Overlooked Heart-Healthy Food: Soymilk

Did you know that consuming whole soy or soymilk is one of the best things you can do for your heart? The FDA states diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol that include 25 grams of soy protein per day may reduce the risk of heart disease.

18/09/08 Everyone knows the importance of maintaining a heart-healthy diet and a low total cholesterol level, however some don't know where to begin and people are always looking for small easy steps to help them get there. Silk Soymilk, the leading soymilk brand in the country, is encouraging consumers to take one easy step for their health and taste buds this September during National Cholesterol Education Month by incorporating Silk into their diets.

"The fight against cardiovascular disease begins with a healthy lifestyle, including diet and exercise. Consuming soy foods and beverages are an easy, healthy way to take a step towards building a stronger heart and overall wellness," said Dr. Richard Katz, director of the division of Cardiology at The George Washington University Hospital and board member of The Larry King Cardiac Foundation. "Taking preventative measures and visiting your doctor for a health screening is also extremely important and it is something I stress to my patients and through my work with the Larry King Cardiac Foundation."

To make it easier for consumers to be heart-healthy during Cholesterol Education Month, Silk Soymilk has paired up with Dr. Katz, a cardiologist specializing in evaluation of heart failure, coronary artery disease and cardiac rhythm disorders, to provide practical and useful tips.

-- Everything in moderation -- Limit foods and beverages high in calories but low in nutrients, and limit the amount of saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol and sodium intake in your diet.

-- Go natural -- Consuming natural, whole, unprocessed foods is the best way to get all of the nutrients and benefits you need in your diet. For example, Silk Soymilk is made with natural, whole soybeans and contains no GMOs, artificial flavors, sweeteners or preservatives and is a great way to get all of the benefits of soy.

-- There's meaning to screening -- Take preventative measures when it comes to the health of your hearth and arteries and visit your doctor for a health screening.

-- Know your numbers -- You should be aware of your cholesterol levels and know what the numbers mean. The report from your doctor will show cholesterol levels in milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dl). HDL cholesterol levels should be at least 40 mg/dl, LDL cholesterol should be less than 100 mg/dl and total blood cholesterol should be below 200 mg/dl. A recent study from Tufts University showed a diet of Silk Soymilk resulted in a modest lowering of LDL (bad) cholesterol and a slight increase in HDL (good) cholesterol. For more ways to incorporate soy protein in your diet, try the following:

- Pour soymilk over a bowl of morning cereal
- Sprinkle edamame over a salad
- Make fresh fruit parfaits using soy yogurt rather than dairy yogurt
- Top homemade pizza with soy cheese
- Snack on roasted soy nuts
- Use soy creamer in your coffee

-- DHA all the way -- DHA has been linked to a wide range of important health benefits, including brain, eye and cardiovascular health. Consume foods containing DHA, such as Silk Plus Omega-3 DHA, which is fortified with life'sDHA -- a 100 percent vegetarian and sustainable derived source of DHA omega-3 fatty acids.