A diet rich in soy protein appears to have a lasting beneficial effect on the heart, blood vessels and kidneys of people with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease, Iranian researchers report in the journal Diabetes Care.

In a study, they found that soy protein consumption had a significant positive impact on cardiovascular risk factors and kidney-related biomarkers among type 2 diabetic patients with kidney disease.

Dr. Leila Azadbakht, of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, and colleagues followed 41 patients with type 2 diabetes for 4 years. Twenty patients consumed a diet that was 35 percent animal protein, 35 percent textured soy protein and 30 percent vegetable protein.

The remaining 21 patients, who acted as controls, ate a diet that consisted of 70 percent animal protein and 30 percent vegetable protein. These patients received the same medical treatment as the soy group; the only difference was the absence of soy protein.

Compared with controls, patients who ate soy protein showed significantly lower levels of fasting blood sugar, total cholesterol, “bad” LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides.

In addition, circulating C-reactive protein levels, which signal inflammation in the body, were reduced as were levels of well known urinary markers of kidney disease.

Short-term studies have indicated such benefits with soy protein, but the researchers point out that this appears to be the first study that has demonstrated that these effects remain “stable with long-term consumption.”

SOURCE: Diabetes Care, April 2008.