soy

From what I understand it is not good for us bc survivors to take large amounts of soy.  I don't know what a large amount is though....It might be good to ask your Doc.  Let us know what he says.  Tami

I know--I wish we had the final word on soy. My onc said they really don't know and to stay away form any supplements but that soy in food should be fine. I am not eating any though as was ER+--and will have to chk my multi-vitamin now!

I am reading a book though (by an MD) that said there has been a lot of good results seen from soy on breast cancer and  that the study that caused concern was one where they pulled one nutrient from soy and gave it to women as a supplement. She believes foods work as a whole(synergistically) and are better generally than taking supplements. If anyone wants more info on the book let me know...I thought it was good info. 

I would STOP taking that vitamin. I was told only fermented soy - but I decided no soy no matter the kind. Hugs!

Iza, that makes sense actually. Plus we have so much soy in things where you don't expect soy...in processed foods and oil in foods. I just noticed soybean oil is the first ingredient in my multi-vitamin! Asian wouldn't really drink soymilk since they don't traditionally have dairy so they wouldn't be replacing milk with it.

The studies I have read say that a typical Asian woman receives 30 to 50 mg of isoflavones per day by eating Tofu, miso, tempeh and other soy based foods.   By contrast, American women get about 2 mg of isoflavones daily.  Isoflavones are naturally dervived from soy.

 Regarding phytoestrogens, a controlled study published in 1997 edition of Lancet assessed the link between phytoestrogen consumption and breast cancer risk.   Reserachers concluded that a high urginary excretion of phytoestrogens correlated wtih a reduction in breast cancer risk.   Of course, the only way you can get phytoestrogens in your urine is to consume them.   Phytoestrogens are the nemesis of synthetic hormones found in HRT.   Planst with estrogen -like substances are "user friendly" and appear to naturally support the female reproductive system.  Traditional HRT does just the opposite.  Unlike risky synthetic estrogens, plant estrogens are natural and easily accepted compounds that are swiftly broken down and don't build up in human tissue like artificial hormones.  The accumulation of hormones in tissues can prompt the formation of tumors.   Because phytoestrogens are rapidly metabolized and excreted they must be continually consumed to consistently enjoy their health benefits.   Out of all estrogenic substances found in nature, isoflavones are the most impressive and their primary sources are soybeans, red clover and kudzu.    Phytoestrogens inhibit certain enzymatic reactions invovled in the growth of cancerious cells.   They also contain an array of phytonutrients that offer further cellular protection against diseasees like cancer.   Numerous animal studies provide evidence that the isolfavones found in soy may protect against breast cancer.

 NOW, I totally realize all the above is controversial and I am not at all suggesting you all go out and consume isoflavones.  Most of the doctors will dismiss soy and tell you to stay away.   I have researched this alot and think, if anything, it is interesting reading on the other school of thought.

Jennifer

Source:

"rationale for the Use of Genistein-containing Soy Matrices in Chemoprevention Trials for Breast and Prostate Cancer" Journal of Cellular biochemistry Supplemental 22 181-187.

The Chemopreventive Properties of Soy Isoflavonoids in Animal Modesl of Breast Cancer Breast Cancer Research and Treatment 46: 169-179

"Soya Phytoestrogens, Genistein and Daidzein Reduce Apolipoprotein B Secretion from HepG2 Cells through Multiple Mechanisms." Biochemistry Journal Immediate Publication (May 28, 2002)

"Dietary Soy Supplementation and Phytoestrogen Levels" Obstetrics and Gynecology 94 (1999) 229-231

"Growth Inhibition of Human Breast Cancer Cells by Herbs and Phytoestrogens" Oncology Reports 6, no 6 (Dec. 1999): 1383-1387

"Legumes and Soybeans:  Overview of their Nutritrional Profiles and Health Effects" American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 70, supplement 3 (sept 1999)

"Anticarcinogenic Effects of Isoflavones May be Mediated by Genistein in Mouse Mammary Tumor Virus induced Breast Cancer" Oncology 62, no 1 (2002) 78-84

"Soy Intake and Risk of Breast Cancer in Asians and Asian Americans" American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 68, suppl. 6 (Decemeber 1998) 1437S-1443S

"Tofu and Risk of Breast Cancer in Asian Americans" Cancer Epidemiological Biomarkers and Prevention 901-906

Besides soy sauce, soy milk, edanomi, marinades and sauces, what product have soy in them.

Soy sauce is fermented, so don't worry about that.  Soy lecithin is in chocolate, soy is in all breads and some cereals.  Soy lecithin shows up in a lot of places lately.  Basically, anything sold in a box or a wrapper might have soy added to it.  KFC cooks their chicken in soy oil.  Any live stock that walks or flies could be fed soy, and if they can figure out a way to feed farm fish soy, they will.  Give us our daily soy is the motto out there.  They might even come up with soy fertilizer for our gardens.  How fitting.

Rosemary44 wrote: "Any live stock that walks or flies could be fed soy."

Rosemary, grass-fed animals are, by definition, soy-free. One more reason why they are the best choice when it comes to meats.

You will find grass fed beef at places such as "Whole Foods Market" .I can't remeber where else I saw it. It was from New Zealnd and it is expensive.

How much soy is acceptable?

Studies have been done that show that organic soy is beneficial for ER+ women.  Phytoestrogens are processed differently by your body than your own natural estrogen (of which there are three types - estradiol (premenopausal), estriol (preganancy), and estrone (postmenopausal.)  Studies have found that soy actually helps Tamoxifen work better by behaving similarly to Tamox.  They both block the receptors on the cancer cells, which starves them of the estradiol they need to grow.  

 Xenoestrogens (from pollution and chemicals) are very dangerous and should be avoided. 

Don't eat processed soy.  The only soy I will eat is tempeh, organic soy milk, and tofu.  (When I say processed, I mean soy protein isolate and stuff like that.)  

truebff, I agree with Thatgirl, would not touch soy or genistein with a 10-foot pole, it's all GMO anyway. I use miso/barley combo in soups, salad dressing, etc., really like it.  Otherwise, no soy of any kind for me. Gotta be very careful, it's in a whole lot of supplements, blessings

We have a number of Chinese markets here where I live. Maybe you can find them at one near you?

I really disagree.  Natural, organic soy is beneficial for hormone positive girls.