Men's Health 5/17

Does Soy Increase Your Risk of Gout?

2 min read

Do you experience joint pain, inflammation, and swelling? Do you avoid certain foods because you're afraid of triggering an attack?

If you're living with gout, you know how debilitating and restrictive it can be. And soy might be one of the foods you're avoiding. But does soy really increase your risk of gout?

What Makes Up a Soybean?

Soybeans are a type of legume that is native to East Asia. They are part of the Fabaceae family, which includes other plants such as peanuts, lentils, and beans. Soybeans are a key ingredient in many Asian cuisines, and they can be used in a variety of dishes.

Soybeans are high in protein and fibre, and they also contain a range of vitamins and minerals. Soybeans are a good source of iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, copper, manganese, and zinc. They also contain vitamin B6, folate, vitamin K, and thiamin.

Does Soy Intake Increase Uric Acid Levels?

Soy is a well-known source of protein, but it's also a common ingredient in many processed foods. There is a widespread belief, that gout sufferers should avoid soy and legume products because they are high in purine.

Uric acid is a waste product produced when the body breaks down purines. Purines are found in many foods, including soy. If uric acid levels become too high, it can lead to gout, kidney stones or can even lead to cardiovascular issues.

Contrary to the popular belief, a Singapore study done of over 50,000 Chinese in the country discovered that those who ate the most soy products had a lower risk of gout than those who ate the least.

In another study conducted in Hong Kong, soy consumption did not increase urate levels among Chinese postmenopausal women with prehypertension or prediabetes.

Purine Rating for Your Favorite Soyfoods!

Soy foods are generally listed as having a moderate amount of purines, ranging from 50 to 100 mg/100 g on purine content lists. The recommended daily amount of purine in the context of gout or hyperuricemia (high uric acid level in the blood) should not exceed 400mg/day.

It is to take note that different soy products may exhibit different purine content:

Soy foods	Rating
Bean curd lees (Okara)	1
Green soybean (edamame)	1
Soymilk	1
Tofu (Kinu)	1
Tofu (Momen, chilled)	1
Deep-fried tofu	2
Fermented soybean (Natto)	3
Soybean (dried)	3
Freeze-dried tofu	4

Despite the fact that studies have shown that soy does not significantly increase uric acid levels or gout attack incidences. It is generally recommended that people suffering from gout limit their intake of purine-rich foods.

Thus, it is still recommended to consume soy-based products in moderation.

So, if you're eating a diet that consists mostly of soy-based foods, you should aim for 3-4 servings per day. This will help ensure that you're getting all the nutrients your body needs, without overburdening it.

So, How Much Soy Can I Consume?

The amount of soy you can eat depends on the serving size. A serving of tofu, for example, is about ½ cup. A serving of tempeh is about 1/3 cup. And a serving of soy milk is about 1 cup.

So, if you're eating a diet that consists mostly of soy-based foods, you should aim for 3-4 servings per day. This will help ensure that you're getting all the nutrients your body needs, without overburdening it.

Soy Is Okay for Most Gout Patients

Based on the study, soy does not seem to increase your risk of gout. However, if you are already at risk for gout, it is still advisable to have soy foods in moderation.

Milk Thistle, Silymarin or Silybin: What's the Difference?

3 min read

Your liver is one of the hardest working organs in your body. It's responsible for filtering out toxins and waste from your bloodstream. So when it becomes overloaded, it needs a little help.

Milk thistle has been used for hundreds of years as a natural way to support liver health. But what is the difference between milk thistle, silymarin and silybin?

Milk Thistle, Silymarin or Silybin: Which is best for you?

If you're looking for a natural way to improve liver function, milk thistle may be the answer. This herb has been used for centuries to treat liver problems, and recent research has shown that it can be effective in treating a wide variety of liver diseases.

Milk Thistle

Milk thistle is a plant that has reddish-purple flowers and is native to the Mediterranean region. The plant has been used for centuries to treat liver and gallbladder problems. Milk thistle is thought to work by protecting the liver from damage and helping to regenerate new liver cells.

Silymarin

Silymarin is a mixture of flavonoid compounds that are commonly extracted from the fruit and seeds of the milk thistle plant. Silymarin has become a popular supplement's active compound due to its purported ability to protect the liver from damage and improve its overall function.

While there is still much research to be done on the potential health benefits of silymarin, preliminary studies have shown that this antioxidant compound may help to protect the liver from toxins, reduce inflammation, and stimulate new cell growth. Additionally, silymarin has been shown to improve the function of enzymes involved in detoxification processes in the liver.

Silybin

Silymarin, as previously stated, is a large compound extracted from the milk thistle plant. It is a complex of flavonoids that can be broken down into many smaller parts, one of which is called silybin. Silybin is the most powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammation agent of all the components. In short, Silybin is the major active component of silymarin.

Liver: The Unsung Hero in Our Body

Few people know that the liver is the largest internal organ in the human body. The liver is responsible for a variety of functions within the body, all of which are essential to keeping us healthy. These functions can be broadly grouped into five categories: filtration, metabolism, storage, synthesis, and secretion.

