THE SECRET OF CANCER-FREE BREASTS

More than 200,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year and almost 40,000 will succumb to the disease. Even though incidences of breast cancer continue to increase, most of the so-called "experts" in the cancer field refuse to admit we're in the midst of a cancer epidemic, They are wrong. Anyone with a little common sense and a half open mind can see we have a major problem on our hands. Conventional cancer therapies simply are not working. Even worse, little, if anything, is being done to prevent this disease. And in so many cases, it can be prevented.

PHYTOESTROGENS

Every shred of evidence I've investigated so far verifies that soybeans have an amazing ability to prevent the development of both breast and prostate cancer. Soybeans contain natural estrogen-like plant hormones called "phytoestrogens," which have a chemical structure very similar to estrogen. When estrogen attaches to certain cell receptors, a potent chain of events is set off. Phytoestrogens, like estrogen, bind to these same cell receptors; however, they do not set off a chain of events. What they do is to block real estrogen from binding to these sites, in effect, diluting its impact on the body.

The study of phytoestrogens is relatively new. About ten years ago researchers at the University of Cincinnati found an unknown estrogen in human urine. What they thought was a new human hormone turned out to be a plant hormone that had been altered by bacterial action in the intestinal tract. [J Endocrinol 84;102(1):49-56] Since then, 15 different estrogen-like plant compounds have been isolated in human urine. These compounds fall into either of two major categories: lignins and isoflavones.

LIGNINS

Lignins are found in oats, barley, whole wheat, sesame seed oil, and flaxseed. Flaxseed is the most concentrated food source of lignins. It results in over 100 times more lignin production than any of the other oil, seeds, and grains tested. Bacteria in the bowel convert lignins into two main phytoestrogens: enterodiol and enterolactone. High levels of lignins can inhibit the synthesis of estrogen and estrogen stimulated breast cancer cell growth.

Numerous studies have already shown that giving flaxseed to animals with breast tumors could reduce the size of the tumors as much as 67 percent. It was also effective at preventing tumor formation if given prior to chemically inducing the cancer. (Carcinogenesis 96;1716]:13736.) (Carcinogenesis 96:1716]:1343-8) Though human studies are just getting underway in Canada, there is no reason to believe that flaxseed and flax oil won't have the same anticancer effect in humans as it does in animals.

Whole flaxseeds and their components seem to work best in the initial or promotional stages of cancer, whereas flax oil seems to work best when a tumor has already been established. This difference can most likely be attributed to the fact that less than five percent of the lignins make it to the oil during processing, whereas over 95 percent of the lignins remain in the ground-up seeds.

Dosages for cancer treatment haven't been firmly established. In the breast cancer studies to be conducted in Canada, patients will be given 25 grams of flaxseed daily. The seed will be ground and then baked into muffins. I spoke with one of the researchers and got the muffin recipe: (see below)

ISOFLAVONES

Another important reason to maintain good bacterial flora in your intestinal tract is because intestinal bacteria also convert soybean isoflavones in phytoestrogens such as genistein and equol.

Genistein inhibits angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels in the body). After puberty new blood vessel formation isn't necessary, except following severe trauma, deep surgery, or during body-building programs. Many forms of disease, like rheumatoid arthritis, diabetic retinopathy, and solid tumor cancers are dependent on excessive new vascularization. Genistein in soybeans represents a new class of dietary anti-angiogenic compound. Researchers in Germany who isolated genistein from the urine of patients with soy-containing diets found it was the most potent isoflavone in stopping the growth of endothelial ceils (the primary ceils that form new blood vessels). Genistein concentrations in the urine of vegetarians was considerable; whereas, concentrations in individuals on the traditional Western diet were one-thirtieth as much, [Proc Nat! Acad Sci USA 93;90(7):2690-4]

Equol was- coined from the word equine and means "derived from the horse." It was first isolated from mares' urine. The amount of equol in the urine gives a pretty accurate indication of how many isoflavones are consumed in the diet. On the average Western diet, a person will excrete on average from zero to 300 nanomoles of equol per day, compared to over 20,000 nanomoles excreted by a vegetarian.

