A double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial compares the cholesterol-lowering effects of two different soy protein preparations in hypercholesterolemic subjects.

Background: Soy protein is effective in lowering plasma cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations. It has not been conclusively answered, whether and to what extent other soy constituents may also contribute to this effect.

Objective: To investigate the change in blood lipid levels after application of two soy-based supplements containing soy protein either without (SuproSoy) or with (Abacor) soy fiber and phospholipids in a randomized placebo-controlled triplearmed study.

Effects of soy and other natural products on LDL:HDL ratio and other lipid parameters: a literature review.

Abnormal lipid levels contribute significantly to the risk of coronary heart disease, a major cardiovascular disease and a serious health problem. Various dietary and pharmacologic treatments have been devised to reduce elevated blood cholesterol levels. Soy protein, soluble fiber, and plant sterol/ester-containing margarines are promising new food-component candidates that may help to realize this goal.

Anxiolytic-like effects of kava-kava in the elevated plus maze test--a comparison with diazepam.

Kava-Kava, a drug derived from a traditional psychoactive beverage used in the South Pacific, is known for tranquilizing and anxiolytic effects. Extracts made from the roots of the Kava plant (Piper methysticum G. Forster) have anxiolytic and mild sedative effects in man.