5 important facts about soy everyone should know

While many believe soy foods offer distinct health benefits, there are some concerns as well. Here's five things you should know about soy before adding more to your diet.

• We still have a lot to learn about isoflavones and how they work.
• Some recent findings suggest that high isoflavone levels might actually increase the risk of certain cancers, particularly breast cancer.
• The concerns have mostly been focused on isolated isoflavones in supplements, not in whole soy foods.
• Further research on the role of iso­flavones in human health is needed. Until then, it's wise to avoid isoflavone supplements in general.
• People being treated, or have been treated, for breast or prostate cancer should speak to their physician and exercise caution before adding soy to their diet.

• A recent study suggested that eating tofu more than once a week might increase the risk of dementia.
• At this point, this study raises more questions than it answers. These results have not been supported by any other studies to date.
• This effect has not been seen in studies looking at populations that consume high amounts of soy foods.

• Some studies have linked soy to thyroid problems.
• Thus far, the risk is only linked to taking soy supplements or eating large amounts of soy foods.
• More research is needed to clarify this relationship.

• The National Institutes of Health is sponsoring a long-term study on the safety of soy infant formula.
• The study will compare young adults who consumed soy formula as infants with young adults who consumed milk-based formulas as infants.
• This study is a follow-up of earlier research. Earlier findings showed high levels of isoflavones in the blood of infants who were consuming soy formula.

• Overall, soy is a nutritious, beneficial food, and a welcome addition to a healthy diet. But it should be regarded as a food, not as a medication.
• It's a terrific protein substitute and can be used as an alternative to animal proteins.
• Soy can help protect us from coronary heart disease, and may help relieve menopausal symptoms for some women.
• It may also protect us from hormonally driven cancers and offer some protection from osteoporosis.

Soy is a complex mixture of substances that researchers are only just beginning to understand. Many components are proving beneficial, but there is the risk with any food or component of food that they can also be harmful. Don't overdo it and don't take soy or isoflavone supplements. And remember: there's no substitute for a balanced diet that includes a wide variety of wholesome foods in moderate amounts.