ISOFLAVONES AND CANCER

In test-tube and human experiments, soybean plant hormones have been shown to protect against breast, prostate, and colon cancer. Recently, researchers at the University of Singapore compared the histories of 200 confirmed breast cancer patients to those of 420 controls. They found that premenopausal women who ate greater amounts of soy protein developed significantly less breast cancer than those who ate small amounts or none at all.

This finding led to more recent research that helps explain how soybean products actually work. One of the major risk factors involved in developing breast cancer is the amount of estrogen a women is exposed to throughout her life. Estrogen is a strong stimulator of cell growth in the breast, ovaries, and uterus in women, and in the prostate gland in males. It is manufactured in both the ovaries and in small amounts by the testicles.

During the latter part of each menstrual cycle, or more precisely from the time the egg is released from the ovary (ovulation) to the time of menstrual flow, breast cells are at their greatest risk. During this phase, large amounts of estrogen and progesterone are released, stimulating breast cell growth up to four times faster Anytime cells rapidly divide, there is greater risk of a genetic accident, which could result in the formation of cancer cells. (Cancer cells are simply cells whose genetic structure has been altered and whose basic function is to reproduce.) The number of menstrual cycles a woman goes through during her lifetime affects her risk of breast cancer Research has shown that events that reduce the number of menstrual cycles--such as late onset of menstruation, early menopause, or pregnancy--also reduce risk of cancer.

Also, longer menstrual cycles can have a protective role. In Japan, the average menstrual cycle is 32 days; in the U.S. and Europe it is 26 to 29 days. While this may not seem like much of a difference, Japanese women have only about one fourth the risk of breast cancer as U.S. and European women. And guess what lengthens these menstrual cycles: a diet high in soybean products.

Researchers at the Dunn Clinical Nutritional Center in Cambridge, England, isolated and modified the diets of six women in their twenties for several months. Their diets contained an additional 60 grams of soy protein a day, which provided roughly 45 milligrams of isoflavones daily. As long as they were on the diet, their menstrual cycles increased by an average of two-and-a-half days, and the first part of the menstrual cycle (when there is less exposure to estrogen) was lengthened. As soon as the soy protein was eliminated, their cycles went back to 26 to 29 days. As dramatic as the changes were, 45 milligrams daily is still only one-fourth to one-third the daily intake of Japanese women. By increasing the menstrual cycle in this manner, soybean protein significantly reduces the number of total menstrual cycles a woman has over a lifetime. This in turn lowers the risk of breast cancer.

TAMOXIFEN

Not everyone is excited about the anti-cancer effects of soy products. Even though 17 of 26 different animal cancer studies using soy or soybean diets showed there were definite protective effects, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) has reserved judgment on this topic. On one hand, you have a safe, natural, very effective way to prevent breast cancer. The protective effects of soy have been shown in both hormone and nonhormone-related cancers, and soy has never been shown to increase tumor development or growth. It's readily available to everyone without a prescription, and it has been eaten in the Far East for decades with no ill effects. Yet the NCI refuses to endorse it!

On the other hand, you have tamoxifen, a potent synthetic drug. Tamoxifen is touted as a miraculous drug that can prevent breast cancer. It has become one of the most prescribed anti-cancer drugs for women who have had the disease. Additionally, more than 16,000 healthy women considered to be at high risk for developing breast cancer are being recruited for a five-year study. Although they are perfectly healthy, the drug will be given to them to see if it reduces the risk of developing the disease. Despite data falsification in previous studies and serious side effects from this drug, large clinical trials and widespread use of the drug have been approved by both the FDA and the NCI. In fact, doctors involved in the study have openly admitted there is tremendous political pressure to get these clinical trials underway and for them to succeed.

THE NEGATIVES OF TAMOXIFEN ARE IGNORED

The anti-angiogenic and anti-estrogen effects of tamoxifen are very similar to those of soy protein. But that's where the similarities end. Unlike those who safely use soy protein, 15 to 22 percent of patients on tamoxifen have developed uterine cancer. (The survival rate for uterine cancer is less than that of breast cancer.) Also, since tamoxifen is being used to prevent breast cancer from developing, no one is sure just how long a patient needs to take the drug. While breast cancer patients are usually given tamoxifen for two years in hopes of preventing a recurrence of the disease, many continue to take it indefinitely.

