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Tue Jan 16, 2007 10:17 pm  |
This article appeared this week in Australian newspapers and I consider it reputable and important enough to share with everyone here. (I would have just posted a link, but they dont stay active very long on the news.com.au site, so am giving the full text).
I remember reading something a year or two back about not eating too much soy and something relating to breast cancer (at the time I was surprized because it had long been said that low breast cancer rates in Japan was because of the high soy diet).
Cancer patients warned off soy-rich foods
By Clair Weaver
January 14, 2007
CANCER patients are being warned to avoid foods rich in soy because they can accelerate the growth of tumours.
The Cancer Council NSW will issue guidelines today, warning about the dangers of high-soy diets and soy supplements for cancer patients and those people in remission from cancer.
At particular risk are people suffering from hormone-dependent cancers, including breast and prostate cancer - the two most common types of cancer in Australia.
Cancer survivors are also being urged to avoid high doses of soy, as they may be more vulnerable to a relapse. Research has found high consumption of soy products can also limit the effectiveness of conventional medicines used to treat the disease.
"There is evidence to suggest that women with existing breast cancer or past breast cancer should be cautious in consuming large quantities of soy foods or phyto-oestrogen supplements," a position statement from the Cancer Council says. "Women with current or past breast cancer should be aware of the risks of potential tumour growth when taking soy products. "The Cancer Council does not support the use of health claims on food labels that suggest soy foods or phyto-oestrogens protect against the development of cancer."
Health experts are particularly concerned that breast-cancer sufferers who take soy or phyto-oestrogen supplements could feed the disease and reduce the effectiveness of their treatment. Soy, which is present in soy beans, soy milk, tofu, tempeh and some breads, contains phyto-oestrogens that mimic the actions of hormones in the body. This means it may interfere with cancer drugs such as Tamoxifen, which works by suppressing the female hormone oestrogen.
Men with prostate cancer are also being warned against high soy consumption, as phyto-oestrogens may imitate the male hormone androgen.
Although the Cancer Council has warned against soy supplements, it believes an occasional intake of soy food is still safe for cancer patients. Cancer Council nutritionist Kathy Chapman said soy supplements could contain dangerously high doses of phyto-oestrogens.
"If you were a woman with breast cancer and thought, 'I'm going to radically change my diet and have very large portions of soy at every meal', it could be a problem," Ms Chapman said. "For someone who has tofu once or twice a week and drinks a bit of soya milk, it's not so much of a problem."
Soy has earned a reputation as a natural "superfood" that cuts the risk of breast or prostate cancer, and is commonly included in women's health supplements. This claim was based on findings that cancer rates were lower in Asia, where soy consumption is high.
But soy would lower the risk of contracting cancer "only a little", according to the Cancer Council. "While they may have a protective effect, there is also some evidence that phyto-oestrogens may stimulate the growth of existing hormone-dependent cancers," the council's statement said. The risk of contracting other non-hormone-dependent cancers, including bowel cancer, would be unaffected by soy intake.
The Cancer Council was prompted to investigate the issue after being inundated with questions about the role of soy in cancer patients' diets. "We felt we were getting a lot of calls on our hotline about this topic," Ms Chapman said.
