Soy Helps Fight Colon Cancer

Reported November 25, 2009

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- We've heard that soy is good for us, but now researchers say it could also help in the fight against colon cancer, the third most deadly type of cancer.

The new study, conducted by Children's Hospital and Research Center Oakland, suggests that a component found naturally in soy could be used to help prevent colon cancer. Sphingadienes (SDs), natural lipid molecules found in soy, may be the root of soy's known benefits.

"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," Julie Saba, M.D., senior scientist and director of the Cancer Center at Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute, was quoted as saying.

Saba first recognized SDs in a study of fruit flies, which are often used during research to study the genetics of human diseases. She found that SDs toxicity to cells may prevent colon cancer just like traditional preventative techniques, by killing unhealthy or mutant cancer cells. This new discovery could aid researchers to the development of new drugs to treat and prevent colon cancer.

More research is needed to confirm SDs toxicity and to determine the best way to deliver SDs to patients, according to Saba. However, she says the benefits could start now. “I would be comfortable recommending soy products as a change in diet that could protect against cancer."

SOURCE: Cancer Research, December 15, 2009