Soy better for cholesterol levels

Soy meal replacements better for cholesterol levels: "Reductions in serum cholesterol and LDL cholesterol values at six weeks were significantly greater in the soy group, report the authors in the June issue of the Journal of the American College of Nutrition (vol 24, no 3, pp210-216).

Those consuming soy had a 15.2 per cent reduction in cholesterol and 17.4 per cent drop in LDL cholesterol. The milk group had a 7.7 per cent change in LDL cholesterol. "

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More Milk = More Weight

Study of 12 829 US children, aged 9 to 14 years shows the more low fat milk kids drink the higher the incidence of weight gain (measured by BMI).



Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med -- Abstract: Milk, Dairy Fat, Dietary Calcium, and Weight Gain: A Longitudinal Study of Adolescents, June 2005, Berkey et al. 159 (6): 543: "Results Children who drank more than 3 servings a day of milk gained more in BMI than those who drank smaller amounts



Quantities of 1% milk (boys) and skim milk (girls) were significantly associated with BMI gain, as was total dietary calcium intake. Multivariate analyses of milk, dairy fat, calcium, and total energy intake suggested that energy was the most important predictor of weight gain. Analyses of year-to-year changes in milk, calcium, dairy fat, and total energy intakes provided generally similar conclusions; an increase in energy intake from the prior year predicted BMI gain in boys (P = .003) and girls (P = .03).



Conclusions Children who drank the most milk gained more weight.

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Study to compare weight & obesity in vegans and vegetarians

Risk of overweight and obesity among semivegetarian, lactovegetarian, and vegan women -- Newby et al. 81 (6): 1267 -- American Journal of Clinical Nutrition: "Results: The prevalence of overweight or obesity (BMI 25) was 40% among omnivores, 29% among both semivegetarians and vegans, and 25% among lactovegetarians. In multivariate, adjusted logistic regression analyses, self-identified vegans had a significantly lower risk of overweight or obesity [odds ratio (OR) = 0.35; 95% CI: 0.18, 0.69] than did omnivores, as did lactovegetarians (OR = 0.54; 95% CI: 0.35, 0.85) and semivegetarians (OR = 0.52; 95% CI: 0.43, 0.62). Risk of overweight or obesity remained significantly lower among lactovegetarians classified on the basis of the food-frequency questionnaire (OR = 0.48; 95% CI: 0.30, 0.78).

Conclusions: Even if vegetarians consume some animal products, our results suggest that self-identified semivegetarian, lactovegetarian, and vegan women have a lower risk of overweight and obesity than do omnivorous women. The advice to consume more plant foods and less animal products may help individuals control their weight. "

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