The primary active ingredients in soybeans are
PHYTOESTROGENS, chemicals that function in the
human body like weak ESTROGENS. Researchers
have connected estrogen with numerous health
conditions including BREAST CANCER, PROSTATE CAN-
CER, cardiovascular disease, and OSTEOPOROSIS.
Though soy and phytoestrogens appear to
improve these conditions, researchers remain
uncertain as to the mechanisms of phytoestrogens
in the human body and the potential risks that
they present. Estrogen can both prevent and cause
BREASTcancer, for example. Much research contin-
ues to explore these issues. In the meantime,
health experts recommend most people substitute
soy products for meats to reduce dietary saturated
fats as a measure for reducing the risk of heart dis-
ease. Soybeans are the only plant-based source of
complete protein, providing all of the essential
proteins the body requires.
SOYUses Risks/Side Effects Interactions
lower LDL cholesterol may increase risk for none known
reduce risk for HEART estrogen-driven breast
disease cancers
reduce risk for gastrointestinal upset
OSTEOPOROSIS
relieve menopausal
discomforts
reduce risk for PROSTATE
CANCER
reduce risk for some
BREAST CANCERS
See also GREEN TEA;HORMONE-DRIVEN CANCERS;
HORMONE THERAPY; SOY AND CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH.
St. John’s wort An herb, Hypericum perforatum,
that healers have used for centuries to treat
DEPRESSION. The actions of St. John’s wort appear
similar to those of the serotonin reuptake inhibitor
(SSRI) antidepressants. St. John’s wort is available
in teas, extracts, and capsules as a dietary supple-
ment in the United States, and as a medication
that requires a doctor’s prescription in most of
Europe. In Europe, St. John’s wort is the most
widely prescribed of the ANTIDEPRESSANT MEDICA-
TIONS. Researchers believe the active ingredients
are hypericin and hyperforin, though in isolation
these substances do not produce the same results
as the intact herb. These are the substances most
commonly available in extract products.
Most health experts agree that while St. John’s
wort may help mild to moderate depression as
well as mild to moderate anxiety, it is not effective
in major depression or in BIPOLAR DISORDER, a com-
bination of depressive and manic symptoms. St.
John’s wort interacts with a number of medica-
tions, including some HIV/AIDSmedications, certain
CHEMOTHERAPYagents, and IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE MED-
ICATIONS such as cyclosporine taken following
ORGAN TRANSPLANTATION. Because St. John’s wort
extends the presence and action of serotonin, peo-
ple who take SSRI or monoamine oxidase
inhibitor (MAOI) antidepressants should not take
St. John’s wort. A serious and sometimes fatal
complication, serotonin syndrome, may result.Serotonin syndrome is a serious and
potentially fatal SIDE EFFECT of ANTIDE-
PRESSANT MEDICATIONS. It requires imme-
diate medical attention.Because depression can be a serious medical
condition, most doctors prefer that people receive
conventional medical treatment. That treatment
may include St. John’s wort, after a thorough
evaluation of the person’s physical and mental
health status. But health experts caution that self-
diagnosis and self-treatment can be risky.ST. JOHN’S WORT(Hypericum perforatum)
Uses Risks/Side Effects Interactions
mild to moderate serotonin syndrome CHEMOTHERAPY
DEPRESSION sun sensitivity agents
HIV/AIDS
medications
immunosuppressive
drugs
SSRIs and MAOIsSee also SAME; VALERIAN.Sun’s Soup A formula of herbs and vegetables,
formally called Sun Farms Vegetable Soup (SFVS)
and sometimes referred to as Selected Vegetables,
developed to treat non-small cell LUNG CANCER
(NSCLC) and HIV/AIDS. The formula’s developer,Sun’s Soup 99