Soy Fights Colon Cancer

OAKLAND, Calif.A new class of therapeutic agents found naturally in soy may prevent and possibly treat colon cancer, according to a new study conducted by Childrens Hospital & Research Center Oakland (CHORI).

Led by Julie Saba, MD, PhD, senior scientist and director of the Cancer Center at CHORI, the researchers made the groundbreaking discovery that Sphingadienes (SDs)natural lipid molecules found in soymay underlie the benefits of soy products.

Researchers first identified SDs in the fruit fly, an organism that is sometimes used to study the genetics of human diseases. Further investigation indicated that elevated SDs actually induced the death of mutant cells in the fly, revealing SDs to be cytotoxic compounds. Preventative colon cancer strategies often focus on cell deatha normal process the body uses to remove unhealthy or mutant cells, like cancer cells. Coupling this discovery with the finding that soy is a rich source of SDs, researchers made an innovative connection.

Its very exciting, Saba said. First, we are encouraged to find a natural molecule that could be consumed through soy products as a strategy to help prevent colon cancer. Second, this information is important because we can build on our understanding of the structure and metabolism of SDs in terms of developing new drugs to treat people who already have colon cancer. Uncovering how SDs exert their effects also helps us to find the most likely combinations of drugs that may work synergistically to eliminate cancer cells and mutant cells that could give rise to cancer.

I would be comfortable recommending soy products as a change in the diet that could protect against cancer. The more that soy is studied, the more of these protective agents are found, so its a very healthy diet choice.