Safety of 1) caramel coloring 2) aspertame and 3) processed soy

deltaskye

I have been posting in another topic while I waited for mammogram/ultrasound results (a nodule has been given an all clear). But I am curious as to what others know about the safety of the three things listed in my Subject line.

I am a vegetarian of more than 35 years. To supplement the lack of animal protein, I have been eating soy products all these years. These days there are thousands of processed-soy foods (as opposed to "raw" tofu), such as those found in the frozen section of Whole Foods. My GP has stated a couple times that processed-soy food could be dangerous and urged me to eliminate it from my diet; she said that unprocessed soy (those rubbery chunks of tofu) are safe. She said that processed-soy foods could "feed" cancer (I'm paraphrasing her actual words). I believe the reasoning is that the isoflavones in soy are similar chemically to estrogen, but I'm not sure where the processing vs. unprocessed state comes into play.

I have not been able to find verification by searching the Internet. In fact, one article I read (by manufacturers of soy foods) stated just the opposite: that isoflavones might improve the prognosis for women with breast cancer.

Is anyone familiar with the research, data and scientific findings about soy and cancer?

Also, the Washington Post's science/health section recently had a little blurb that stated the caramel coloring in cola drinks could increase the risk of cancer (again, paraphrasing). Anyone have more insight on this? I worry because I drink a couple Diet Cokes each day and have done for years.

Finally, what is the latest scientific thinking about aspartame and cancer? I have read many articles on this over the years, but nothing recently. My impression has always been that opinions are divided.

Thank in advance. I hope I've posted in the correct forum.

MelissaDallas

I believe in all things in moderation. I refuse to live my life on hyperalert that half the things in my life are toxic or evil, because if you google too much you can get to that point. I believe that most of the reason for breast cancer will be found to be genetic and nothing we do or eat wrong. I will not live my life in fear of everything I eat or am exposed to. I will not make myself miserable with extreme eating plans or diets. The current research shows that the best outcomes actually had the highest ingestion of soy products.

deltaskye

Agreed - you can drive yourself crazy trying to follow all the guidance. And the guidance sometimes does a 360, such as with HRT. But when an educated physician insists on something, it gives me pause.

Interestingly, I had very little difficulty with menopause. No hot flashes, sweats, headaches, etc. I did have some mood swings. But I wonder if the years of soy ingestion had accumulated benefits so that menopause was easy for me.

Blessings2011

I love my MO. In addition to being an incredible clinician, she is a dedicated researcher, and Chief of the Department of Oncology.

Prior to my BC dx, I consumed plenty of soy, mostly in the form of soy milk, and soy protein isolates.

After my BMX, I asked her if I needed to give up soy completely, as it seemed to be everywhere. Her answer was no.

She did prefer that I switch from soy milk to Lactaid (which has worked very well!), and that I could switch from soy protein to whey protein in my nutritional shakes. But when she referred me to the Optifast Weight Management program at Kaiser, I pointed out that each product contained soy protein isolates.

She was not a bit concerned. She said that most of the clinical research showing a link between soy and breast cancer had been done in the late 1980's and early 1990's. However, the most recent studies had NOT proven a link between small amounts of soy consumption and any effect on BC.

Even though I am 100% ER+, she said it was completely safe to consume products with small amounts of soy, and to not stress about it.

Can't speak to the issue of caramel coloring, but as for Aspartame, YIKES!!!!  I have a horrid, systemic reaction to anything containing Aspartame. I itch all over, sometimes breaking out in hives, and have a headache that takes days to resolve. No Aspartame for me!!!

deltaskye

Thank you Blessings2011. It appears from your post that large amounts of soy ARE a concern, at least to your doctor. Can you be more specific? Since I eat large amounts of soy, I'm trying to pin down any scientific data that indicates it is risky.

Since I raised the issue of caramel coloring (I said "flavoring," but it's caramel coloring that is the issue), I tracked down the article from the Post's health section. Don't want to leave any half-baked info on this board.

From the article:

"It turns out that federal regulations describe four types of caramel coloring...in the fourth variety of caramel coloring--the kind used in Coke and Pepsi--sugars are reacted with both ammonium and sulfite compounds. Both the regulations and some manufacturers' Web sites call this form of caramel coloring Caramel IV, or less appetizingly, ammonia-sulfite process caramel.

Reacting sugars with ammonia results in the formation of numerous chemical byproducts. Two of them, 2-methylimidazole and 4-methylimidazole, have been shown in government studies to promote lung, liver, and thyroid tumors in laboratory rats and mice.

California public health officials recently placed 4-methylimidazole on the state's list of known carcinogens. Scientists at the University of California at Davis recently found significant levels of 4 methylimidazole in colas that far exceeds what the state considers to be safe. This sets the stage for warning labels on diet and regular Coke and Pepsi and many other soft drinks unless the companies shift to safer colorings. Going one step further, the Center for Science in the Public Interest is today asking the Food and Drug Administration to bar the use of ammonia- and ammonia-sulfite process caramel colorings.

