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Can soy really help reduce the risk of breast cancer, osteoporosis, and prostate cancers? Researchers have long looked to the orient and wondered why people in these regions have fewer incidences of these diseases. The orient does consumer larger amounts of soy. Could this be the link?

Bone loss is a huge problem for the Western medicine; could soy be the silver bullet? Researchers’ out of Iowa State University in clinical trials have shown that the protein in soy has been a big letdown. However, the isoflavones may be more effective in preventing bone loss than the protein itself. Researchers out of the University of Miami School of Medicine ran a research project on 248 people who used 200 mg a day of soy isoflavones. These results showed no significant change in bone density. Soy has not been proven to be of benefit to bone health.

If Soy is in effective with bone health, how does it do with prostate health? Early studies are showing a positive benefit for soy isoflavones with decreasing PSA (prostate specific Antigen). The test group was composed of 59 men and they seen a drop of PSA count in 69% of the men given 60 MF daily of soy isoflavones for 3 months. The control group was given a placebo and had reduced PSA counts in 55% of the men. Research was performed at the Prostate and Genitourinary Clinic at Ohio State. In conclusion soy may help men who suffer from Prostate cancer.

Soy does help with Prostate cancer how will it do with breast cancer? The University of Southern California conducted a study on 35,000 middle age to older woman living in Singapore. The woman were studied over 7-12 years and the woman who ate on average one serving of tofu were 18 percent less likely to suffer from post menopausal breast cancer. There was no link established with premenopausal breast cancer. The researcher did point out those women who tend to eat soy tended to be more athletic, traditional weight, and made good food choices in general.

In conclusion, a healthy life style is needed to have good longevity and the foods you choose to eat do affect your overall health. Soy has some value in helping to prevent cancers but not osteoporosis. More importantly healthy food choice plus soy seems to be the answer.