The American Heart Association (AHA) has been among the organizations touting the health benefits of including soy in a person’s diet. However, in early 2006, the AHA issued its finding from an analysis of 22 studies of the effect of soy on human health. The AHA concluded that contrary to its earlier advocacy of high-soy diets, soy protein appears to have little or no effect on the risk factors associated with heart disease. The organization reported that eating large amounts of soy protein appears to reduce low-density lipoproteins (LDLs, or “bad” cholesterol) by just 3 percent.

The AHA analysis also raised doubts about other health benefits that have been associated with soy. For example, it found that evidence of soy’s power in preventing osteoporosis appears to be mixed, and that there was no strong evidence that soy relieves symptoms of menopause.

Nonetheless, the report concluded that soy products still offer potential health benefits to consumers because of their high content of polyunsaturated fats, fiber, vitamins and minerals. They also have low levels of saturated fats and can be used to replace meats with higher levels of these fats.

Other new research continues to investigate possible links between soy intake and improved health. One recent study found that a natural substance made from soy offered significant health benefits when give to animals with a disease similar to multiple sclerosis. Animals who received the substance shoed dramatic improvement in their ability to move and walk