Filtration is one of the most important functions of the liver. The liver filters blood coming from the digestive tract, removing toxins and other harmful substances before they can enter circulation. The liver also produces bile, which helps to break down fats in the digestive process.
Metabolism is another crucial function of the liver. The liver breaks down nutrients from food into energy that can be used by the body.
It also regulates levels of glucose in the blood and stores vitamins and minerals.
The liver synthesizes proteins and produces cholesterol and other lipids needed by the body.

Unfortunately, the liver is also susceptible to damage from a number of different sources. Alcohol abuse is one of the most common causes of liver damage, but other factors such as low testosterone, sleep deprivation, obesity, viral infections, and certain medications can also cause problems.

Silent Consequence of Consistent Liver Damage

The silent consequence of consistent liver damage is that it often progresses to a more advanced stage before symptoms are noticeable. This means that by the time someone experiences symptoms of liver damage, the condition is often quite advanced and difficult to treat.

Liver disease progression

Inflammation. At this early stage, your liver becomes enlarged or inflamed.
Fibrosis develops when an inflamed liver begins to scar.
Severe scarring has formed on your liver during the cirrhosis stage.
End-of-life liver disease (ESLD). The damage to the liver has progressed to the point where it can only be reversed with a liver transplant.
Liver Cancer happens when there are development and multiplication of abnormal liver cells and can occur at any stage of liver failure, though people with cirrhosis are more vulnerable.

Milk Thistle Protects the Liver

Milk thistle and its extracts are safe and effective liver supplements. The protective active component in milk thistle is rapidly depleted by the liver due to the liver's constant activity 24 hours a day, for those with impaired liver health may need to take a high and repeated oral dose for optimal results.

One should also consider the silybin content of the liver supplement. A high dose of standardised 80% silybin in a liver supplement has higher potency for its antioxidants, detoxification, and improved liver functions. It may be a better option to choose a product with high silybin rather than taking raw milk thistle powder.

Why You Should Take Lutein and Bilberry for Eye Health

3 min read

Do you find yourself struggling to see things up close? Do you feel like you're constantly having to adjust your vision? The ageing process has a big impact on your vision and it's only going to get worse. Everyone is aware of this, but far too many people ignore it until it affects them personally.

However, this should not be the case, because there are some relatively simple measures you can put in place today to help your vision for years to come. One such measure is the use of eye health supplements.

Why You Should Take Lutein and Bilberry for Eye Health

The Amazing Health Benefits of Lutein You Didn't Know About!

Lutein is a carotenoid found in leafy green vegetables that has powerful antioxidant properties. Lutein is important for eye health because it helps to protect the macula, the central area of the retina, from damage caused by blue light. The body cannot produce lutein, so it must be obtained through diet or supplements.

Studies have shown that lutein may help to prevent age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of blindness in older adults. Lutein also appears to be protective against cataracts, another common cause of vision loss. In addition to its benefits for eye health, lutein is also thought to support cognitive function and brain health as we age.

Other than that, Lutein help to preserve skin health and fight skin cancer. It filters high-energy wavelengths of visible light, which slows down the rate of oxidative stress. Some animal studies show evidence that lutein offers significant protection against light-induced skin damage, such as signs of aging and potentially skin cancer.

Some observational studies suggest that xanthophyll carotenoids, such as lutein, can help reduce the risk of developing heart disease and stroke. It appears that its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties would benefit heart health by lowering inflammation, which is an underlying cause of coronary heart disease.

Bilberry: A Superfruit with Many Health Benefits

Bilberry, a member of the Vaccinium family which also includes cranberries and blueberries, is indigenous to Northern Europe. The small, evergreen bilberry bush has been used for centuries in folk medicine. Bilberries are a rich source of antioxidants and other phytonutrients, making them one of nature's most potent superfruits.

Bilberries have long been known for their benefits to eye health. In fact, bilberries were used during World War II by British Royal Air Force pilots to improve night vision. Studies have since shown that compounds in bilberries can help improve visual acuity and prevent macular degeneration..

Dry eye is another condition that can be helped by bilberry consumption. Bilberry extract has been shown to increase blood flow to the retina and reduce inflammation.

Other potential benefits of bilberry includes:

Improve blood circulation
Benefit for heart health
Antiinflammatory
Improve skin conditions
Rich in antioxidant and antimicrobial properties

Lutein and Bilberry: The Dynamic Duo for Your Eyes

Lutein and bilberry are two nutritional powerhouse ingredients that work together to keep your eyes healthy. Both of these ingredients have been shown to be beneficial for eye health, specifically in regards to the macula and the eye lens.

Lutein has been shown to help filter out harmful blue light and reduce oxidative stress on the macula. Bilberry extract has been shown to improve blood circulation in the small capillaries that supply nutrients to the eye lens. Together, these two ingredients can help reduce the risk of developing macular degeneration and dry eye syndrome. Their antioxidant properties aid in the reduction of free radical stressors and the relief of eye strain.