Women Could Be at Risk From Soy By Judi Sheppard Missett CEO of Jazzercise, Inc.

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Soy created a tremendous buzz in health circles when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved special labeling for foods containing 6.25 grams of soy protein per serving. Such foods can carry the following health claim: "Diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol that include 25 grams of soy protein per day may reduce the risk of heart disease."

The FDA's decision to allow this claim was influenced by studies like the one conducted at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, N.C., which found that people who ate low-fat diets high in soy foods lowered their LDL, or "bad" cholesterol, by 10 percent. In addition to decreasing the risk of heart disease, soy also has been credited with building strong bones and preserving lean body mass.

But soy may not be the wonder food early reports have implied. New concerns have surfaced regarding soy and breast cancer. Plant-based estrogens found in soy protein, called isoflavones, have been found to stimulate breast cell proliferation. As some types of breast cancer rely on estrogen to grow, it is possible that a diet high in soy protein may actually speed the growth of cancerous cells.

Additional research is warranted, but women who have breast cancer or are at high risk are advised not to consume large quantities of soy. In fact, if soy is not currently part of their diets, experts suggest, leave it out. For women who eat soy regularly, moderation is the key.

Many experts believe that cancer survivors are safe consuming 2 to 3 ounces of soy-based foods a day. One to three servings of soy are appropriate for women who are not at high risk for breast cancer.

Of course, diet is only half of the health equation. To lower your risk of disease, you should also: Refrain from smoking Consume alcohol and caffeine in moderation Maintain a healthy weight Exercise regularly A well-rounded fitness program includes both aerobic exercise and strength training. Guidelines set forth by the American College of Sports Medicine recommend three to five aerobic workouts and two strength training sessions per week.

(c) 2001, Jazzercise Inc., Los Angeles Times Syndicate

-- Anonymous, August 02, 2001

Answers

If this were true, wouldn't Asian women who consume large amounts of soy have an increased risk of breast cancer? I think the American Dairy Association has a vested interest in reducing soy consumption in America because many women have already substituted soy milk for cow's milk because of the lower fat content.

While I think consuming large quantities of anything, especially in pill or powder form can lead to problems, I don't think that consuming a reasonable amount of soy increases anyone's cancer risk.

-- Anonymous, August 02, 2001

From what I remember of the first reports about soy being good for women, Asian women were said to have lower rates of breast cancer. In addition, their menopausal symptoms were much less debilitating than those of western women, to the point that the Japanese do not even have a phrase for "hot flashes."

Note that this report is written by the CEO of Jazzercise.

-- Anonymous, August 02, 2001

Should've added: the Jazzercise Diva, JSM, has been an occasional spokesperson for the American Dairy Association, even appearing in one of their commercials for skim milk ca. 1982 or so. Hey, keep those women worried about their weight and drinking fatty milk, and you have a bottomless market to skim since most "health clubs" make a high percentage of their money from drop-outs. But I digress, and don't get me started. (:

-- Anonymous, August 02, 2001

Can't quite remember the details, but I read something to the effect that the isoflavine substance in natural soy wasn't the same as the supplement. Maybe that isn't quite it, but some difference such that the soy-based was actually ok.

I figure I'm all set. What I took for bean curd in the salad bar and was wolfing down for a few weeks turned out to the mozzarella balls. No wonder I wasn't losing weight...

-- Anonymous, August 02, 2001

BWAHAHAHAHA! Sorry, Brooks, wouldn't resist.

-- Anonymous, August 02, 2001