WHAT ABOUT ISOFLAVONES?

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Now let us return to the subject of cancer risk reduction. Isoflavones are chemically similar to the drug tamoxiphen. They reduce the risk of breast cancer by binding to the estrogen receptor sites on the chromosomal material in mammary gland cells and preventing the dangerous C-16 form of estrogen from binding. Soy products (soybeans or tofu) are particularly abundant in isoflavones, and they have been observed to reduce the incidence of experimental tumors in experimental mammals. (Barnes et al, 1990) Asian women usually consume more than 35 grams of soybeans or soy-derived food per day as opposed to the American woman who may only get 1-2 grams per day. One particular isoflavone is called genestein. Barne has described it in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. This substance not only inhibits two enzymes necessary for tumor growth, but there is recently discovered evidence that it will reduce the blood supply to tumors. (Mesina and Barnes 1991).