Soy is found to be beneficial as part of balanced diet (New Study)

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Soy is found to be beneficial as part of balanced diet

 

 

 

The Washington Times

May 9, 2006 Tuesday

 

Soy: Healthy choice?

Studies find it beneficial as part of balanced diet

 

By Jen Waters, THE WASHINGTON TIMES

 

To eat soy or not to eat soy? That's the question many people concerned about

their health are asking, says Jennifer Reilly, senior nutritionist for the

Cancer Project, a nonprofit organization in Northwest that encourages a healthy

diet as a means of cancer prevention and survival.

The consensus lately has been that soy, like most other foods, is good eaten

in moderation as part of a balanced, low-fat diet of whole grains, fruits and

vegetables, Ms. Reilly says. It may help prevent cancer, fight heart disease and

make bones stronger, she says.

" The bulk of the research shows that soy is beneficial, especially when

consumed as a typical Asian diet, " Ms. Reilly says.

With about 30 to 40 studies published on soy every month, it is possible to

find a study to back almost every position on the food, Ms. Reilly says.

One recent study, " Meta-Analysis of Soy Intake and Breast Cancer Risk, " looked

at 18 epidemiologic studies on soy exposure and breast cancer risk, finding that

soy consumption is helpful for preventing breast cancer, she says. The study was

conducted at John Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore and published in

April's Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

" The gray area is when women have had estrogen-receptor-positive breast

cancer, " Ms. Reilly says. " Since it's a gray area, we're not sure how much soy

is safe for that person. Although a lot of researchers say it's probably still

fine to have two to three servings a day, other researchers say since it's a

gray area that you might as well do without it. "

The study didn't address soy consumption among breast cancer survivors, the

use of supplements and powders made of soy and the effects of soy consumption at

different stages of life.

Another area of debate has been how soy affects thyroid function, Ms. Reilly

says. It has been thought that goitrogens, natural chemicals in soy, interfere

with iodine absorption in the thyroid.

" These foods only will cause problems when someone is not getting enough

iodine in the diet, " Ms. Reilly says. " Eating soy is part of a healthy, balanced

diet, making sure you have enough iodine. Iodine is in seaweed, sea vegetables

and iodized salt. "

Soy should be included in a healthy diet, says Cynthia Clark, oncology

nutrition specialist at Washington Cancer Institute at the Washington Hospital

Center in Northwest.

Some health experts have argued that because soy has phytochemicals, including

estrogenic isoflavones, the estrogen could disrupt a person's hormonal balance.

Although phytochemicals battle cancers by removing toxins and preventing

cancer cells from multiplying, there has been concern that isoflavones could

adversely affect fertility in men, pregnant women and breast cancer patients.

However, only those people who eat an excessive amount of soy - several

servings a day, every day - should cut back, Ms. Clark says. Further, research

on these topics is inconclusive, she adds.

" I don't think there is any reason to be scared and cut all soy out of your

life, " Ms. Clark says. " Soy in general provides protein, calcium, soluble and

insoluble fiber to regulate bowel movements, and polyunsaturated fats. "

Lactose intolerant people who cannot eat milk products or those people trying

to lower their cholesterol might benefit from soy products, she says.

Where science is especially uncertain is whether soy supplements are

beneficial or if they are at all risky, she says. There are various soy pills

and powders. When soy is processed, the levels of isoflavones changes.

" If people wanted to take soy supplements, I would not encourage that, " Ms.

Clark says. " If they eat a well-balanced diet, they will get the nutrients that

they need. "

Although researchers don't have full answers about soy, they have enough

answers to ease people's minds and figure out a healthy eating strategy, says

Karen Collins, nutrition adviser to the American Institute for Cancer Research

in Northwest.

Any benefit of soy may depend on what point in the life cycle the person

consumes it, she says. For instance, if soy is consumed during adolescence, it

might change the way breast tissue is developed, she says. It possibly could

become more resistant to developing breast cancer.

" Consumers need to be careful when they hear broad generalizations, " Ms.

Collins says. " We need to look at when the soy was consumed. We need to avoid

generalizing [that] soy is protective. "

More investigation about the full benefits and drawbacks of soy should be

done, says Julie Leopold, nutrition program manager at Inova HealthSource in

Fairfax.

Until then, people shouldn't drink 10 glasses of soy milk a day, but they also

shouldn't be paranoid if they eat soy occasionally.

" It's a good option if you're a vegetarian or lactose intolerant, " Mrs.

Leopold says. " For the general population, it's a good supplement to a regular

diet, to have soy once a day, as a good source of non-cholesterol protein. It

definitely has some proven heart benefits. "

 

 

 

 

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