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LET’S CLEAR UP THE CONFUSION ABOUT SOY

23 February 2010

If you have Breast Cancer, have you been warned  AGAINST using Soy Protein?

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If your answer is YES, then you have been misinformed. Here is some information intended to help clear up the confusion regarding whether soy is a “good” food or a “bad” food for you.  (Be sure to read the post  titled Soy may reduce diabetes risk in overweight women on some new information about the benefits of soy).

First of all, it is important to know the reason why women have been warned against using soy if they have breast cancer. It is a known fact  that many cancers are estrogen fed. If a woman has an estrogen fed cancer, Tamoxifen is usually prescribed. The drug is intended to fit into the cell’s receptor sites where estrogen normally fits, to block out the body’s estrogen. (Estrogen causes the growth of cancer to accelerate.)

Since soy is a “phytoestrogen” food, it contains components that will also fit into the receptor sites on cells where estrogen would normally fit. Phytoestrogen foods are not estrogens, but rather contain molecules that the body uses to manufacture estrogens.

Now here is where the confusion comes in. Since soy is a “phytoestrogen” food many health care professionals have warned women not to eat it for fear that it will also cause an acceleration in the growth of breast cancer. However, the “missing link” of information is this ….. phytoestrogens are 1/1000th as strong as the body’s own estrogen.

Because phytoestrogens are so weak, but they fit into the same receptor sites as estrogen, they block out estrogen hormones which are 1000x stronger …. therefore, having a protective affect, similar to Tamoxifen, but without all the undesirable affects of Tamoxifen. Just some of the undesirable side affects of tamoxifen include …

Increased risk of stroke
Increased risk of cataracts & blindness
Increased risk of liver dysfunction
Causes white blood cell depletion & anermia
Causes phlebitis (inflammation of the blood vessels)
Causes depression, nausea, hot flashes, vaginal dryness
Causes loss of libido
Increases risk of uterine cancer
Note: after five years, breast cancer protection benefits wane

Due to it’s protective benefits, soy is one of the BEST foods a woman with breast cancer can consume. One naturopathic doctor described soy’s benefits as follows:
Soy Isoflavones Decrease Cancer Stimulation
Fill the bloodstream with phytoestrogens (soy molecules)
They will bind to the cell’s receptor spaces where stronger estrogens would normally bind

When phytoestrogens block estrogens from binding to the receptors, they are called ANTAGONISTS, meaning they work against or block out the stronger estrogen hormone.

This prevents the strong stimulation of cancer cells by the estrogen hormones.

With less stimulation from estrogens, cancer cells grow much slower and are more susceptible to control by the immune system.

Also, research reports that isoflavones from soybeans (in particular “genisteins”) actually suppress tumor growth even in tumors that are not influenced by hormonal activity.
Research is discovering that phytoestrogens are inhibitors of breast, uterine, bowel and prostate cancer.

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION: When an informed woman with cancer wisely chooses to consume soy, she must know several things about how to choose her soy … choose raw soy powder, (not pasteurized soy milk or roasted soy beans). The soy powder must be made from organically grown, non-genetically grown soybeans. It must be water washed (not alcohol washed), and must have the anti-thyroid/anti-growth hormone removed. (see quality control details).

Foods with Phytoestrogens
(soy & flaxseed are the strongest)

Fruits & vegetables, cherries, broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts,
cabbage, tomatoes, garlic, onions, peppers, yams

Herbs & seasonings, aniseed, fennel, licorice, parsley, red raspberry,
red clover, sage, hops, flaxseed, black cohosh, dong quai

Beans, grains & seeds, peas, soy, garbanzo beans, bulgur, wheat germ,
rye.

If you’d like more info, lets talk!

COMING NEXT…A CHECK LIST OF WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN CHOOSING A SOY PROTEIN SUPPLEMENT.

Thanks for reading, please share your thoughs and comments with our community using the options below.

Sincerely,

Sandy

18 Comments »

  • David Merrill said:

    Thanks for the clarification Sandy. I just assumed all protein was contraindicated for all cancer. I would have thought that soy, being such a high quality and highly utilized protein, would be on the list of prevention. I know, for instance, that many alternative cancer diets are focused on a macrobiotic protocol that is devoid of proteins and all complex foods, for that matter. I know, too, that acidosis is basic to carcinogenetic progression, so perhaps soy is a more alkaline form of protein. I’d love to hear, Sandy, just how effective you think any diet is as a frontline cancer therapy. And again, thanks for this enlightening information!

    [Reply]

    FoodSuppSandy Reply:
    February 24th, 2010 at 5:01 am

    You’re welcome, David. As a matter of fact, people who don’t understand the differences in proteins have sometimes thought that soy was the one that shouldn’t be used. All of the later science shows that it is the best one to use.

    There are a few diets that are helpful in fighting cander. The diet is not the whole picture, but is incredibly important.

    Lelt’s talk about it more.

    Thanks again,
    Sandy

    [Reply]

    # 23 February 2010 at 7:19 pm
  • Lyn-Dee Eldridge said:

    Hi Sandy,

    Thanks for this great blog. I am 49 and need to follow this. Love it and so easy to follow!
    Many {{hugs}}
    Lyn-Dee Eldridge, CPC, CPMC
    http://www.lyn-dee.com

    [Reply]

    FoodSuppSandy Reply:
    February 25th, 2010 at 10:15 pm

    Hi Lyn-Dee,
    Thank you for the nice words. Stay tuned today or tomorrow for the next one.

