LifeCare Chiropractic

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Soy

LOW TNF HELPS IN FIGHTING WITH CANCER CELLS – (07-25-05)

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Decreased Circulating Levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha in Postmenopausal Women during Consumption of Soy-Containing Isoflavones

Remember that the latest and greatest class of medications to hit the market are the  “biological agents,” such as the TNF-alpha blockers like Remicade and Enbral.  But I have serous long term concerns with this approach, as TNF-alpha is one of our body’s ways of dealing with cancer cells.  Well, instead of blocking the action of TNF-alpha, how about the novel concept of less of it in the first place?  We already know that lowering insulin levels can lower TNF-alpha levels, but now we see a whopping 66.7% reduction in circulating TNF-alpha levels after 10 weeks with use of a soy drink.  Lets compare.

TNF-alpha blockers:  probably increase risk of cancer, infections, TB, blah, blah, blah.  About $1K/month.  Soy:  protects against high cholesterol, lowers risk of breast and endometrial cancer, protects bone, some people allergic.  About $35/month.  Look on your rheumatologists face:  priceless.

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LOW GLYCEMIC INDEX DIET RISKS POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN – (03-27-06)

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Effect of a low glycemic index diet with soy protein and phytosterols on CVD risk factors in postmenopausal women

I have frequently voiced my unhappiness with most of the national anti-disease organizations. They take a very soft approach and seems like industry probably has a large voice in their recommendations. We have seen study after study finding stronger effects and better tolerability of a Mediterranean diet and low glycemic index diet vs the American Heart Association step 1 diet.

I guess my question is, with all the research coming out over the years, why haven’t the AHA changed their recommendations?

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EFFECT OF SOY CONSUMPTION – (04-04-05)

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The Effect of Soy Consumption on 2:16-Hydroxyestrone Ratio in Postmenopausal Women Depends on Equol Production Status but is not influenced by Probiotic Consumption

Here’s some background…the body metabolizes estrogens down several pathways.  The “2″ pathway is considered protective for certain types of cancer while the “16″ pathway is damaging.  It is known that equols, compounds produced by bacterial conversion of soy isoflavones in the gut, shift the metabolization of estrogen to the 2 pathway (so does indole-3-carbonol from cruciferous veggies).

So, the idea in this study was to give probiotics with soy to see how much of an effect on equol levels was seen.  There seems to be a subset of women that respond positively to this approach, but the researchers were not able to identify specifics.  I do have a question for the more research-minded readers out there…

This study used a 2 week washout period.  How can you get a washout period using probiotics?  All things being healthy–the probiotics should maintain in the GI tract.  I wonder how much this influenced the results?

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ELEVATED CRP LEVELS RESULTS IN ELEVATED CHOLESTEROL LEVELS – (05-23-05)

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Lipid Response to a Low-Fat Diet with or without Soy is Modified by C-Reactive Protein

In this study, the authors found that, if a patient has elevated CRP levels, than the AHA-type diet may actually result in elevated cholesterol levels.

This really reminds us that a “one size fits all” approach is not always the best way to go.  It also illustrates the point that many of us make–avoiding one class of macronutrients is not always a good idea.  It is very possible that a high-omega 3 fatty acid diet with high fiber would produce drastically different results.

Interestingly, however, there was a 13.5% increase in apolipoprotein levels which the authors threw into the “negative” category.  This would indicate a much better quality HDL cholesterol with this type of diet.

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SOY INTAKE REDUCES BREAST, ENDOMETRIAL AND PROSTATE CANCER RISK – (07-30-07)

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Epidemiologic evidence suggests that dietary phytoestrogen intake is associated with reduced risk of breast, endometrial, and prostate cancers

It amazes me how many anti-soy sentiments there are out there. Thryoid cancer, breast cancer, growing breasts on little boys, thyroid problems, infertility…the list is quite long. However, I have looked at many of the references the “anti-soy” people use. They just don’t hold up. I remember letter to the editor I wrote in response to an article damning soy. The journal let the author of this article rebut my letter. I checked her references and, out of 7 or so, 5 were in SUPPORT of soy!! She never checked her references!!

The vast majority of research articles on soy and phytoestrogens are positive, this one included. And I find it biased that there is concern over the phytates in soy blocking mineral absorption, but tea containing tannins are ok. Soy containing phytoestrogens are of concern, but eat all the lignans in flax you can grind up. You can’t have it both ways. That being said, I am in support of soy as being a part of a healthy lifestyle, but that does NOT mean processed soy this and processed soy that. Tofu, miso, soy nuts, soy milk, edemame–these are closer to Mother Nature’s intent. Textured vegetable protein and veggie burgers are less in Mother Nature’s plan.

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HOW TO LOWER RISKS OF PROSTATE CANCER? – (01-21-08)

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Soy Product and Isoflavone Consumption in Relation to Prostate Cancer in Japanese Men

There seems to be a never ending parade of people noting that soy is detrimental to our health. Unfortunately, many of the references they use do not hold up to scrutiny. Add to this that there are volumes of research on the beneficial aspects of soy and the isoflavones they contain. Keep in mind, however, that our bacterial flora in our gut plays a large role in how beneficial these isoflavones are. Over time, the bacteria in our gut “learn” to convert the isoflavones to their aglycones, and these aglycones are the compounds that are very protective for hormonal cancers.

This was a large study looking at whether soy protected against prostate cancer. For localized prostate cancer, soy consumption lowered risk almost 50%. However, it did increase the risk for advanced prostate cancer. Rather than deterring from soy consumption, I would suggest that soy should be part of a lifestyle of healthy changes, coupled with other lifestyles to lower risk of prostate cancer (sunlight exposure, no dairy, plant based diet, exercise, etc..).

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SOY BENEFITS HELPS TO INCREASE BONE DENSITY – (01-26-08)

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Effects of Phytoestrogen Genistein on Bone Metabolism in Osteopenic Postmenopausal Women

It still surprises me to hear such a strong anti-soy sentiment out there. Clearly, heavy, repeated exposure to any food antigen can lead to sensitivity, but the consistent research supporting the benefits of soy constituents makes any argument against soy sound weak.

This study finds the genistein compound from soy helping to increase bone density. However, as with any natural approach, improving bone density is multifactorial. Strong vit D status, calcium, a alkaline diet, exercise, whole body vibration. All these add up to increasing bone density. Sadly, many patients coming through my office are put on anti-resorptive therapy like Fosamax, but the lifestyle recommends rarely exceed “take Tums…”

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POSITIVE HEALTH BENEFITS OF SOY DECREASES RISK OF PROSTATE CANCER – (02-04-08)

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Dietary Isoflavones May Protect against Prostate Cancer in Japanese Men

There are no shortage of websites out there touting that soy is killing us all, causing infertility, breast cancer, thyroid cancer and mineral deficiencies. The research just doesn’t match all this fear. While allergy is a concern, I feel it’s more from overdosing infants with soy-based formulas then anything else.

Here we have yet another study finding positive health benefits of soy, with men with the highest levels of isoflavones in the blood having a whopping 58% decreased risk of prostate cancer in Japanese men when compared to men with the lowest. Now, there are other things to consider here. Not only is the intake of soy products important, but we have to have the right type of bacterial flora in the gut to convert the isoflavones in soy to their more potent counterparts–the aglycone form. So antibiotic use could drastically alter the protective effect of soy on risk of prostate cancer. So…next time your PCP gives you that antibiotic prescription for a viral infection, ask how this is going to alter your risk of prostate cancer by destruction of normal flora.

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