Soy Protein Diet and Renal Health in Diabetes: A Groundbreaking Study

Summary: Soy Protein May Improve Kidney Function in Young Diabetics

The authors did a study with 12 young adults who had type 1 diabetes and early signs of diabetic kidney disease like high glomerular filtration rate (GFR).

They were put on either:

Soy protein rich diet

Or regular animal protein diet

Each diet was eaten for 8 weeks.

Results:

GFR declined on soy protein but not animal protein

Less protein spilled into the urine (proteinuria) on soy

Soy protein also lowered LDL “bad” cholesterol

So in young diabetics, soy protein reduced hyperfiltration compared to animal protein. This suggests possible benefits of soy foods for early diabetic kidney disease. More research is still needed in this area.

Stephenson TJ, Setchell KD, Kendall CW, Jenkins DJ, Anderson JW, Fanti P. Effect of soy protein-rich diet on renal function in young adults with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Clin Nephrol. 2005 Jul;64(1):1-11. doi: 10.5414/cnp64001. PMID: 16047639.