Men Don’t Need to Fear Soy Foods
Karen Collins, MS, RD, CDN
American Institute for Cancer Research
It’s no wonder that men who have read the recent stories circulating about soy are confused. Some stories claim that soy foods, such as tofu and soy milk, can lead to breast growth or reduce testosterone levels. Other stories tout the benefits of soy, suggesting soy may help protect against prostate cancer. Women have wondered for years whether phytoestrogens affect their health, from menopausal hot flashes to breast cancer. Now men are left to wonder about soy foods possible unwanted effects.
Soy contains compounds called isoflavones that are known as phytoestrogens, which are weak plant versions of the hormone estrogen. Fears that the amount of phytoestrogens in moderate amounts of soy foods could stimulate men’s breast tissue or reduce their testosterone are not based on sound research. A study of children fed soy protein formula for more than six months showed no hormonal effects. A study of men in their 50s and 60s found that the men who ate soy foods twice a day for three months showed no change in testosterone levels, but had a 14 percent drop in levels of PSA (an indicator of prostate growth used in screening for prostate cancer)…..Click Here for the Full Article.
« PREVIOUS: Study Finds Soy Safe for Men
» NEXT: Soy protein may reduce cholesterol levels for diabetics