Considering that the purpose of this contaminated caramel coloring is purely cosmetic, we hope the FDA quickly acts to protect Americans from an unnecessary cancer risk.

leggo

Sounds like you've gotten some great info. I don't know enough about soy to comment, but I can make an educated guess that the processed stuff is full of not-so-good stuff to make it taste more savoury and I'd be a pot calling the kettle black if I commented on the caramel coloring (I drink a Coke almost every day), but Aspertame, to me, is about the worst thing you can put in your body. I think it's a horrible substance and can't believe it's still on the market. As a matter of fact, one of my X-mas presents was a Soda Stream machine. I was so excited....make my own Coke....but noted that every single syrup is sweetened with Splenda. I normally eat and drink what I like in small doses, but I draw the line at fake sugar. Had to take it back.

deltaskye

I just ordered a SodaStream device, gracie1! First I read dozens of comments from consumers, especially those who wanted to make diet soda, but also other drinks. I love tea (hot and cold) but rarely like it without sweetener. I also want to experiment with flavored water. Of course I don't need the SodaStream for tea and water, but reading the comments got me thinking about non-soda drinks.

I share your concern about Splenda. So I searched for sweetener made with Truvia and found Liquid Stevia Trial Flavors (four trial flavors) on Amazon. Am awaiting delivery.

Blessings2011

deltaskye - I wish I could be more specific on just how much soy constitutes a "large amount"....but I can't. All I can say is that I was drinking soy protein shakes several times a day in an attempt to try to lose weight.

I made each drink with soy milk and soy protein powder. The only thing my MO told me was to knock off the soy milk and switch to Lactaid.

She did say that when reading labels, if soy, or any soy product appeared near the end of the list of ingredients, it meant that there was only a small amount in that particular product. Like I said, I was really concerned about the soy protein isolates in the Optifast products I was using, but she wasn't concerned at all.

As for the caramel coloring....double yikes!!! In addition to reacting badly to all nitrites and nitrates, I have horrible reactions to all sulfites and sulfates!!! So I guess it's a good thing that I don't drink colas....

I have, however, accepted the fact that I will use Splenda. During my weight loss program, we were allowed to use Torani Sugar Free Syrups to flavor our shakes and other beverages. I figure the amount I've used in the past 9 months has probably already done whatever damage it's going to do. But it got me off of sugar!!! WOOT!!! And it helped me lose the 60 pounds I needed to lose, so now I can transition back to Stevia. 

leggo

Looks like I'll get to keep my SodaStream after all!. I went to return it and the young lady asked why, I told her I don't do Splenda and she said they have another line of syrups made with cane sugar....mostly flavored sparkling waters....which is what I love anyway (the bubbles). So I gave them a try. They taste very good. If you wouldn't mind deltaskye, let me know how you like those sweetened with Stevia when they arrive. I think I've been drinking Coke all these years because I love that bubble burn on the way down. It's kinda awesome to double the bubbles in the sparkling water for the same effect, though I may empty a canister waaayyyy before it's time. Have fun with your machine deltaskye, and if you wouldn't mind, please let me know how you like those sweetened with Stevia once they arrive.

deltaskye

I'll be happy to let you know. The other lovely thing about using the SodaStream is we lose the caffeine and sodium.

There was another Stevia-based flavor that I ran across via the Internet, but I decided to return to it later. It is a 3 ounce jar of cherry-flavored stuff. I may check it out after these other samples arrive.

Natlie38

I think if 'large amounts' of soy feeds your cancer, why would you even eat small amounts of it, if you are ER/PR positive like I am? I am a vegetarian and I have stopped eating soy protein since I was diagnosed with cancer.

deltaskye

Well, my question is whether it's scientifically confirmed that soy feeds cancer. (I don't have cancer, but came to this forum after having a "bad" mammogram recently.) My GP warned me away from processed soy, but not fresh unprocessed tofu. When pressed she would not state emphatically that soy causes cancer. I've read mixed opinions on the Internet. I completely understand those that choose to avoid it entirely to be on the safe side.

I figured the users of this forum would be able to point me toward focused scientific data that confirms the relationship between soy and some cancers.

Myklee2001

There is must controversy about soy and breast cancer. I, for one am convinced that I got my breast cancer from soy isolate products. I was on Medifast for a year prior. It worked well, I lost 35lbs, I felt great, actually too good. It amped my pretty normal 50 year old sex drive to that of a 15 year old boy going through Puberty! When I reach my goal I went off it and gained 10 lbs back so I restarted it again 3 months prior to my diagnosis again it amped up my sex drive. The diet consisted of 5 soy meals a day and then one lean and green meal ( chicken breast and a vegetable). I have no breast cancer nor any cancer in both sides of my family and I have a large family! I would suggest staying away from any products that have soy isolate !