ROLE OF DIETARY PROTEINS IN CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES

Abstract

Observational studies indicated a negative association between the risk of vegetable protein and cardiovascular disease, but less robust intervention studies. Many interventional studies that measured soy protein's effects relative to animal protein have used casein. Relative to casein, soy protein tends to have a variable and less dramatic effect on lipids and lipoprotein than originally reported. Compared to animal proteins other than casein, relatively large soy protein intakes (almost 25 g/d) tend to have a consistent hypocholesterolemic effect, although small (almost 5%). No significant additional benefit of soy protein on other risk factors for cardiovascular disease has been identified when assessed; Lp(a), inflammatory markers, oxidative stress biomarkers, and endothelial function. The available data on the effect of dietary protein on plasma lipids, lipoprotein levels, and risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease is difficult to interpret and insufficient to account for the discrepancy between observational and interventional studies.