Breast-cancer survivor Susie Musarra was surprised by the new evidence about soy. The Sydney mother of two was diagnosed five years ago. She followed a healthy diet, containing plenty of fruit and vegetable juices, during chemotherapy treatment. "It's really confusing, because you get a lot of conflicting information about what to eat," she said. "It's good to have this advice, because it helps you make an informed decision - and the Cancer Council is a reputable source." |
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SKIN: combination, reactive to climate changes and extremely fair. "Women complain about premenstrual syndrome, but I think of it as the only time of the month that I can be myself." --Roseanne |
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Tue Jan 16, 2007 11:46 pm |
| I actually saw this article as well and was quite surprised with its findings. I have never been a fan of soy products but I am sure small amounts would be ok. |
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Skin: Over 60, ex combination now sensitive, Cellcosmet |
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Wed Jan 17, 2007 12:25 am |
| yea, like they said, tofu a few times a week and a bit of soy milk are fine, but given past information that told us that soy helped prevent cancer I am sure that there would be some people out there who increased their intake substantially to try and get benefits. |
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SKIN: combination, reactive to climate changes and extremely fair. "Women complain about premenstrual syndrome, but I think of it as the only time of the month that I can be myself." --Roseanne |
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Wed Jan 17, 2007 2:20 am |
| Interesting and useful to know, thankyou. |
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Wed Jan 17, 2007 8:16 am |
It's so frustrating w/ all the conflicting info out there: choc makes you fat/choc is an antioxidant; Low fat helps you lose wt/low fat diets don't work; soy/Asian diet is healthy/soy is a carcinogen, etc. What's a girl to do  |
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Wed Jan 17, 2007 8:28 am |
Great information tiger. I'm not a soy person either, but for those who are, like my sister, this is good to know. I will pass these findings on to her. Thanks!  |
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51 years old/brunette/normal- oily medium skin. |
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Wed Jan 17, 2007 9:10 am |
| Great information. Thank you! |
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Wed Jan 17, 2007 9:29 am |
| Thank you sooo much for this post. I had always thought soy was too good to be true. |
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Wed Jan 17, 2007 10:16 am |
| Thank you for sharing that article tiger. It's all so confusing... I guess everything in moderation. |
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Wed Jan 17, 2007 10:24 am |
Thank you so much for posting that info.
Years ago, when I suddenly developed cysts in both of my breasts after being on a high soy diet for just one month, the radiologist told me that he had sen several cases like mine where high consumption of soy, even for a short period of time, caused damage (soy has estrogen). |
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Early 50s, Skin: combin.,semi-sensitive, fair with occasional breakouts, some old acne scars, freckles, under-eye wrinkles; Redhead with hazel eyes |
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Wed Jan 17, 2007 11:28 am |
| Thanks for the information tiger_tim something to watch for. |
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Wed Jan 17, 2007 4:40 pm |
Interesting  |
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Wed Jan 17, 2007 9:31 pm |
| sigma wrote: |
Thank you so much for posting that info.
Years ago, when I suddenly developed cysts in both of my breasts after being on a high soy diet for just one month, the radiologist told me that he had sen several cases like mine where high consumption of soy, even for a short period of time, caused damage (soy has estrogen). |
OMG that must have been awful! I have not heard of that one before...
When you think about it, here so much of what we eat is soy derived.. a wide varieties of tofu (there are at least 4 that I consume), miso paste, natto (though I would never be in fear from that as it wont touch it with a 40 foot pole) |
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SKIN: combination, reactive to climate changes and extremely fair. "Women complain about premenstrual syndrome, but I think of it as the only time of the month that I can be myself." --Roseanne |
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Wed Jan 17, 2007 9:42 pm |
| It all depends on how the soy is processed. Tofu is usually okay because it's fermented. Other soy products such as soy meat substitutes are overprocessed. Very few people know that soy actually prevents your body from absorbing certain vitamins. I would still have tofu once in a while (I'm Chinese so it'd be hard to avoid it completely) but I'd stay clear of all the other soy products. |
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34, oily acne-prone skin, Toronto, Canada |
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Wed Jan 17, 2007 10:11 pm |
Yen, perhaps that is the difference.. the whole soy boom started because of lower breast cancer rates in Asia, but though I had never thought about it, all the soy products I (and Asians) consume are fermented (tofu, miso etc).
I never have soy milk or yoghurt or whatever other substitutes are out there and I had never considered that some people might get all their soy intake from western-type soy products.
