Bioactive Soy Component May Hold Key to Cholesterol Control

FAIRFIELD, Calif. October 31, 2007 – A new in vitro study of Lunasin has demonstrated its potential to reduce cholesterol levels by inhibiting the expression of a gene known to be responsible for internal cholesterol production and increasing expression of a gene which reduces plasma LDL cholesterol. A recently discovered bioactive soy component, Lunasin is thought to be one of the key components in soy that is responsible for its cholesterol-lowering properties.

Cell culture of HepG2 liver cells showed Lunasin significantly reduced levels of HMG-CoA reducstase expression by 50 percent; HMG-CoA is the gene that produces the enzyme responsible for cholesterol biosynthesis. At the same time, expression of the gene which produces LDL receptors that help to clear plasma cholesterol was increased by 60 percent.

“This study indicates that the Lunasin peptide is a contributing factor in the cholesterol-lowering benefits of soy protein,” stated Soy Labs President Ryan Schmidt. “At Soy Labs, we specialize in soy peptides and albumins and anticipate they will enhance current products and become the genesis of new products that will help improve the health of consumers everywhere.”

The study was led by Principal Investigator Alfredo F. Galvez, Ph.D. (Center of Excellence for Nutritional Genomics at the University of California, Davis). He is also lead scientific advisor for Soy Labs as well as an adjunct professor at the University of Missouri, Columbia. Dr. Galvez presented the findings at the Bruce Ames International Symposium in Nutritional Genomics which was held October 12-14, at the University of California, at Davis.

The symposium’s theme was “Resolving the Diet-Gene Paradox.” The relationship between nutrition and health has been well documented, but the mechanism by which nutrition influences health and disease outcomes (nutrigenomics) is not well understood. Understanding this relationship has the potential to help consumers make the best nutritional choices based on their own genetics and improve overall public health in the long-term.

A scientific poster, with full study details, will be on display in the registration area at SupplySide West, November 6-8, in Las Vegas. There will also be a question and answer forum on Thursday, November 8, from noon to 1:00 p.m.

About Soy Labs, LLC
Soy Labs is the premier soy peptide ingredient supplier to the nutrition industry. The company spearheads research and develops proprietary, soy-based ingredients for inclusion in soyfoods, nutritional supplements, cosmeceuticals, functional foods and beverages. Its flagship product, Lunasin-XP™, is a powerful cholesterol-lowering soy peptide. Soy Labs is affiliated with 1Soy™, a nonprofit soy farmer cooperative based in Missouri and is the recipient of three grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The company actively supports both the American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association. For more information about Lunasin and its research, visit the web site at www.lunasin.com.