What makes soy protein special and so important to health?
Soy protein is extracted from the soybean. The soybean is among the very few plants that provide a complete protein source. Soybeans contain the essential amino acids that form what is known as a complete protein. Since the body cannot synthesize essential amino acids, they must be obtained from food. Some of these amino acids are: lysine, tryptophan, leucine, phenylalanine, methionine, histidine, isoleucine, threinine, and valine. Soy foods have become more widely available in the Western culture at the very time extensive research has confirmed that we need to consume less fat and more fiber. In addition, while protein intake is essential because we require amino acids and nitrogen, most people in Western counties consume more than is needed to build and maintain health. The standard established by the National Research Council serves as a guide. We need about half a gram of protein per kilogram (2.2 pounds) of ideal bodyweight. Proteins vary in quality and as a precaution 0.
