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By Steve Langenegger. B.Sc. Hons. A.M.I.O.B.

Soy has been promoted for many years as one of nature’s great natural whole foods. Even the great Henry Ford took a huge interest in the humble Asian soy bean. He brought soy to the United States where he personally invested in the farming, harvesting and commercialising of the bean. Even parts of the early Ford motor vehicles such as the dashboard were derived from soy!Soy is a great natural food, containing high levels of protein (good alternative to animal-based protein), complex carbohydrates, fats and numerous minerals and vitamins. Health Authorities have responded favourably to research indicating protein rich foodstuffs like soy offer high nutritional value.In 2001, the South African Ministry of Public Enterprise initiated a Memorandum, which was passed by cabinet, endorsing the possible utilisation of high nutrition products of Specialised Protein Products, then a subsidiary of Denel (and manufacturer of soy products such as Soya Life) in government feeding schemes.In response to research that indicated combining 25 grams of soy protein a day with a low fat diet, may significantly lower total cholesterol, and "bad" cholesterol (Low Density Lipoprotein) in people with elevated cholesterol, the Food and Drug Administration or FDA (U.S. based health authority) permitted food manufacturers to label soy protein products as probably playing a role in the lowering of heart disease risk. Soy beans probably play a role in preventing or aiding in the control of many disease entities and/or nutrition-related disorders such as osteoporosis, cancer, diabetes, menopausal symptoms to name but a few.Health authorities such as the FDA, limit its health claim to foodstuffs containing intact soy protein ("whole foods") such as is found in the Soya Life range. Importantly, the claim does not extend to isolated substances from soy protein such as daidzein and genistein. However, controversy has raised its head relating to potential health risks involving certain components in soy products, especially the isoflavones. The problem some researchers state is that isoflavones are phyto-oestrogens (weak form of oestrogen that may have a drug-like effect on the body). This effect may be pronounced in post-menopausal women, and may suggest that high isoflavone levels might increase cancer risk. In a recent meeting of the World Congress on Menopause, the approach to menopause management has been one of lifestyle measures, as well as various replacement therapies (such as oestrogen replacement therapy). The understanding of the role of plant derived or phyto- oestrogens (or isoflavones) in menopause management continues to grow. An international study reviewing soy intake in post menopausal women and mammographic density was presented at the meeting, 395 non-hysterectomised women of 45 years or older were chosen, and their breast density analysed. The objective of the study was to analyse the breast density changes in the women treated with standardised soy isoflavone extract. (Mammographic density is a strong indicator of breast cancer risk). After a year, no significant change in breast density was observed, suggesting that intake of approved standardised soy extract did not increase the risk of breast cancer. However these results need to be confirmed in patients who are on a three year study.Research presented at the most recent American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) international conference showed that the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) count, which can identify prostate enlargement or cancer, dropped in 34 percent of a group of men, after they ate soy protein daily for several months.For more proven cancer protection, however, cancer survivors and everyone else should concentrate on the following: reaching and maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and eating a mostly plant-based diet centered around vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans. Choose to eat real fruits and vegetables. These foods naturally contain potent cancer-fighting substances. Overwhelming scientific evidence shows the more fruits and vegetables people eat, the lower their rates of cancer, including breast cancer. However, when substances from fruits and vegetables are isolated and studied for their protective effects, the results are not as convincing. Scientists believe the best cancer protection comes from the vast array and balance of nutrients and phytochemicals found in real food.Choose to manage weight, especially after menopause. Extra fat cells produce extra estrogen, a hormone that nourishes certain types of breast cancer. Interestingly, the risk for breast cancer is higher for women who became overweight as adults. It is also higher for women with "apple" shapes who carry extra weight around the middle instead of hips or thighs. "Apple-shaped women" are also at a higher risk for heart disease and diabetes if weight gets out of control.Choose to abstain from alcohol or drink moderately. Women who drink more than one alcoholic drink a day (one drink equals 5 ounces of wine or 12 ounces of beer or 1 ounce of liquor) increase their risk for developing breast cancer.Choose to eat less fat. We still don’t know if fat is really a risk factor for breast cancer, but it is interesting that breast cancer is lowest in populations of people who eat less fat.Choose to exercise. Exercise increases the activity of infection-fighting T-cells and may increase survival for women who have gone through chemotherapy, according to research conducted at Pennsylvania State University. Another recent study found women who exercised moderately three to five hours a week were less likely to die of breast cancer than women who exercised less than an hour a week.Choose to eat soy foods sensibly. A recent review in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association states soy foods may be protective against breast cancer, especially when consumed from an early age over many years, as Asian populations do.