Women's Wellness Begins With Soy
Mounting Research Suggests a Host of Health Benefits for Women Who Consume Soy
ST. LOUIS, Dec. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Emerging research points to the beneficial role soy can play
in a woman's diet, potentially protecting her from breast cancer and bone loss, alleviating hot
flashes associated with menopause and even helping in weight management. These promising
findings stem from research presented at the recent Fifth International Symposium on the Role of
Soy in Preventing and Treating Chronic Disease in Orlando, Florida. Researchers from the Wake
Forest University School of Medicine presented findings from a primate study demonstrating that
dietary soy intake may decrease risk of postmenopausal breast cancer, by counteracting breast
cell proliferation caused by estrogen replacement therapy. The American Cancer Society
anticipates 267,000 breast cancer diagnoses and 40,200 breast cancer deaths in 2003. Janice
Peterson, a director of the United Soybean Board (USB) commented, "Breast cancer ranks second
among cancer-related deaths in women, and we need to do all we can to understand the benefits
soy may have in preventing and treating this and other chronic diseases." Peterson also noted,
"USB proudly sponsors the symposium to provide a forum for leading scientists from around the
world to discuss their continuing research and better understand the health effects of soy."
Additionally, Hong Kong researchers investigated the effect of soy isoflavones on bone health in
postmenopausal Chinese women, and found that habitual soy consumption played an important role
in maintaining bone mineral density at the hip as well as bone mineral content for the total
body. Eight million women have osteoporosis, a disease in which bones become fragile and prone
to breakage. Another 34 million people are at risk for osteoporosis and related fractures,
according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation. Research from the University of Minnesota
demonstrates a correlation between soy isoflavones and decrease in hot flash frequency during
menopause. The meta-analysis examined numerous clinical studies and noted that the majority of
the studies report a 30 to 50 percent reduction in symptoms with soy. The meta-analysis suggests
that isoflavone consumption results in significant reduction of hot flash frequency and marginal
reduction of hot flash severity. The World Health Organization estimates that 1.1 billion women
will be age 50 or older by the year 2025, and an unprecedented number of these women will live
several decades after menopause. Given the reluctance of many women to undergo estrogen
replacement therapy, soy may provide a viable alternative. Finally, preliminary research from
the University of Kentucky suggests a relationship between soy protein intake and weight
management. This may have particular relevance in high protein diets, which decrease appetite
and promote the feeling of fullness (satiety). Soy may have the most effect in reducing
abdominal fat and in promoting weight loss most rapidly among the obese. The United Soybean
Board (USB) is a farmer-led organization comprising 62 farmer-directors. USB oversees the
investments of the soybean checkoff on behalf of all U.S. soybean farmers. For more information
on soy and health, please visit talksoy.comtalksoy.comOpen ↗.
SOURCE United Soybean Board Web Site: talksoy.comtalksoy.comOpen ↗
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