Two new studies show that soy protein helps promote breast health.
Researchers have known for decades that populations consuming high
levels
of soy protein have low breast and endometrial cancer rates. Two recent
studies published in August, 2000 document that soy protein consumption
may
decrease risk of breast cancer by creating a favorable hormone status in
both pre and postmenopausal women (i.e. soy reduces toxic estrogens in
your
body that would lead to cancer). The first study, in premenopausal
women,
found that soy protein slightly lowers (i.e. balances) estrogen levels
and
concluded that soy consumption could explain a "decreased risk of breast
cancer in populations consuming soy diets and have implications for
reducing breast cancer risk by dietary intervention." The second study,
in
postmenopausal women, found that soy protein causes the body the convert
toxic estrogens into inactive estrogens. The researchers concluded,
"These
data suggest that both isoflavones and other soy constituents may exert
cancer-preventive effects in postmenopausal women by altering estrogen
metabolism away from genotoxic metabolites toward inactive metabolites."
Both studies stress the importance of younger and older women consuming
soy
protein throughout their lifespan.
References:
1. Cancer Res 2000 Aug 1;60(15):4112-21. Decreased ovarian hormones
during
a soy diet: implications for breast cancer prevention. Lu LJ, Anderson
KE,
Grady JJ, Kohen F, Nagamani M. Department of Preventive Medicine, The
University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77555, USA.
2. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2000 Aug;9(8):781-6. Soy
consumption
alters endogenous estrogen metabolism in postmenopausal women. Xu X,
Duncan
AM, Wangen KE, Kurzer MS. Department of Food Science and Nutrition,
University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108, USA.
--
Monique
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