Soybean Has Anti-cancer Activity

Soybean seeds have Genistein, which is one the two primary isoflavones that increases the concentration of TGF-β which may inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Let us now have a look on the soybean's anti-cancer effect regarding different cancers like prostate, breast and endometrial cancer. It is reported that association of prostate cancer is linked with the increasing levels of dihydrotestosterone and soybean's isoflavones are known to inhibit 5α-reductase, which is involved in the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. It is also reported that estrogen cause programmed cell death of prostate cancer cells and also inhibit enzymes associated with the processes in the development of cancer, it is mentioned here that genistein enhances the ability of radiation to kill prostate cancer cells. Consumption of soybean during childhood and adolescence in women reduces risk of breast cancer in later part of life. The growth of both estroge-dependent and estrogen-independent breast cancer cells have been inhibited by genistein. It is reported that women who ate 15 grams of soybean protein per day had 30 % lower risks of recurrence compared to women who ate less than 5 grams of soybean protein per day. Endometrial (Uterine) cancer is the most common type of cancer in the world which effect female reproductive organs. It was estimated that about 7,000 women die each year due to endometrial cancer. As we know phytoestrogen component is present in soybean, if we use tofu ( a soybean product) alone or in combination with other soybean products there is 50 % reduction in endometrial cancer risk. Along cancer treatment soybean has potential to teat other diseases like cadiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease and can prevent elders from deadness.