Prepared by BioTherapies, Inc. / Cartilage Technologies, Inc.
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What evidence exists that a soy diet is preventive or beneficial in cancer?
At a scientific symposium held at the National Cancer Institute in 1990 it was concluded that soybeans contain at least five compounds with anticancer activity.
Dr. M. Messina and Ms. V. Messina in their book "The Simple Soybean and Your Health" state that "soyfoods are rich in anticarcinogens, substances that, in some way, prevent or control cancer". Furthermore, the benefit of soy in cancer has been recently reviewed in Dr. Stephen Holt’s book, Soya for Health: The Definitive Medical Guide. These authors site basic science experiments, population studies and clinical research that all point to a role for soy in cancer prevention and perhaps treatment.
What are the principal anticancer agents in soy?
Most interest has focused on the versatile and potent effects of soy isoflavones in cancer research. These soy isoflavones, genistein and daidzein, are known to inhibit cancer cells grown in the laboratory and in animal models. Research shows that isoflavones have anticancer effects in prostate, breast, colon, lung and skin cancer. Other anticancer agents contained in soy include protease inhibitors, phytates, saponins, phytosterols and lecithin.
What are the main types of cancer that soy helps to fight?
Soy isoflavones are believed by many scientists to be preventive against breast cancer, and major university centers are studying the role of isoflavones (genistein and daidzein) in the treatment of advanced breast cancer. Prostate cancer can be inhibited in its growth in the laboratory by soy isoflavones. Population studies show that individuals who consume significant amounts of soy in their diet have a low occurrence of prostate and breast cancer. More than 30 population studies overall draw attention to the potential anticancer effects of soy. Soy diets have been recorded as potentially favorable in the prevention of breast, colon, prostate, stomach and lung cancer.
How do soy isoflavones exert a beneficial effect in cancer?
The soy isoflavones genistein and daidzein are "estrogen mimics." Some authors have suggested that they may have effects similar to the anticancer drug Tamoxifen, which has been used in the successful treatment of breast cancer. Soy isoflavones have an ability to modulate estrogen activity in the body. In addition, soy isoflavones are free radical scavengers (potent antioxidants) and are antiangiogenic (interfere with unwanted blood vessel growth in disease states).
How can soy be taken in the diet?
Soyfoods are increasingly available in health food stores, but they are not standardized to contain guaranteed health-giving fractions of soy. For example, some types of tofu and soy milk do not contain isoflavones in predictable amounts. Therefore, many individuals have elected to take fractions of soy in dietary supplements. Phytoestrogen supplements and genistein-containing soy protein powders are readily available in health food stores. At recommended dosages they are quite safe.
What current research exists/is being conducted on soy and cancer?
Several thousand scientific publications have drawn attention to the role of soy derivatives in cancer prevention or treatment. Soy isoflavones are being studied in clinical trials in many major university centers including Sloan Kettering in NY and UCLA. The National Cancer Institute has funded a great deal of soy research recently.
What are the other health benefits of soy?
Soy is a treasure chest of health-giving nutrients. Soy protein is ideal for nutrition and has been used to build strength in athletes and the sick. Soy protein isolates containing isoflavones will lower blood cholesterol and promote cardiovascular health. Isoflavones in soy have been shown to prevent osteoporosis in animals, and they appear to be beneficial in improving bone density in females. In addition, soy isoflavones have been proposed as a natural alternative to conventional hormone replacement therapy by Dr. Gregory Burke of Wake Forest University (North Carolina). Finally, soy isoflavones have been used to suppress the unpleasant symptoms of menopause. These health benefits are best achieved by taking the soy fraction to which the health benefit can be attributed in the form of a dietary supplement.
This information is provided as an educational service by BioTherapies, Inc. The statements made in this paper have not been approved by the FDA or any regulatory agency.
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8 Articles - Questions About Soy & Cancer
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