The-Truth-About-Pet-Foods

Saponins, like lectins, phytic acid, and even fiber, are common in plant
ingredients and can exert harm if isolated and given in extraordinarily
high dosages. But as these ingredients exist within the integrated
complex of whole, natural foods at natural low levels, they can exert
many beneficial effects. For example, various compounds belonging
to the class known as saponins, such as triterpen oligoglycosides,
elatosides, escins, and senegasaponins are being studied because of
their ability to treat cancer, hypercholesterolemia (In one review of 38
clinical studies over a period of 17 years, involving 730 volunteers,
blood lipid profiles [cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, etc.] were
improved.), diabetes, alcoholism, and inflammatory conditions. Saponins
have the ability to slow the digestion of complex carbohydrates
such as starch, which tends to moderate blood sugar levels,
and even decrease the absorption of alcohol. Through this action it is
believed that saponins may actually help prevent, as well as treat,
blood sugar abnormalities. 1
Other concerns related to soy include antinutritional factors such as
enzyme inhibitors, hemagglutinins, and phytase. In sufficient dosages
these compounds can interfere with digestion, promote blood clotting,
and bind minerals. But again, the key is dosage. Properly
processed soy (such as by high temperature, short time extrusion),
eaten in variety with other nutritious ingredients, produces health rather
than disease.
A class of beneficial soy compounds is isoflavones, including genistein,
which has estrogenic (female hormone) activity. These phytoestrogens
can counteract the carcinogenic effect of environmental estrogenic
substances to which we, and our pets, are increasingly exposed. 2 Soy
phytoestrogens can inhibit cancer-causing estrogen receptors in breast
tissue, testosterone-sensitive prostate cancers, and suppress angiogenesis
(blood vessel formation) in tumors. 3
1. Science News, December 9 1995; 148. J Nutr, 2001; 131(3s):1000S-5S. J Nutr,
1995; 125(3 Suppl):581S-588S. Rocz Panstw Zakl Hig, 1994; 45(1-2):125-30.
Ceska Slov Farm, 1995; 44(5):246-51.
2. Wysong Health Letter, “Feminization of the World,” 1994; 8(3). Lancet,
1994:284.
3. Wysong Health Letter, “Soy As Therapy,” 1999; 13(3). Arterioscl Thromb
Vasc Biol, 1997; 17:2524-31. Am J Clin Nutr, 1997; 65:166-71. J Agric Food
Chem, 1997; 45:4635-8. Lancet, 1997; 350:990-4. Nutr Cancer, 1997; 27:31-
40. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 1998; 95:3106-10.
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