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Silk Partners With Celebrity Fitness Expert Gunnar Peterson to Promote Heart Health

Posted on: Wednesday, 16 September 2009, 06:00 CDT

BROOMFIELD, Colo., Sept. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- To assist the 98 million people in the United States suffering from borderline-to-high cholesterol(1), Silk is launching the Silk(R) Heart Health to support consumers in living naturally healthful lives. Available now, Silk Heart Health breaks new ground in dietary approaches to cholesterol management by combining two clinically proven heart healthy ingredients - natural soy protein and plant sterols - in a single, delicious product(2).

• Soy, which is low in saturated fat and cholesterol, is thought to help minimize production and circulation of LDL cholesterol and is recognized by the FDA for its possible role in heart health(3).
• Plant sterols, according to the FDA, may help reduce absorption of LDL cholesterol in the small intestine and may lead to lower blood cholesterol levels(4). While plant sterols are naturally found at low levels in some vegetable oils, nuts, grain products, fruits and vegetables, typical diets do not provide enough to impact cholesterol.
  

Soymilk fortified with plant sterols has been shown to reduce cholesterol, which may help to reduce the risk of heart disease, when enjoyed as part of a healthful lifestyle. According to a recent study conducted by the University of Manitoba, participants reduced their LDL or "bad" cholesterol by seven percent in four weeks while consuming three 8oz servings of Silk Heart Health each day(5).

To help consumers better understand the benefit of making soy a regular part of their heart healthy lifestyle, Silk has partnered with celebrity fitness guru Gunnar Peterson. Peterson, creator of the Core Secrets DVD series and the author of "The Workout," believes in building strength through both food and exercise.

"I encourage all of my clients to choose foods that satisfy their hunger and supply them with enough energy and fuel to get through a busy day," said Peterson. "Silk soymilk is one of the easiest ways to add protein into your daily diet. With nutrient-rich ingredients like whole harvested soybeans, it's really a perfect protein for any time of the day."

Peterson believes that consuming whole soy or soymilk is one of the best things you can do for your health, and especially your heart. "Soymilk contains all of the essential amino acids for optimum health and experts agree that soy protein is comparable to the protein found in dairy, meat and eggs. But, unlike many animal-protein sources, Silk is low in saturated fat and 100 percent cholesterol free."

Additionally, Silk Heart Health is encouraging everyone to join the Million Hearts Challenge on www.SilkSoymilk.com to raise awareness about the cholesterol-lowering benefits of Silk Heart Health. By entering the Challenge, consumers have a chance to win a luxury $20,000 Ultimate Weekend Getaway for six people - those closest to their heart, as well a variety of daily prizes.

• Join the Silk Million Hearts Challenge at SilkSoymilk.com
• Start a Silk Heart and begin spreading the love
• For every person you invite to join your own personal heart - your chances of winning - will grow
  

For every Facebook Fan that sends the Silk Million Hearts Challenge message on to their friends, Silk will donate 5 cents to the Larry King Cardiac Foundation whose mission is to provide funding for life saving cardiac procedures for individuals who, due to limited means and no insurance, would be otherwise unable to receive life saving treatment.

Please visit www.SilkSoymilk.com for more information.

ABOUT SILK

Silk Soymilk was launched in 1996 and is the best-selling soymilk brand in the country. Not only do Silk products taste delicious, a cup of Silk contains as much calcium as a cup of milk and is loaded with soy protein, which when consumed as a part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease(2). Silk is available in virtually all major supermarket chains and the complete product line includes a number of varieties and flavors to meet specific tastes and nutritional needs. For more information, visit www.silksoymilk.com.

(1) American Heart Association Statistics Committee and Stroke Statistics

(2) A serving of Silk Heart Health provides .65 grams of phytosterols and 6.25 grams of soy protein, both of which are recognized by the FDA as heart-healthy when included in a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol. Foods containing at least 0.4 grams per serving of phytosterols, enjoyed twice a day with meals for a daily total intake of at least 0.8 grams, may reduce the risk of heart disease. 25 grams of soy protein per day may also reduce your risk.

(3) In 1999 the FDA issued a health claim for soy and its role in promoting cardiovascular health. Food and Drug Administration. Food labeling, health claims, soy protein, and coronary heart disease. Fed Reg 1999;57:699-733.

(4) National Cholesterol Education Program. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health. NIH Publication No. 02-5215, September 2002, p. V-4.

(5) Clinical study by Richardson Centre for Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals, University of Manitoba. This study has not been published.

SOURCE Silk

Source: PR Newswire

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