Soy food and breast cancer

Soy food contains substances called isoflavones that has both antiestrogenic and anticarcinogenic properties.

The study reviewed here investigated the association between breast cancer risk and the intake of soy food in adolescents and adults (Lee S.A., et al, 2009). Food frequency questionnaires were used and 73.223 women participated. The follow up was an average of 7.4 years.

The researchers found that adult soy food consumption, measured either by soy protein or isoflavone intake, was inversely associated with the risk of premenopausal breast cancer.

Women who consistently had a high soy food consumption during adolescence and adulthood had a significant reduced risk for breast cancer. This was however not found for postmenopausal breast cancer.

Including soy foods like tofu and roasted soy nuts in your diet seems to be a healthy thing to do. If you are using soy milk be sure it is unsweetened.




Reference:
Lee S.A. et al, 2009. Adolescent and adult soy food intake and breast cancer risk: results from the shanghai Women’s Health Study. Am J. Clin Nutr. 2009 Jun;89(6): 1920-6.

Habit that may reduce the risk of prostate cancer

Habits that are healthy for the prostate tend to also provide other health benefits and are beneficial for the whole family if implemented.

One of the studies reviewed here investigated the association of plant foods and the impact these nutrients may have on prostate cancer risk and survival (Lewis JE, et al, 2009).

It was found that a higher intake of vegetables and fruit was beneficial. The group of participants without prostate cancer had significantly higher intakes of vegetables and fruit. Lower intake of fiber, vitamin C, vitamin A, alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, cryptoxanthin, folate, genistein and daidzein were reported by participants in the cancer group.

The other study reviewed here evaluated the impact of omega 3 fatty acids on prostate cancer (Fradet V, et al, 2009).

Omega 3 fatty acids decrease inflammation and the researchers found that increased intake of omega 3 fat was strongly associated with a decreased risk of aggressive prostate cancer.

For information on other benefits of omega 3 fatty acids click here

References:

Fradet V, et al. Dietary Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Cyclooxygenase-2 Genetic Variation, and Aggressive Prostate Cancer Risk. Clin Cancer Res. 2009 Mar 24.

Lewis JE, et al. Intake of plant foods and associated nutrients in prostate cancer risk. Nutr Cancer. 2009;61(2):216-24.

Poor memory? Maybe you need vitamin D

In the last few years a lot of research has documented the benefits of vitamin D. Vitamin D is important for a variety of functions. The study reviewed here investigated the link between vitamin D levels and cognition in 3369 men aged 40 to 79 years (Lee D.M. et al, 2009).

The vitamin D levels were evaluated by measuring 25-hydroxy vitamin D, the most common way to determine vitamin D status. 3133 men age 60 plus or minus 11 years were included in the final results.

It was concluded that lower levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D were associated with poorer performance on the DSST test (Digit Symbol Substitution test). The DSST is a test to objectively evaluate cognitive function.

It is very common even in sunny climates to have low levels of vitamin D because most people use sun screen when they are out doors.

It is not a good idea to get sunburned, but to get some sun without sunscreen can be healthy. It is also a good idea to take vitamin D3.

Click here for additional information on vitamin D.

Reference:

Lee D.M., et al. Association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and cognitive performance in middle-aged and older European men. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2009 May 21.