Soys got a good reputation. It consists of enormous quantities of proteins which include a wide range of amino acids. Its enriched with calcium, magnesium, and other essential minerals. It lowers cholesterol, which reduces the risk of heart disease. It also helps to prevent osteoporosis because of its calcium boost. In fact, some studies have shown that soy foods favorably affect spine bone mineral density in peri- and post-menopausal women. And some women swear it can reduce their hot flashes. Plus, a recent study shows drinking soy milk can reduce the incidence of prostate cancer. So whats not to like?
But soy is also high in isoflavones, compounds that can have an estrogen-like effect. Some researchers were concerned that consuming soy would increase the risk of cancer recurrence and death among survivors of breast cancer. (Many cases of breast cancer require estrogen to grow.) As a result, doctors often advised their female patients against including it in their diets.But new research suggests soy is indeed safe for breast cancer survivors as well as healthy women. The study was presented at this years meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research.
For the study, Dr. Xiao Ou Shu of Vanderbilt University Medical Center analyzed data from four studies involving 18,312 women between the ages of 20 to 83 who were diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. Soy intake was estimated for 16,048 patients at 13 months after diagnosis. Breast cancer outcomes were reviewed nine years after diagnosis.Dr. Shu found that women who ate more than of more than 23 mg per day (close to one ounce) were nine percent less likely to die, and 15 percent less likely to have recurrence when compared with those who had an intake below 23 mg.
