Women Could Be at Risk From Soy
                   By Judi Sheppard Missett
                   CEO of Jazzercise, Inc.

                   Soy created a tremendous buzz in
                   health circles when the U.S. Food and
                   Drug Administration approved special
                   labeling for foods containing 6.25
                   grams of soy protein per serving. Such
                   foods can carry the following health
                   claim: "Diets low in saturated fat and
                   cholesterol that include 25 grams of
                   soy protein per day may reduce the
                   risk of heart disease."

                   The FDA's decision to allow this claim
                   was influenced by studies like the one
                   conducted at Wake Forest University
                   Baptist Medical Center in
                   Winston-Salem, N.C., which found that
                   people who ate low-fat diets high in
                   soy foods lowered their LDL, or "bad"
                   cholesterol, by 10 percent. In addition
                   to decreasing the risk of heart
                   disease, soy also has been credited
                    with building strong bones and
                    preserving lean body mass.

                   But soy may not be the wonder food
                   early reports have implied. New
                   concerns have surfaced regarding soy
                   and breast cancer. Plant-based
                   estrogens found in soy protein, called
                   isoflavones, have been found to
                   stimulate breast cell proliferation. As
                   some types of breast cancer rely on
                   estrogen to grow, it is possible that a
                   diet high in soy protein may actually
                   speed the growth of cancerous cells.

                   Additional research is warranted, but
                  women who have breast cancer or are
                   at high risk are advised not to
                   consume large quantities of soy. In
                   fact, if soy is not currently part of their
                   diets, experts suggest, leave it out. For
                   women who eat soy regularly,
                   moderation is the key.

                   Many experts believe that cancer
                   survivors are safe consuming 2 to 3
                   ounces of soy-based foods a day. One
                   to three servings of soy are
                   appropriate for women who are not at
                   high risk for breast cancer.

                   Of course, diet is only half of the health
                   equation. To lower your risk of
                   disease, you should also:
                       Refrain from smoking
                       Consume alcohol and caffeine in
                       moderation
                       Maintain a healthy weight
                       Exercise regularly

                   A well-rounded fitness program
                   includes both aerobic exercise and
                   strength training. Guidelines set forth
                   by the American College of Sports
                   Medicine recommend three to five
                   aerobic workouts and two strength
                   training sessions per week.