Hong Chen, an assistant
professor of food science and human nutrition at the University of Illinois has
been able to demonstrate how soy protein potentially has the ability to
decrease fat accumulation and triglycerides in the livers of patients with obesity. Soy protein is able to partially restore the
function of a key pathway in the liver.
The team presented their
findings this past April at the annual American Society for Biochemistry and
Molecular Biology.
Chen reported, "Almost
a third of American adults have fatty liver disease, many of them without
symptoms… obesity is a key risk factor for this condition, which can lead to
liver failure."
One of the liver’s
functions is to metabolize fat. In those
with obesity, the liver ends up with excess fat. The liver function can be compromised.
Sources of soy protein
are tofu, edamame, yogurt, and soy milk are able to assuage some stress on
fatty livers.
For additional information on this story, see the link to Science Daily here.
Gina Lesako RD, LD is the SCAN blog coordinator (those interested in writing for SCAN can email her directly at glesako@gmail.com). She can also be found blogging at http://dietitianseatchocolatetoo.blogspot.com/). Find her on SCAN: http://www.scandpg.org/dietitians/15720/
Want to blog for SCAN, increase your blog or website's traffic? E-mail Gina at glesako@gmail.com.
