Heart Health

100% cholesterol free

Vitasoy premium soymilk does not contain cholesterol.

Cholesterol is a fat-like substance found in animal foods. As Vitasoy is non-dairy and does not contain any ingredients from animal sources, naturally Vitasoy soymilk doesn't contain cholesterol.

We need cholesterol to make vitamin D and steroid growth hormones, however, a high blood cholesterol may increase the risk of heart disease. Cholesterol travels in the blood and too much cholesterol can accumulate on the walls of blood vessels, reducing blood flow which may lead to a heart attack. A diet high in saturated fat can raise blood cholesterol levels.

We obtain cholesterol from 2 sources:

• animal foods in the diet (dietary cholesterol) and
• cholesterol made in the body by our liver

Most cholesterol is made by the body and as the amount of dietary cholesterol is reduced, the body compensates by making more cholesterol. A healthy balanced diet helps to manage cholesterol levels for good health.

Fat - friend or foe?

Fat as a foe
Fats are energy dense and contribute 37 kilojoules per gram - double the kilojoules of protein or carbohydrate.

The benefits of following a low fat eating plan for good health include: weight management; heart health; may reduce risk of some cancers and management of diabetes.

Fat as a friend
Fat is a concentrated energy source and carries the fat soluble vitamins A, D, E & K. Fat also adds taste, flavour and texture to foods. Fats are made up of building blocks called fatty acids. Essential fatty acids must be eaten as part of the diet as they cannot be made in the body. Soy beans contain the essential fatty acid ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), an omega-3 fatty acid, which is important for good heart health.

Fatty Acids

Fat contains a mixture of fatty acids:

• Saturated
• Mono-unsaturated
• Polyunsaturated

Fats in foods are a mixture of 3 basic types - saturated, mono-unsaturated and polyunsaturated.  Animal fats are mainly saturated, while plant and fish oils are mainly poly and mono-unsaturated.

The type of fat is important, as different fatty acids may have differing effects on our health.

Overall, current nutrition science supports an eating plan which is low in fat. Of the little fat that we do eat, it is recommended to aim for a balance of fat types, particularly monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fats for heart health.

Soy beans have a relatively low proportion of saturated fats and the type of fats are mainly monounsaturated and polyunsaturated. There is no trans fatty acid in Vitasoy soymilk. Click here to see the fatty acid composition of Vitasoy premium soymilk.

Trans fats

Trans fatty acids are monounsaturated fats. Trans fats are digested and used for energy in the same manner as other fats but trans fats have different health effects. There is some evidence that trans fatty acids from hydrogenated fats raise total and LDL cholesterol, lower HDL cholesterol (the good kind), and may increase risk of heart disease.

Vitasoy premium soymilk does not contain trans fatty acids.

Trans fats naturally occur in foods such as beef, lamb and dairy foods. However, the majority of trans fats come from processed foods.

Hydrogenation of fats, a special chemical process, creates variable amounts of trans fatty acids. Trans fatty acids are not formed by cooking.

Hydrogenated vegetable oils have many useful functional properties in foods as they do not go rancid or 'off'. Soy bean oil is the most commonly used oil in the world, and two-thirds of the soy bean oil used in the U.S.A. is hydrogenated.

Click here to see the fatty acid composition of Vitasoy premium soymilk.

Coronary Heart Disease

Coronary Heart disease is a condition that reduces the blood flow through the coronary arteries to the heart muscle. This lack of blood flow can cause a heart attack.

The active ingredients in soy that may have beneficial effects for heart health include fibres, isoflavones and proteins.

In October 1999, the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) permitted the use of a health claim that consumption of soy protein reduces the risk of coronary heart disease. Research submitted to the FDA showed that 25 grams or more of soy protein per day could reduce total and LDL-cholesterol levels and may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.

Foods that contain at least 6.25 grams of soy protein, and meet nutritional criteria, are permitted to make claims on the label such as '25 grams of soy protein a day, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease'. Risk reduction is between 5-10%.

Vitasoy varieties that contain at least 6.25 grams of soy protein per 250mL serve include: Vitasoy Creamy Original (long life) and Fresh Original; Vitasoy Calci-Plus - long life and Fresh; and Vitasoy Vitality Plus - long life.

Including Vitasoy premium soymilk as part of a low fat, high fibre eating plan is a great way to protect your body from heart disease. Why not take more action and try to include at least 2 fish meals per week for heart health? Try Vitasoy's Sesame Salmon with Wasabi mash.

It's also crucial to enjoy regular exercise, maintain your ideal body weight, manage stress and stop smoking.

Click here for information sources and references