In addition to reducing the risk of recurrence, they've been told it affords protection against osteoporosis and heart disease. Unfortunately, the longer one stays on the drug, the greater the risk of developing uterine cancer. That's only part of the bad news. New research shows that taking tamoxifen significantly increases the risk of liver cancer. Recently, it was revealed that abnormal, often irritating, vaginal discharges occur in one third of women on tamoxifen, and over 50 percent of those on the drug experience severe pain with intercourse.

There's a saying that goes, "Those who have the gold make the rules." In this case, pharmaceutical firms have far more gold than anyone selling soybean products. And I'm sure I don't have to tell you there's far more gold to be made marketing tamoxifen than selling soybean curd. The pharmaceutical firm making tamoxifen, Zeneca, has another big advantage the blessing of the FDA. They can tell the world that tamoxifen prevents breast cancer. Can you imagine what would happen if a company selling tofu (soybean curd) even hinted at cancer prevention on their label? The FDA would jerk the product off the market so fast it would make your head spin. And you can bet they would destroy the company and everyone associated with it.

SOURCES OF SOY

There are enormous benefits to be gained from including soy products in your diet; however, there is still some debate over which products afford the best protection against the risk of cancer. Ken Setchell, one of the original equol researchers from the University of Cincinnati, thinks fermented soy products like miso or tempeh may be the most potent source of phytoestrogens, but others aren't so sure.

At the New England Medical Center (Boston), Dr. Johanna Dwyer and her colleagues analyzed the amount of the phytoestrogen daidzein in several brands of tofu and soy drinks. The tofu products they analyzed contained between 73 and 97 micrograms of daidzein per gram. They found that these products, soy-based baby formulas, and nutritional and weight gain soy drinks, contained little, if any, daidzein. Similar results were found when the products were analyzed for genistein.

It's also difficult to say exactly how much soy needs to be added to the diet. In the Cambridge study, patients ate 60 grams of soy protein daily. This translates to roughly 2.1 ounces. (As I mentioned earlier, the typical Japanese intake is three to four times that amount.) Since the SAD (Standard American Diet) doesn't include soy dishes, you may have to experiment with several soy-based products in your cooking procedures. Soymilk is widely available, but I believe it usually contains far too many additives and sweeteners. Powdered soymilk has the same problem. Still, you might find one that suits your tastes.

At this point, it appears that soy flour, tofu, miso, and tempeh (tem-pay) may provide the best protection. Soy flour is one of the easiest ways to add soy to your diet. When a recipe calls for one cup of wheat flour, substitute one-third cup of soy flour and two-thirds cup of wheat flour. There will be no noticeable taste change. Soy flour can be found in most health food stores.

Next time you're demonstrating your new-found knowledge of soy, you can drop this little interesting tidbit on your audience: Dunkin Donuts adds soy flour to their doughnuts to give them a special taste and texture. I can assure you, however, it's nowhere near enough to classify their products as health food!

Tofu, or soybean curd, is probably the next easiest soy product to find and use. Most grocery stores sell a variety of tofu brands. Generally, the only complaint with tofu is its bland taste. With a little creativity, however, tofu doesn't have to be bland. Tofu containers and vegetarian and health food cookbooks are a good place to discover ways to include tofu in the diet. You'll find everything from tofu-based mayonnaise substitutes to tofu creamed vegetables. Next time you visit your favorite oriental restaurant, ask the server for a dish that uses tofu or tempeh, a similar fermented product of soybeans.

By the way, the process of making soy sauce destroys or removes any phytoestrogens.

CONCLUSION

Over the last few decades, we've exported some of our most sophisticated technology to the Far East. Those cultures have added their ingenuity and manufacturing techniques and now profit greatly from them. We can benefit from this sharing of ideas, especially when it comes to improving our health. It's time we start to learn from other cultures.

Your diet can be your medicine. Consumption of soybeans has been proven toreduce the risk of cancer of the breast, colon, and prostate. Soybean consumption also lowers harmful LDL cholesterol and decreases the chance of heart attack. Compared to our population, few Japanese suffer from these diseases. Research has verified these facts, yet we've failed to use this data. In this country we consume very little of our soybean crop, preferring to export it to the Far East. As a result, we have some of the highest cancer and heart disease rates in the world.

Don't wait for the blessing of the Food and Drug Administration, the National Cancer Institute, or any other organization more interested in perpetuating their existence than in improving your health. Get to know the lowly soybean as soon as possible.

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