    Hugs back,

    Sandy

    [Reply]

    # 23 February 2010 at 7:25 pm
  • donna merrill said:

    Thank you for this informative article. I live on soy or vegetable protein. No furry faces lol – My husband is a cancer survivor and we ate foods so much like your article. This article is great for people who are not in the “know” and that is more than half the population.
    Thank you for sharing your information with us.

    [Reply]

    FoodSuppSandy Reply:
    February 24th, 2010 at 4:55 am

    Thank you so much for your comments, Donna. The next article clarifies some of the differences and what to look for in a soy protein or soy product. It is great to hear about your husband.

    Thanks again,
    Sandy

    [Reply]

    # 23 February 2010 at 10:48 pm
  • John McGinn said:

    Sandy,

    Thanks, very informative post about the misgivings of soy. Looking forward to reading your next one!

    Blessings,

    John
    John McGinn´s last blog ..Leaders Take Action My ComLuv Profile

    [Reply]

    FoodSuppSandy Reply:
    February 25th, 2010 at 10:11 pm

    Thanks Jon, I am posting the next one today or tomorrow. Stay tuned.

    [Reply]

    # 24 February 2010 at 3:36 am
  • Jan Hill said:

    I am just learning so much from your posts Sandy! Thank you so much! There may be hope for me yet!
    Jan Hill´s last blog ..The BIG 5 0 – Exercise and Fitness for Baby Boomers My ComLuv Profile

    [Reply]

    # 24 February 2010 at 3:38 am
  • FoodSuppSandy (author) said:

    Hi Jan, Thanks for the nice words. I’m looking forward to
    your comments on some of the other posts.

    Thanks again
    Sandy,

    [Reply]

    # 24 February 2010 at 4:51 am
  • Beth Allen said:

    I really appreciate you sharing this ~ I know it is a very controversial subject, and navigating the waters can be incredibly tricky. I have a few people close to me who are fighting breast cancer or survivors, and will pass this blog post along to them.

    Thanks so much Sandy!
    Beth Allen´s last blog ..The Power of Perseverance My ComLuv Profile

    [Reply]

    # 1 March 2010 at 2:39 am
  • FoodSuppSandy (author) said:

    Thank you so much for your comments, Beth. Be sure to also read the next post on Soy as well so you can pass both of them on. It is critical that the right soy is used and this explains it more.

    http://bestsupplementsforwomen.com/soy-safet-quality-control-checklist

    Thanks again,
    Sandy

    [Reply]

    # 1 March 2010 at 2:45 am
  • Kellie Hosaka said:

    Mahalo (thank you) for this very informative post Sandy! There is so much great value here. So many people are misinformed about soy.

    Aloha,
    Kellie :)
    Kellie Hosaka´s last blog ..MY PRIVATE AND VERY PERSONAL ADDICTION TO FOOD My ComLuv Profile

    [Reply]

    FoodSuppSandy Reply:
    March 3rd, 2010 at 6:14 am

    Kellie, I really appreciate your kind words. I hope the second part is as valuable to you as this was.
    Thanks again,
    Sandy

    [Reply]

    # 2 March 2010 at 10:49 pm
  • Garth said:

    Sandy this is wonderful.
    Garth

    [Reply]

    FoodSuppSandy Reply:
    March 3rd, 2010 at 6:13 am

    WOW! Garth. Thank you! I hope the other one on Soy, (actually part 2) is as good in your opinion.

    Sandy

    [Reply]

    # 3 March 2010 at 4:31 am
  • Joe Emmet said:

    Hi Sandy,

    Finding accurate, trustworthy data/info is hard to do — Thank you!

    Isn’t it amazing that there are some 125 plus chemical pollutants in our environment that very strongly mimic estrogen (effectively impacting female health as if they were estrogen). Why isn’t this more widely discussed in the literature?

    Equally mind boggling is what “Big Business” America has done to alter our food and health! Between corporate farms who focus on volume not NUTRITION, Pharma who want us to believe that all we need is a little pill (with an Encyclopedia’s worth of contraindications attached), the FDA, AMA and USDA (with their genetically modified — likely toxic affect on us)the deck is decidedly stacked against us.

    Looking forward to more info on Soy. BTW, I’m not a milk drinker (of any kind except hot chocolate when I’m skiing). However, I’m very interested in knowing more about substituting soy for fish (I love it — but harder to find true “wild caught”), chicken and beef (put up with it, but have been cutting back dramatically the last 10 years).

    You’ve probably read this (perhaps your readers would find it very useful reading as well): “The Empty Harvest” by Dr. Bernard Jensen. Guaranteed to scare you (it was written 20 years ago; things have only gotten worse!).

    Looking forward to your next post,

    Joe

    [Reply]

    FoodSuppSandy Reply:
    March 3rd, 2010 at 11:50 pm

    Thank you so much Joe,
    You are so right about the chemical pollutants mimicing estrogen and how our foods have been adullterated sometimes beyond recognition. There is another post on soy and its beneficial effects on women with breast cancer. How interesting that you bring up Dr. Jensen. We lived only a few miles from his clinic when we were in So. Ca. Hadn’t thought of him in years.

    Sty tuned.l I’ll be posting on all of these issues and more over time.

    Thanks again for the kind words.

    Sandy

    [Reply]

    # 3 March 2010 at 11:42 pm

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