Break60 said...
I've read that soy is bad for you. Just sayin.
Bob
Yes, I've read the same thing. So as usual, no clear picture. The studies discussed in the videos I linked in the OP show either no harm relative to PC, or most point towards a benefit. Especially compared to dairy( i.e. soy milk vs cow milk). All of which was first looked at since the folks who lived in countries with higher soy consumption(as well as many other dietary differences) have vastly lower PC rates, or at least they do until they become westernized and start eating more like us.
But, of course, we know how many variables can be involved when looking at differences in populations/countries, and it is quite difficult to get any proof out of such. In the videos I link, an M.D. with a very strong total vegan bias presents a few studies in favor of soy vs PCa. He even raises a question about
Dean Ornish's famous- but very small- study on men with PC and AS whose tumors shrank while eating Vegan. But it wasn't JUST Vegan, it was Vegan supplemented with a serving of tofu plus 58 gm of a fortified Soy protein powder. So was it the vegan diet alone or the soy alone accounting for the observed benefits? I believe his conclusion is that it was more than just the soy.
Any way, all just adds up to some info that may lead to some interesting hypothesis'. Most of us will probably be dead of old age before any of it is put to a conclusive test.
On a personal level, as I have to watch a very slowly rising PSA level for these last 3+ years(not at all unexpected considering my path), during the last 6 months or maybe a good bit longer, I have replaced (most of the time) dairy protein powder with soy. That was only for occasional use. But for the last 3 months or so, as I have been low carbing it for weight and BP control, I have used this a lot more often for most mornings when I don't want to have bacon and eggs for breakfast. So on those mornings (like this morning in fact) I have my high fiber, high fat "horse feed" breakfast of strawberries, nuts, flaxseed,some coconut, etc. Low NET carb- most of the carb is indigestible fiber- (especially low carb for non-meat), high fat(the walnuts, coconut and flax are almost all fat and fiber), but low protein. So I mix a almond milk + soy protein powder shake to add some protein. Plant protein at that, for those who think that is an advantage. All I can say is it does not appear to have raised my PSA even a small bit more than expected for this high risk, surgery only guy. But who the heck really knows if it is helping, hurting or neutral? Who the heck actually knows what is going on inside of me? I certainly don't. I can only say that many months of soy protein powder has not spiked my PSA. Actually, I can also say that about
bringing eggs and chicken back into my diet for a bit over 3 months, but of course 3 months is a very short time. On the non-PCa front, eating this way has shrunk my waist, removed 18 lbs without hunger, and dropped my BP 15 or 20 points.