Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Should you eat soy after menopause? U of T researchers dispel myth about soy and cancer

rahul.kalvapalle — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 00:53:18 +0000

Should you eat soy after menopause? U of T researchers dispel myth about soy and cancer

rahul.kalvapalle Tue, 12/03/2024 - 19:53

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A study led by researchers at the Temerty Faculty of Medicine's department of nutritional sciences found that soy isoflavones – estrogen-like compounds – had no effect on key markers of estrogen-related cancers (photo by Yagi Studio/Getty Images)

Betty Zou

Topic

Breaking Research

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Unity Health

Nutritional Sciences

St. Michael's Hospital

Subheadline

“We hope our study will help people feel more comfortable including soy foods in their diet"

A study led by experts at the ��߲ݴ�ý's Temerty Faculty of Medicine is providing reassuring evidence on consumption of soy foods during postmenopause.

In a systematic review and meta-analysis of 40 trials in over 3,000 participants, U of T researchers gathered results on the effects of soy isoflavones – estrogen-like compounds naturally found in plants – on biological outcomes related to risk of endometrial and other female-related cancers.

Their results, published in Advances in Nutrition, found that isoflavones had no effect on key markers of estrogen-related cancers, supporting the safety of soy as a food as well as potential therapy.

“The risk of cardiovascular disease increases substantially as women* go through menopause, so soy can offer dual benefits during this particular phase of life,” says the study’s senior author Laura Chiavaroli, an assistant professor in Temerty's department of nutritional sciences and affiliate scientist at the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute at St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto.

Assistant Professor Laura Chiavaroli (left) and PhD student Gabrielle Viscardi (supplied images)

Yet, Chiavaroli notes many people are hesitant to eat soy foods because they contain isoflavones, which have a similar structure to estrogen. In animal studies, large doses of isoflavones have been linked to a higher risk of cancer.

“Something we hear very often is that people have a lot of concern about consuming soy because there are so many conflicting messages out there,” says Gabrielle Viscardi, a second-year PhD student in the department of nutritional sciences and the study’s lead author.

This is despite the fact that several health advocacy groups, including the Canadian Cardiovascular Society, already recommend soy foods as part of a healthy diet. Health Canada and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have both recognized soy – a high-quality and complete source of protein – as effective in reducing the risk of heart disease

Soy foods have also been shown to alleviate hot flashes associated with menopause, which affect many women and impact their quality of life.

The trials considered for the U of T study followed postmenopausal women from around the world who had consumed either soy isoflavones or a non-isoflavone control for at least three months.

The researchers concluded that consumption of soy isoflavones did not affect the four key estrogen-related markers, namely: thickness of uterus lining, vaginal maturation index (a measure of estrogen status) and levels of circulating estrogen and follicle-stimulating hormone.

Their findings support the idea that soy isoflavones behave differently from human estrogen, particularly when it comes to cancers that depend on estrogen to develop. “We have estrogen receptors throughout our bodies but, contrary to the hormone estrogen, isoflavones from soy don’t bind to all the estrogen receptors equally,” says Viscardi, who is also a registered dietitian. “That’s why we see a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system and no effect on the female reproductive system.”

This difference in biological activity explains why soy isoflavones have been considered as a possible alternative to hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which is used to treat menopause symptoms by replacing the estrogen that the body stops producing during this period.

Chiavaroli notes some people don’t want to take HRTs and are seeking alternative options.

Further, HRTs may also not be a good option for people at an increased risk of estrogen-sensitive cancers like breast cancer, as well as those with a history of heart disease and stroke. For these individuals, consuming soy foods as part of a balanced diet could help manage their menopausal symptoms while also reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Chiavaroli says the study's findings also align with Health Canada’s dietary guidelines that encourage people to choose plant-based proteins more often, a move that would also convey benefits for the environment.

“We hope our study will help people feel more comfortable including soy foods in their diet without being concerned that it’s going to increase their risk of estrogen-dependent cancer,” says Chiavaroli.

The study was funded by the United Soybean Board (U.S. Department of Agriculture) and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research through the Canada-wide Human Nutrition Trialists’ Network.

