Source: Medscape Medical News
Researchers and soybean growers/marketers have long been touting the benefits of soy to health. The December 9 Journal of the American Medical Association (AMA) has now published the results of a large population study in China. Because let’s face it, if you want to do a large population study, China is your place.
Soybeans and MOST products made from them are rich in isoflavones. Iso-whatsas? These are phytoestorgens (think plant estrogen) which have been linked to reductions in the incidence of breast cancer.
This study of 5042 Shanghai breast cancer survivors aged 20 to 75 were followed for an avergage perord of 3.9 years for recurrence. Of the 5033 patients who underwent surgery for breast cancer (mastectomy, primarily), 444 unfortunately did not survive and 534 had recurrent breast cancer.
The big story is that the women who consumed soy foods had decreased rates of recurrence and of death. 8% recurrence at the high end of soy intake (11.2% at the low end) and 7.4% mortality (death) at the high end of soy intake (10.3% at the low end). The daily consumption of soy suggested by the study is a scant 11 grams/day.
Yes, some reading the publication have responded that there is a potential risk with estrogen and estrogen-like substances and the popular breast cancer drug Tomoxifen. However, anyone who reads this blog will quickly ascertain that I personally believe the risks are likely overstated. Nature vs. Big Pharma, Inc.? I’ll take nature, thanks. As always, talk with your doctor before changing your diet.
~Posted by David Marc Schwadron, Esquire