foodconsumer.org: Eating too much soy may cause memory loss

Eating too much soy may cause memory loss
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admin on 07/11/2008 20:42:00
 
FRIDAY JULY 11, 2008 (foodconsumer.org) -- A new study says that eating too much
of some soy products including tofu may raise the risk of memory loss, a typical
symptom of dementia.
The study of 719 elderly Indonesians living in urban and rural areas of Java
showed that high tofu consumption --at least once a day -- was linked with
worsened memory, particularly significantly in those aged over 68.
The study was conducted by researchers at the Loughborough University and
results were published in the journal Dementias and Geriatric Cognitive
Disorders.
The researchers suspected that phytoestrogen may play a role in the worsening of
memory.   Early studies showed that estrogen therapy doubled the risk of
dementia in those over 65.
However, other factors can't be excluded.   In Indonesia, formaldehyde, a highly
reactive cancer-causing agent that is sometimes used to preserve foods like
tofu, may be partially responsible for the increased risk of memory loss.
The study also found that fermented tofu was linked to improved memory.
Tofu is a popular food used as a major protein source in Asian countries and
regarded as a healthy food.   Low prevalence of breast cancer in Asia may be
attributed to soy products.
By Ben Wasserman, and edited by Heather Kelley.
Jul 11, 2008 - 7:58:28 AM