Soy is a legume used for food. It contains more protein and edible oils than other legumes. Soy protein is also high in valuable amino acid lysine that is essential for the building and maintenance of human tissue. In addition, soy is a significant source of isoflavones, plant-based estrogens. Soy isoflavones have been shown to be anti-carcinogenic against prostate cancer. If you want to use soy, consult with your doctor first.
Soy Composition
Soy contains 80 percent protein and 20 percent oils. Soy protein consists of the primary building blocks of protein called amino acids. Your body cannot manufacture nine essential amino acids. You can obtain them from soy. Soy is rich in essential fatty acids but contains no saturated fats and cholesterol. Soy also contains fiber, salts, vitamins and minerals.
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer develops from tissues of the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system that produces fluid for semen. In the United States, prostate cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in males. It is more common in men over 50. Initially, prostate cancer produces no symptoms. However, you may experience symptoms, including interrupted flow of urine, pain during urination and blood in urine, as the tumor enlarges within the prostate.
Soy Protein and Prostate Cancer
Soy contains a form of the natural female sex hormone estrogen that is being evaluated scientifically in the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer. In cell culture and animal studies, soy isoflavones reduce the level of testosterone by increasing the amount of sex hormone binding globulins, or SHBG, a class of simple protein. It has been speculated that prostate tumors grow and feed on testosterone, a male sex hormone. SHBG binds to testosterone, which causes a reduction in free testosterone.
Side Effects
Avoid soy if you have food allergies or family members with food allergies. People allergic to soy can suffer from skin reactions, hives, breathing difficulty, wheezing, difficulty in swallowing and low blood pressure. Soy isoflavones have negative impacts on the thyroid gland. Patients with existing thyroid disorders should keep their soy intake at low levels.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Soy
- Ohio State University: Department of Food Science & Technology: Soybeans Protein
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Prostate Cancer
- Purdue University: Gaining Insight into the Health Effects of Soy but a Long Way Still to Go; Mark Messina and et al; 2002
- University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources: Food Allergies; Alfonso Tirado; 2005
- "The Anti-Estrogenic Diet: How Estrogenic Foods and Chemicals Are Making You Fat and Sick"; Ori Hofmekler and Rick Osborn; 2007
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