ADM Releases Fact Sheet on HRT, Soy, Chronic Disease Risk

ADM Releases Fact Sheet on HRT, Soy, Chronic Disease Risk

DECATUR, Ill.--ADM Health & Nutrition releaseda fact sheet, "Implications for Soyfoods and Soybean Isoflavones of RecentFindings Suggesting the Risks of Combined Hormone Replacement Therapy [HRT]Outweigh the Potential Benefits." ADM noted that because soy is "oftenviewed as an alternative to conventional HRT," the fact sheet was releasedto address whether the findings from large HRT trials--such as the Women'sHealth Initiative (WHI), which was halted due to a statistically increased riskof heart disease and breast cancer--have any negative or positive implicationsfor soy intake.

According to ADM, both WHI and the Estrogen/ProgestinReplacement Study (HERS) I/II weakened the case for long-term use of HRT. ADMpointed out that the hormones used in HERS I/II and WHI do not consist of singleestrogen compounds, but a complex mixture of estrogens derived from the urine ofpregnant horses, as well as a synthetic progestin. "This chemical mix isvery different from soy and isoflavones," ADM noted.

As for the risk of chronic disease, ADM stated HRT seems toincrease the risk of breast cancer, thrombosis (blood clotting) and stroke, andHRT was not shown to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease events. However,HRT has been indicated in reducing the risk of colorectal cancer and fractures.Soy, on the other hand, has been linked to an inhibition of blood clotformation, and reduced risk of gallbladder disease and heart disease, accordingto ADM's review of recent research. In addition, ADM noted, "soy is notexpected to increase breast cancer risk." Nor is soy expected to increasethe risk of stroke, as evidence exists to support the phytoestrogen's role indecreasing blood pressure, "although this is very speculative," ADMnoted. ADM also cited evidence noting soy inhibits the oxidation of cholesteroland reduces bone loss, as well as induces changes in colon cell proliferation,which is indicative of a decreased risk of colon cancer risk.

"On the basis of the available data, there is no reason tothink that soy consumption will increase the risk of any of the diseases forwhich risk was increased in the HERS I/II or WHI," ADM stated. "Infact, soy is advantageous in that it may share many of the same benefits of HRTwithout increasing risk for disease."