Soy protein and health

Dissimilarities between death rates from cardiovascular disease and cancer in Eastern and Western nations led researchers to focus on factors, such as diet, known to affect the prevalence of these diseases. One basic differen ce in dietary intake is that traditional Asian diets contain appreciable am ounts of soybeans and other soyfoods and Western cuisines typically contain almost none. Many researchers are investigating potential health benefits of soy protein and/or its biologically active components, particularly isoflavones. Curre nt information on soy protein and cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, men opausal symptoms, and cancer is reviewed.