Soy and Cancer Prevention

Posted by Tarin Harris
7
Jul 4, 2007
737 Views
Soy Protein Consumption Can Reduce the Risk of Prostate Cancer in Men

ST. LOUIS, Jul 06, 2005 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Regular consumption of soy protein-containing foods and beverages may reduce the risk of prostate cancer in men by as much as 30 percent, according to a study recently published by the International Journal of Cancer, a medical research e-publication.

Authored by Lin Yan, Ph.D., director of cancer research for The Solae Company and Edward Spitznagel, Ph.D., professor of mathematics at Washington University, the study is a meta-analysis of eight population studies that investigated consumption of soy protein-containing foods in relation to prostate cancer in men.


Five of these studies were completed in the U.S. and Canada; while three were conducted in Asian countries. The meta-analysis of these studies demonstrated a dramatic 30 percent reduction in the risk of prostate cancer in men who regularly consumed soy protein-containing foods.






The finding of this study is also consistent and supported by a cross-national analysis of prostate mortality rate in relation to nutritional factors using data from United Nations sources. In the 42 countries which the appropriate data is available, soy consumption is correlated to a significantly lower mortality rate from prostate cancer. The protection from soy is demonstrated to be at least four times greater than from any other dietary factors that were analyzed.

"Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths for American men, exceeded only by lung cancer," said Dr. Yan. "A diet that contains soy protein may be able to help prevent them from ever having to deal with this deadly disease."


The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2005 there will be 232,090 new cases of prostate cancer and 30,350 deaths from prostate cancer in the U.S. alone.

"In addition to preventing prostate cancer, other benefits of incorporating soy protein in a daily diet are slowly coming to light including maintaining overall health, lowering cholesterol, and slowing the development of diabetes," said Dr. Yan. "Most research points toward soy protein being considered a true 'super' food."

SOURCE: The Solae Company


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