Despite various technological advancements in today’s modern world, and despite the presence of a wide array of resources to choose from, it is disheartening to find out that there are still medical conditions that prove to be a source of bafflement to the human race.

Oftentimes, these conditions are either debilitating or, worse, fatal. While medical experts have been exhausting efforts to get to the bottom of these conditions, some answers still prove to be elusive.  The root cause may be unknown, or the definite treatment is not yet available, and the best thing we can every carry out is to do all that we can do to prevent it.

Over the years, lifestyle modification has been advocated in order to help protect one’s body from developing certain forms of diseases.  Exercise, eating healthy and stress-reduction techniques have been emphasized over and over again.  A plethora of research studies supports the health benefits of doing simple changes – such as making the decision to use the stairs instead of the elevator; or choosing organic salt instead of table salt; and spending a few minutes each day to meditate. Simple, yes, but truly valuable.

Sanfilippo Syndrome

One condition that some people would not have heard of, but is very much existent, is a fatal childhood disease called Sanfilippo Syndrome.  It is actually a disease involving a person’s mucopolysaccharides – long chains of sugar molecules that are essential in order to build healthy connective tissues such as bones, tendons and cartilages. In a healthy, normal body, there exists a cycle: old mucopolysaccharides (also known as glycosaminoglycans) are broken down and then new ones will be formed. Children with Sanfilippo syndrome lack an enzyme that is responsible for breaking down old mucopolysaccharides.  As a result, long chains of sugar molecules accumulate inside the cell which will eventually cause the cell to burst and disrupt its function.

The symptoms of Sanfilippo syndrome are often seen after the child reaches the age of one. These children exhibits progressive decline in mental function and learning capacity.  Behavioural problems are also evident such as extreme restlessness and hyperactivity.  Physical signs include full lips, difficulty in sleeping, walking problems, diarrhea, and below average height. Death ultimately occurs as the child is in his early teens.

In the United Kingdom, Sanfilippo affects one child in 89,000 children. It is an autosomal recessive type of disorder which means that both parents should be carrying the defective gene in order to produce an offspring with Sanfilippo syndrome. Because of this type of inheritance pattern, parents are encouraged to undergo testing, especially if there is a positive occurrence of Sanfilippo in one’s family medical history.

Soya and Sanfilippo Syndrome

A team of scientists coming from The University of Manchester disclosed that a naturally occurring substance found in soy could potentially be used as an effective treatment for Sanfilippo.  Dr Brian Bigger, coming from the MPS Stem Cell Research Laboratory of the University of Manchester, discovered that a chemical called genistein produced a remarkable effect on mice with Sanfilippo syndrome. Genistein is obtained from soya beans and is now licensed in the United States as a drug for osteoporosis.

In the said study, mice suffering from Sanfilippo syndrome were given high doses of genistein for a period of nine months. Mice who were treated with genistein exhibited significant delay in mental deteriorations, plus a one-third reduction in the levels of excess sugar present in the brain brought about by the disease condition, and a one-sixth reduction in the inflammatory processes inside the brain.  Best of all, the research study, undertaken with colleagues from Manchester’s St Mary’s Hospital, also revealed that mice with other abnormal behaviours such as hyperactivity and extreme restlessness normally found in Sanfilippo were completely corrected with the use of the genistein treatment.

The result of the study was published in the Public Library of Science One journal.

The Health Benefits of Soya

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), cognizant of the numerous health benefits provided by soya, has recommended that consumers should incorporate soya into their diets.  Below are some of the health benefits that one may derive from soya consumption:

• Most soy foods are rich in fiber.  Current medical studies have shown that fiber helps enhance the feelings of fullness and satiety in between meals.  It also helps reduce hunger.  Additionally, the presence of fiber in soya helps prevent excessive calories brought about by unnecessary eating, which can ultimately lead to weight gain if left uncorrected. The intake of fiber-enriched soy foods may also help reduce the symptoms of constipation.
• More than 40 scientific studies have corroborated the positive health effects of consuming soy protein, most especially in reducing cholesterol levels, specifically the harmful LDL, or the bad cholesterol.  Increased level of LDL cholesterol is one of the major risk factors for heart disease.  Soy foods help the person emerge victorious against cardiovascular diseases, which is said to be the number one cause of death of adult women and men.
• A scientific study, whose results were published just recently, revealed that middle-aged individuals who consumed a minimum of 25 grams of soy protein each day had reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels.  This relays the effects of soy in maintaining healthy blood pressure levels and in keeping hypertension at bay.
• Soya intake is also recommended for teenagers as this may provide protective benefits against the development of breast cancer.  Other forms of cancer that may be prevented through soya intake include cancers of the colon and prostate.

The Problem with Soy is...

The health benefits presented above may be enough to convince you to start supplementing your, and your family’s, diet with soy. But here’s the catch:  you cannot simply go on a shopping spree for soy products at your local grocery store.  Why? Because most soy products that are readily available are genetically modified.  You would have to exert due diligence to make sure that the soy you and your family are consuming is not genetically modified in order to ensure that you fully get the health benefits that you deserve.

Sources
brighthub.com
soybean.org
eurekalert.org