Good point. |
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SKIN: combination, reactive to climate changes and extremely fair. "Women complain about premenstrual syndrome, but I think of it as the only time of the month that I can be myself." --Roseanne |
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Wed Jan 17, 2007 10:23 pm |
| thank for useful information! |
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Wed Jan 17, 2007 10:29 pm |
Actually, tofu is not OK. That is what I had been eating and that is what caused my problems.
Later on I was told by a natural health practicioner (who is also Ph.D. in biochem) that not all tofu are OK, only some companies produce good quality. I just stay away from it, and I never consumed before nor eat now any other soy products.
I am sure once in a while anything is OK.
HTH,
Lucy. |
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Early 50s, Skin: combin.,semi-sensitive, fair with occasional breakouts, some old acne scars, freckles, under-eye wrinkles; Redhead with hazel eyes |
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Wed Jan 17, 2007 10:36 pm |
More thoughts on soy...
From memory, soy contains isoflavones and another isofl--something compound, and the first is the phyto-oestrogen, the latter is an antioxidant.
Soy also contains phyto-toxins that can only be broken down through a long fermentation process, which I don't believe modern 'processed' soy products have been through.
Soy milk is easily made without fermentation through some sort of water + milling mechanism (which may be the process large manufacturers use) and soy yoghurt may simply be this type of unfermented liquid which has been digested by various bacteria.
Perhaps the Western soy products haven't been fermented enough, or perhaps we lack something else in the diet that could offset the harmful effects of soy. |
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Wed Jan 17, 2007 11:40 pm |
| Yen that article is also a real eye opener. I am so glad I am not a soy user so I don't have the difficulty some people may now have in continuing to use soy products. To take this whole debate one step further, I think some cereal manufacturers should take a hard look at some of the additives they put in cereals to benefit women such as phyto-oestrogens. |
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Skin: Over 60, ex combination now sensitive, Cellcosmet |
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Thu Jan 18, 2007 1:52 am |
You are so right bushy! I hate all these "fortified" foods out there and try to avoid buying them.
We dont buy any of these cereals out there with all the additives (like Special K etc.), just plain old Vita Brits from Australia and Grape Nuts from USA. Both whole grain, both with heart tick and both without a slew of fortifiers. |
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SKIN: combination, reactive to climate changes and extremely fair. "Women complain about premenstrual syndrome, but I think of it as the only time of the month that I can be myself." --Roseanne |
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Thu Jan 18, 2007 2:34 pm |
Yes, the jury is definitely still out on soy. I avoid it -- too many phytoestrogens. I know it can be a convenient food for vegetarians, but the possible harmful aspects make me avoid it.
Soy has also been shown to neutralize Synthroid -- the most popular prescription drug for hypothyroidism. You get into too much endocrinologic murky water with soy.
Soy manufacturers have a strong lobby and great marketing. Don't believe everything they tell you. I personally believe there is going to be a violent soy-backlash in the next few years.
Remember, you herad it here first.  |
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tenderlovingwork.com, astonishing handmade gifts |
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Thu Jan 18, 2007 2:45 pm |
| I know they are still pushing hard to grow more and more genetically modified soy plants here in Oz and that may end up being their downfall as the die-hard soy users don't want genetically modified. |
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Skin: Over 60, ex combination now sensitive, Cellcosmet |
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Thu Jan 18, 2007 2:54 pm |
Tiger thanks for sharing this aritcle. I grew up in China and I used to, still am consuming lots of soy products. soy milk, soy beans, tofu, etc..i love them and i believe they are generally healthy foods.
now i am confused...how to explain the low breast cancer rate in Asia? especially Japan while people consume many soy products on daily basis? |
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Thu Jan 18, 2007 4:32 pm |
Grace, my thoughts exactly! Just keep in mind that for every study that comes out stating soy is unsafe, there'll be 5 others stating that it's healthy (and vice versa). I'm not taking a side here but you really can't make a truly informed theory based on one or two studies. You need to look at the preponderence of evidence, b/c just like the skincare we talk about on this forum, not everything works for everybody. I'll take the easy way out - "more research is needed"  |
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