Sunday, December 9, 2012

Fatty Liver Sufferers May Find Relief With Soy Protein


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.

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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.