The Phytochemical Connection

Isoflavones - These compounds are similar to natural estrogen, but have only about 1/ 100,000 times the strength. When ingested, they actively compete with estrogen for receptor sites on the walls of human cells. By latching on to these vital receptor sites, they make it far less likely for an overabundance of the more powerful estrogen hormones to bind to human cells and stimulate them into the cancerous cycle of abnormal cell division. Overly high hormone levels in the human body have long been associated with the onset and progression of various cancers, particularly breast cancer in women and prostate cancer in men. But isoflavones, which are essentially plant estrogens, are so weak, they don't have the deadly effect that the more powerful human hormones do. In essence, isoflavones now appear to be the natural way of displacing estrogen and other hormones, and thereby helping prevent them from stimulating cancer in the human body. Additionally, researchers now believe that certain isoflavones found in soybeans promote a mild estrogenic activity that radically diminishes cholesterol levels in the bloodstream, which would explain much of soy's phenomenal cholesterol lowering ability.

Soybeans are one of the most isoflavone-rich foods in the entire plant kingdom, giving soy much of its powerful anticancer and anti-heart disease properties!

Genistein - This is also a powerful cancer-fighting isoflavone, but with very unique properties. Laboratory studies have demonstrated that genistein actually blocks the action of enzymes that are known to promote tumor growth, and neutralizes or inhibits tyrosine kinase, which is involved in the transformation of normal cells into malignant cells. In essence, when you neutralize tyrosine kinase in the human body with genistein, you stop tumor growth in its tracks! More than 30 studies have shown that when genistein is added to cancer cells growing in the laboratory, cancer growth grinds to a halt. According to Dr. Morton Walker, genistein has another extraordinary' cancer-fighting ability. He states, "Genistein also causes cancer cells to convert to normal cells by stimulating them to dedifferentiate and turn more primitive, less specialized, and less deadly." Much like the highly-touted cancer-fighting shark cartilage products, genistein is a potent antiangiogenetic. This means it inhibits the growth of the tiny blood vessels needed by tumors for nourishment. By neutralizing the substance secreted by tumors to encourage new blood vessel growth (This substance Is called vascular endothelial growth factor, or vegF), genistein literally causes the starvation of the tumor. In a similar way, genistein also helps prevent heart disease. Researchers now believe it has the unique ability to block the growth of cells that form plaque deposits in arteries, thereby preventing hardening of the arteries! Soy is the ONLY known source of genistein in the world today. No other plant or animal SOURCE on earth contains this powerful cancer-stopping, plaque-blocking and heart-protecting compound!

Protease Inhibitors - According to Dr. Earl Mindell, these compounds effectively block the activity of a particular group of cellular proteases which promote tumor growth [Not to be confused with the much-to-be-desired protease digestive enzymes which are essential for the proper breakdown and assimilation of the protein component found in many foods]. Dr. Ann Kennedy of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine claims protease inhibitors are so powerful in their anticancer properties, they may be a "universal anticarcinogen." Protease inhibitors work to prevent or even extinguish a wide variety of cancers ranging from liver, to colon, to breast cancer. In one recent study, a potent protease inhibitor found in soy called BBI (Bowman-Birk Inhibitor) stifled tumor formation in 100% of the lab animals tested, prompting researchers to speculate that BBI may be the single-most potent anticancer compound in soy.

Phytic acid - This is a unique chelating compound that binds with metals that promote tumor growth and subsequently excretes them from the body through the urine. In laboratory studies phytic acid dramatically reduced the size and number of tumors in lab animals fed a potent cancer causing agent.

Found abundantly in soy, researchers now believe phytic acid is one of soy's chief cancer-fighting weapons.

· Saponins - Shown in animal studies to kill colon cancer cells, these soap-like compounds have also been demonstrated to slash high serum cholesterol levels, making them another potent "double weapon" in soy's extraordinary disease-fighting arsenal. [Saponins also help stimulate protein biosynthesis - necessary for all tissue repair or the body, long-term physical endurance, muscle-building and much more.]

· Phosphatides - These are powerful fat-emulsifying compounds which act to dissolve fats and cholesterol in the bloodstream, thereby preventing their buildup to dangerous levels. Researchers believe phosphatides are responsible for much of soy's extraordinary cholesterol-lowering, heart-protecting properties.

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