program than with the standard AHAD therapy.

Ohr, Linda, M. 2006. The (Heart) Beat goes on. Food technology. 06/06. p.87-95.                         08-16-2006