Re: Soy Intake May Modify Risk of Breast Cancer

Can you elaborate between types of soy consumption? There's a huge difference between the traditional asian use of soy(mostly fermented, and not a huge part of the diet), and the way westerners are consuming it now(soy milk, soy burgers, soy protein isolate, soy energy bars, soylent green, etc).

The most balanced study I've come across is this one:

http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/full/131/11/3095S


Conclusion:

The available data, reviewed above, indicate the lack of any convincing information to substantiate either of two extreme and opposing claims, each of which has been prominently and repeatedly put forth in both the lay and scientific literature. These two claims are as follows: 1) soy is protective against Breast Cancer and because of this should be recommended for consumption by healthy women and Breast Cancer patients; and 2) soy is harmful for women with a history of or at high risk for Breast Cancer and because of this should be avoided by such women.

The honest response to each of these diametrically opposed claims is that no convincing data exist to support either claim. In fact, there are strongly conflicting data regarding both. As such, if women (with or without breast cancer) enjoy partaking of soy products, then it seems quite reasonable for them to partake of them. As with most things, moderation in intake is probably wise. In this regard, Asian soy intake may serve as a general guide for Western women.

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There is also a lot of data out there that correlates abnormalities in thyroid function and an increased risk of breast cancer:

http://www.thyroid-info.com/articles/breast-cancer.htm


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And, soy suppresses thyroid function:

http://thyroid.about.com/cs/soyinfo/a/soy_2.htm


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and around we go...:)