featuring soy may help with the treatment of colon cancer, a new study suggests.
Researchers from the Childrens Hospital and Research Center Oakland found that sphingadienes (SDs), natural lipid molecules found in soy, may help colon cancer patients fight off the disease, which is the third deadliest cancer.
The study was conducted on fruit flies, and found that SDs in the insects system helped destroy mutant cells. The researchers noted that the common treatment for colon cancer patients is to remove the cancerous cells from the body. Lead researcher Dr. Julie Saba explained that while soy has been known to help patients with the disease, the discovery of the benefits of SDs could lead to future cancer treatments.
“This information is important because we can build on our understanding of the structure and metabolism of SDs in terms of developing new drugs to treat people who already have colon cancer,” Saba said.
Saba also revealed that she would feel comfortable advising patients to include more soy products to their diet in hopes of preventing colon cancer.