Press Release
Fairfield, California. October 18, 2006.

Scientists Discover Cholesterol-Lowering Component in Soy

Soy – is the little bean back in the cardiovascular health game? Results of a study from Soy Labs, LLC confirm that it is. Lunastatin™ (aka Lunasin), a chromatin-binding peptide derived from soy, appears to be an active factor responsible for the LDL cholesterol-lowering effect attributed to soy protein. Alfredo F. Galvez, Ph.D., Molecular Biologist at the NCMHD Center for Excellence in Nutritional Genomics at University of California, Davis; Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Missouri; and the study’s lead researcher, presented his findings at the Fourth International Conference on Soy and Health in Düsseldorf, Germany last week.

Figure: Lunastatin Mechanism of Action

Lunastatin was found to have two powerful mechanisms of action. First, it inhibited expression of HMG-CoA reductase by 50 percent. Notably, HMG-CoA reductase is the enzyme necessary for the liver to produce endogenous cholesterol (the kind naturally made by the body as opposed to cholesterol related to diet). This is a more sophisticated mechanism of action than that of prescription statin drugs that only suppress the enzymatic activity of HMG-CoA reductase after it has already been produced.

Lunastatin also increased expression of the LDL-R receptor gene by 60 percent; LDL receptors remove low-density lipoprotein (bad) cholesterol from the bloodstream. With an increased number of LDL receptors on cell membranes, more LDL cholesterol is removed from the blood, which leads to overall lower circulating cholesterol levels.

“These findings indicate tremendous promise for Lunastatin as a way to safely reduce cholesterol without the side effects associated with statin drugs,” stated Dr. Galvez.

“Lowering cholesterol is key to maintaining heart health,” stated Soy Labs President Ryan Schmidt. “While statin drugs have been somewhat effective in that area, there is broad-based concern that the risks (e.g., cancer, liver and kidney damage, etc.) outweigh the benefits. We’re confident that all-natural Lunastatin holds the key to lowering cholesterol safely.” Soy Labs is in the process of developing proprietary ingredients and finished products that will feature Lunastatin.

The American Heart Association (AHA) earlier reported that soy protein lowers harmful LDL cholesterol by only 3 percent, contrary to the FDA health claim on soy protein. Given the available body of research, it would seem likely that the AHA is referring to a few unimpressive research studies on soy protein or isoflavones (phytoestrogen found in soy) without knowledge of the responsible nutrient for cholesterol lowering. The Soy Labs’ study is different because it focused on the specific component in soy protein that is effective in reducing harmful cholesterol.

About Soy Labs, LLC

Soy Labs develops and markets research-based soy products that optimize health and quality of life including CardioTrim™, the company’s flagship product line. It is a pioneer in the research and development of AlbumaSoy™, a proprietary soy albumin extract that is a primary component of CardioTrim™. Soy Labs is affiliated with 1Soy™, a nonprofit soy farmer cooperative based in Missouri and is the recipient of two 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 the Soy Labs family of products and its research, visit the web site at www.soylabs.com.