Dairy reduces inflammation and oxidative stress more than soy

This is a surprising paper just published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Don’t forget that allergy to casein (dairy protein) is a serious matter, but when that is not a factor note what the investigators found: “The dairy-supplemented diet resulted in significant suppression of oxidative stress and lower inflammatory markers and increased adiponectin, whereas the soy exerted no significant effect.” Just goes to show the importance of the scientific approach and an open mind. The authors conclude: “An increase in dairy food intake produces significant and substantial suppression of the oxidative and inflammatory stress associated with overweight and obesity.” The best dairy is from animals eating alpine grasses or forage rather than grain, whether cow, sheep or yak. [In fact, 'yak' refers to the male of the species; the milk-bearing female is the dru.]

Comparing Medications to Reduce Risk for Breast Cancer

This recent paper published in Annals of Internal Medicine reviews 8 trials to compare three medications that bind to estrogen receptors to exert an anti-estrogenic effect. These drugs “…increased risk for thromboembolic events [blood clots] (tamoxifen and raloxifene), endometrial cancer (tamoxifen), and strokes (tibolone).” Ladies, there are other choices; here is just one: This study recently published in the journal Cancer Science investigates the consumption of soy products (a weak estrogen receptor stimulator) and concludes: “This study suggests that consumption of soy food, soy isoflavone, is inversely associated with the risk of breast cancer.” Interestingly, “The protective effects of soy did not seem to differ by ER and PR breast cancer status.” (Bear in mind that this refers mainly to fermented soy products.)