94 Percent of Studies Now Show Soy Anti-Cancer Effects,Survey Finds; Figure
is Sharp Jump From Previous 65 Percent
WASHINGTON, Oct. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Some 94 percent of recent experimental
studies on soy properties show that a soy diet offers "protective, anti-
carcinogenic effects," a leading researcher has reported to the American
Institute for Cancer Research.
The figure is a sharp increase from a survey of earlier studies evaluating
the health effects of soy, when only 65 percent of the experimental research
showed such positive results.
"The percentage jumps dramatically to 94 percent when only recent studies are
included," the Journal of the National Cancer Institute reported, "studies
which were more specifically designed to examine soy's effects."
The researcher, Dr. Diane Birt of Iowa State University, reported on the
status of experimental soy studies at a recent conference of the American
Institute for Cancer Research.
She said there are "challenges ahead," including the need to categorize
soybean properties, determine interaction between soy and genetic components,
and assess differences in gender response to soy products.
The Journal of the National Cancer Institute noted that researchers are
awaiting the results of a study at the University of Southern California
involving 2,400 people of Asian descent living in the Los Angeles area.
Preliminary results of the study, focusing on Chinese, Filipino and Japanese
descendants, show a decrease in breast cancer risk associated with a high
intake of isoflavones. Isoflavones are properties found in soybeans that
have been shown to enhance health effects.
Dr. Anna Wu of the University of Southern California, author of the Asian
study, is expected to complete her work in two years. The Journal said that
"studies generally support the conclusion that soy reduces the risk of
breast, prostate and endometrial cancers."
(Foods for the Future provides factual information to the media concerning
food products, health and nutrition. It is a project of the T. Dean Reed
Company and is supported by U.S. agribusiness.)
SOURCE Foods for the Future
CO: Foods for the Future; American Institute for Cancer Research
ST: District of Columbia
IN: FOD HEA
SU:
10/22/1999 13:47 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com
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