Does soy cause breast cancer?
Alright, this can be a bit of a controversial / hot topic…
Let’s get right into it…Β
It all comes down to estrogen
Human estrogen can play a some times small and other times huge part in the formation of breast cancer cells.β£β£
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So what about the phytoestrogen from soy!β£β£? It’s only natural that we question this too, right?
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Well, human estrogen and phytoestrogen function completely differently.β£β£
Completely OPPOSITE actually.β£β£
The phytoestrogen in soy can SLOW or PREVENT the growth of human estrogen. β£β£
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I’ll try not to get all “science guy” on you here..β£β£
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Studies show that those who consume soy throughout their life starting in childhood actually had a DECREASED risk of breast cancer. β£β£YAY!
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Ever wonder why breast cancer rates are higher in the US than in Asia? β£
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- In Asia they eat more soyβ£β£
- They eat less meatβ£β£
- β£β£They eat way more veggies β£β£
(In addition to other environmental and lifestyle factors)β£β£
So should someone you know consider including soy into their diet after their breast cancer diagnosis? β£β£
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Well, studies show that women who consumed soy after a BC diagnosis, actually had a DECREASED risk of cancer returning. β£β£
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Let that sink in.β£β£
If you are going to incorporate soy into your diet…
It’s important to purchase organic.
Sure, it’s slightly more expensive however this is how you’re going to get the most health benefits with the least possible health risks. There have not been enough human studies on the health risks of pesticides and GMOs used on Soy to really know the impact. This is where I prefer to be overly cautious and you may want to think about it too.
As with everything, there are very few specific foods that should be an every day staple.
Our bodies need a variety of nutrients to thrive.
In conclusion, soy is a great food to incorporate into our diet often, but not something to eat for every meal of every day.
We’d miss out on a ton of nutrients if we did that. Same goes for chicken, or black beans, or any of protein you can think of.
The most nutritious diet will almost always consist of a variety of colors, textures, flavors, proteins, whole grains, carbs, vitamins, and minerals.
Peace, love, and be well.
DISCLAIMER: This post was created for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of a medical physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor, go to the ER, or call 911 immediately. Reliance on any information provided is solely at your own risk.
