Is Soy a Cancer Fighter or Enabler?
We’ve all hear the adage, “You are what you eat,” but when it comes to soy, is that good or bad?
The true role soy foods play in cancer prevention or triggering malignant cell growth is difficult to discern from current research studies. The bottom line is no one knows for certain.
The confusion over soy is pervasive among women. A recent study of women in a cancer risk assessment program showed that 45 percent of women who ate soy on a regular basis did so to lower their cancer risk. Yet 7 percent of women in the same study said they avoided soy foods because it might increase their risk of breast cancer.
Many studies over the last 15 years have shown soy to be beneficial in lowering the risk for some types of cancers. For instance, Asian women who consume high amounts of soy during their lifetimes have lower risk of breast cancer. The caveat is that these same women also eat less fat and their diets high are in fiber, so soy’s role in reducing their cancer risk is likely just one part of the equation.
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sources please?
Soy is an essential part of my diet since I'm lactose-intolerant. I used to have a large latte with soy every morning but not much else in the soy line. I have very few menopause symptoms (unlike my non-Soy-drinker sister). That aside, I am very thankful that there is such a good alternative to dairy. I wonder if a study has been done for the link with dairy to breast cancer? Afterall, a low-fat diet eliminates a lot of cheese and such, doesn't it?
That is an interesting comment. Thanks for posting. I'll have to look into the dairy-breast cancer angle. It's true that a low fat diet would eliminate creams, butter and most hard cheeses from the dairy category, but there are a wide variety of non-fat dairy products on the market which are a good source of calcium. Of course, since you are lactose-intolerant, soy seems a healthy alternative. I think until more is known about soy, I would stick to the guidelines as a good rule of thumb. Personally I use, and enjoy, dairy and soy products, but I try to stick to the "everything in moderation" rule.
I eat some dairy (mostly cheese but sometimes yogurt) but do eat quite a lot of soy due to being a lacto vegetarian (limited dairy, no eggs) and I also worry about the possible cancer link with soy, too.
I read some studies that say it lowers the risk, others that say it can increase the risks due to the estrogen-like qualities in soy. I don't overdo the soy but eat it at least every other day.
It's difficult when studies contradict each other. It reminds me of the expression "statistics show that statistics show nothing!"