Vegan and vegetarian diets protect health of teen girls

[Guest guest]

What young girls eat—especially during puberty—can impact their risk of getting

breast cancer in adulthood. Researchers theorize that certain compounds in food

affect breast tissue as that tissue is developing. The result can be an increase

in lifelong protection against cancer or an increased risk.

 

For example, scientists have been speculating for decades that the anti-estrogen

effects of isoflavones—compounds that are unique to soyfoods—are responsible for

differences in breast cancer rates between Western and Japanese women. But,

there is no clear consensus that adding soyfoods to the diet in adulthood will

lower breast cancer risk.

 

However, some very interesting studies suggest that when young girls consume

soyfoods, their risk for breast cancer later in life is much lower. A National

Cancer Institute study found that risk for breast cancer was 58% lower for women

who had consumed soyfoods between the ages of 5 and 11 years. A study in

China—where soy consumption differs greatly across different regions—found that

consuming soy between the ages of 13 and 15 was associated with a 49% reduction

in breast cancer risk.

 

While the studies aren't conclusive, it clearly makes sense for young girls to

consume soyfoods that are rich in isoflavones. Soymilk (choose a brand that is

fortified with calcium and vitamin D) and tofu are the best sources.

 

More recently, Harvard researchers looked at the effect of red meat consumption

during adolescence. They asked more than 40,000 women what they ate in high

school, and then followed their health over the next seven years. Those who

reported eating the most red meat and processed meat during their teen years had

a more than 30% higher risk for getting breast cancer as adults.

 

Vegan teens are most likely to reap these benefits since they don't eat meat and

are more likely than non-vegans to consume soy products. Studies also show that

young vegetarians and vegans have higher intakes of fruits and vegetables and

whole grains—all of which may protect against chronic disease. And that's

important since eating patterns and preferences are often established early in

life. And signs of certain chronic diseases are showing up earlier in children

than ever before.

 

So do your daughter a favor. Replace the hamburgers in her diet with veggie

burgers and pour her a glass of fortified soymilk. Her lifelong health may

depend on it.