At the University of Cincinnati, researchers report positive implications for soy in their search to find therapy for reducing risk of cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis in post-menopausal women.

Because hormone replacement therapy includes "perceived risks and unwanted side effects from these relatively potent estrogens," the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine team said, isoflavones, natural compounds found in soybeans and soy products, are increasingly seen as "natural forms of estrogen replacement."

"Phytoestrogens such as isoflavones, which are abundant in most soy foods or can be obtained as supplements, are being investigated for their potential to fill this niche," the Cincinnati team reported.

Meanwhile, in Sweden and Finland, a group of scientists at the University of Helsinki and the University of Umea in Sweden found that phytoestrogens such as isoflavones may "prevent prostate cancer by inhibiting growth during the promotional phase of the disease."

The Scandinavian team asserted that, "this could be the reason for the relatively high incidence of latent prostate cancer but low mortality in this disease in Japan."

"Soybeans and soy products are the main sources of isoflavones," the Finnish and Swedish researchers reported. They said their studies have led them to conclude that "isoflavone-containing foods may be protective with regard to prostate cancer."

At the University of Southern California, a research team reported: "There is suggestive epidemiologic evidence that soy intake may protect against breast cancer."

In a seven-month study of 20 women, it was determined that test subjects of a "soy intervention study" benefited from "daily intake of Asian soy foods -- tofu, soy milk and soybean peas."

The three studies were made public this month by the U.S. Soyfoods Directory, sponsored by the Indiana Soybean Board, following presentation at a soy symposium.

##

(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

This press release may not be redistributed without prior written approval by PR Newswire.