* Although menopause is sex-specific, the study retains use of the term "women" as it is used conventionally in studies and guidelines on menopause

U of T and Blue Jays sports doc on serving as Taylor Swift's primary care physician in Toronto

Christopher.Sorensen — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 14:20:45 +0000

U of T and Blue Jays sports doc on serving as Taylor Swift's primary care physician in Toronto

Christopher.Sorensen Mon, 12/02/2024 - 09:20

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David Lawrence, medical director and staff physician at U of T's David L. MacIntosh Sport Medicine Clinic and assistant professor in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, attends a Taylor Swift concert in Toronto with his wife (photo courtesy of David Lawrence)

Jelena Damjanovic

Topic

City & Culture

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education

Music

Toronto Blue Jays

Subheadline

David Lawrence says the physical and mental demands on Swift are comparable to those of elite athletes

David Lawrence is used to ensuring that high-level performers are healthy and ready to deliver on the big stage. A staff physician and medical director of the ��߲ݴ�ý’s David L. MacIntosh Sport Medicine Clinic, Lawrence is also lead team primary care physician for the Toronto Blue Jays.

So when the opportunity arose to serve as primary care medical doctor for Taylor Swift during the Toronto stop of her Eras Tour, he approached it like he would caring for high-level athletes and teams.

“Just like in an athletic team, the focus was on ensuring the health and readiness of a high-performing individual – in this case, Taylor Swift – along with her core team and supporting personnel,” says Lawrence, who is also an assistant professor in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine’s department of family and community medicine. “The physical and mental demands on her as an artist are comparable to those of elite athletes, with grueling schedules, significant physical exertion and the pressure to perform at peak levels.”

Lawrence was approached by senior front office members of the Rogers Centre and Blue Jays organization for the job. “It’s fairly common for high-profile artists to reach out to local professional sports teams for logistical or medical support during large events,” he says.

His role: provide primary care services on-call for Swift, her crew, support staff, family members and even children traveling with her team.

He says the dynamic of working with a large, well-organized team behind the scenes felt familiar. “Crew members, much like the staff supporting athletes, often face their own physical and mental stresses,” he says. “The overarching goal in both scenarios is the same: to address any issues quickly and efficiently so the performance, whether on stage or on the field, can continue seamlessly.

“The pressure to ensure readiness and a rapid return to performance if anything arose was another parallel, making this experience feel very much in line with my usual work.”

While Lawrence wouldn’t have called himself a Swiftie before this experience, he says he was incredibly impressed by the pop star’s performances. “The production was staggering and Taylor’s ability to perform for over three straight hours was nothing short of remarkable, making it clear how much preparation and effort go into delivering a show of that calibre,” says Lawrence. “It was a true showcase of an incredible combination of talent and hard work. It gave me a whole new appreciation for the dedication and effort behind such performances.”

Lawrence was also struck by the passion of Swift’s adoring fans.

“It was like nothing I’ve ever seen before,” he says. “The energy in the crowd was electric. With everyone singing every lyric so passionately it felt like the audience was just as much a part of the performance.”

U of T shines a spotlight on exceptional educators at Excellence in Teaching reception

rahul.kalvapalle — Wed, 27 Nov 2024 18:02:53 +0000

U of T shines a spotlight on exceptional educators at Excellence in Teaching reception

rahul.kalvapalle Wed, 11/27/2024 - 13:02

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U of T Vice-President and Provost Trevor Young (centre) poses with Cheryl Regehr Early Career Teaching Award recipients, from left to right: Jasty Singh, Spyridon Kotsovilis, S. Trimble and Roberta K. Timothy (photo by Polina Teif)

Rahul Kalvapalle

Topic

Our Community

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Trevor Young

Early Career Teaching Award

Dalla Lana School of Public Health

Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

Faculty of Arts & Science

Teaching

U of T Mississauga

U of T Scarborough

Women and Gender Studies

At the ��߲ݴ�ý, teaching is about much more than just imparting knowledge – it’s an engaging, dynamic and creative process that expands and enriches the way students think, preparing them for future success in academics and their careers.

The recent Excellence in Teaching reception hosted by U of T’s Office of the Provost recognized the fundamental importance of teaching to the university’s mission. In particular, it honoured five faculty members who received Cheryl Regehr Early Career Teaching Awards, which were recently renamed in honour of Cheryl Regehr – Young’s predecessor as vice-president and provost, a professor in the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work and a longtime champion of teaching excellence and innovation at U of T.

“These awards recognize burgeoning talent among our most junior faculty. We expect – and we know from experience – that these recipients will continue to lead and excel in teaching,” Trevor Young, U of T’s vice-president and provost said at the Nov. 4 event held at the Faculty Club.

The event also featured the presentation of the Global Educator Award, which recognizes a faculty member who exemplifies U of T’s global mission by incorporating intercultural and international perspectives.

“I’m extremely proud of U of T for many reasons,” Young said, “and one of them is what’s evident here today, which is the immense talent and experience of our faculty as well as their deep commitment to our university, to our students, to knowledge [and] to research. All that you’re doing is really incredible.”

U of T News spoke with all six award winners about their approach to educating students: