Soy Products
Soy proteins. Soybeans, including tofu, soy flour, soy milk and soy nuts, contain several anti-cancer chemicals. Kenneth Setchell at Children's Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati found that giving premenopausal women 2 ounces of soy protein daily induced signs of breast cancer protection (rises in some hormones, drops in others, longer menstrual period). In animals, soy protein has blocked 65 percent of breast cancers.

Products made from soybeans are rich in adaptogenic estrogens. If the body has too much estrogen, these phytoestrogens will bind to the estrogen sites and protect against abnormal cell growth. Phytoestrogens can also reduce symptoms of PMS and menopause. Therefore, women who are going through menopause (naturally or due to a prescribed drug such as Tamoxifen) may benefit from adding foods that contain phytoestrogenics to their diet. Other foods that contain phytoestrogens are: lentils, tofu, burdock root, flaxseeds, dried beans, sweet potatoes, fermented soy foods and redclover tea.

Some proponents of soy products believe that soy is one of the leading factors in the success of macrobiotic diets to regress cancers.

Note: Soybean oil and soy sauce have insignificant anti-cancer activity.

WARNING: Consuming large quantities of soy products through diet can result in a deficiency of iodine. Asian diets that contain large amounts of soy generally also contain seaweed which is rich in iodine. Seaweed also contain their own anti-tumor agents. Isoflavones in fermented soy foods (such as tempeh, soy sauce, and natto) and isoflavone supplements should not be taken by people undergoing treatment for thyroid disorders without the supervision of their physician.

Genistein, a soybean derivative, is a potent antioxidant and anit-angiogenesis.

Haelan 851 (wang zhenhua 851)
Haelan 851 is a liquid soy concentrate.It is rich in zinc, selenium, vitamins A, B1, B2, B12, C, D, E and K. The soybean used to make Haelan 851 is grown in special, mineral-rich soils and harvested at the peak of ripeness to ensure maximal nutrition. A fermentation process produces byproducts of naturally occurring substances called isoflavones, protease inhibitors, sponins, phytoesterols, and other compounds.

The formulation was developed by a microbiologist in China. The name "Haelan" is an old English spelling for healing. The number 851 is derived from the year 1985 and the month January when it was developed.

To learn more about Haelan 851, read Burton Goldberg's "Definitive Guide to Cancer."

Edamame
Trader Joe's sells frozen shelled soybeans. They are good to snack on and easy to add to soups, salads and casseroles.

Miso (mee-so)
Miso is a thick paste made from fermented soybeans and whole grain (usually rice or barley). It contains digestive agents that aid the digestion and assimilation of food. Miso has antioxidant properties acting as a scavenger of free radicals. It also contains dipicolinic acid, an alkaloid that bonds to heavy metals, minimizing possible negative effects and assisting the body in of gettting rid of them.

Miso is sold in markets as a paste or a dry powder and can be used to flavor soups, sauces and dressings. The paste is much more flavorful than the powdered version. Miso paste comes in a variety of flavors; red, light yelow, mellow red, mellow white, kyoto red and kyoto white. Sweet varieties of miso are aged for a shorter time and need to be refrigerated. Choose a natural, unpasteurized miso paste made with mineral-rich sea salt.

When using miso paste as a flavoring for soup, mix a small amount with water and add it to the broth after the broth has simmered. Many of the beneficial properties will be lost with prolonged cooking. Miso paste is very salty, so a little goes a long way. A mere 3/4 teaspoon will flavor a large bowl of soup.

Shoyu, Tamari and Soy Sauce
When making miso from fermenting soybeans and grain, there is a liquid byproduct commonly called soy sauce. Traditionally this liquid is called shoyu or tamari. Shoyu is made with wheat and tamari is wheat free. Soybeans contain all of the essential amino acids. Braggs Liquid Aminos is, basically an alcohol-free, non-fermented tamari sauce.

Tofu
Tofu, a white curd made from fermented soybeans, is sold in soft, medium and firm textures, plain or marinated in tamari sauce. An excellent source of vegetable protein and low in fat, this food is very versatile because its bland flavor. It can be used as a substitute for cheese, sour cream, milk and even in place of eggs in many recipes.

Soy milk
Today there are numerous manufacturers of soy milk and milk made from grains and nuts such as oats, barley, rice, triticale, amaranth, and almonds. These products can be found in health food stores and the health section of many grocery and pharmacy store chains. Some are in the refrigerated section while most are sold in boxes (similar to the lunch juices) and do not require refrigeration until opened. Soybean are high in protein and oils, therefore, soy milks tend to be creamy. They also tend to separate so "shake well before pouring" as the label says or you will find a sludge at the bottom. ( I try to use the last ounces in a smoothie or I mix it with a grain milk.) Soy milks also tend to separate when added to hot drinks like coffee or tea.

Traditional Chinese soy milk is made by soaking soybeans, grounding them, cooking the mixture and filtering off the fibrous okara. This results in a milk with a strong soybean flavor. With new technologies, many soy milks today are processed without oxygen which inactivates a certain enzyme responsible for the "beany" flavor. This produces a more mild flavored milk that American consumers find more appealing.

"Plain", "Natural", "Unflavored", and "Unsweetened" contain less surgar than the flavored versions. Many are enriched (fortified) with vitamins and minerals. The chart below indicates the nutritional values of the more popular milk alternative beverages and how they compare to 2% cow's milk. This chart was taken from the magazine, "Veggie Life" (www.veggielife.com)

* A soybean beverage that is "GMO-free" means that it does not contain genetically modified soybeans
This information and modified chart was taken from the magazine, "Veggie Life" (www.veggielife.com).