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THE SENATE                           S.C.R. NO.            
TWENTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2000                                
STATE OF HAWAII                                            
                                                             
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                    SENATE  CONCURRENT
                        RESOLUTION

  REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO STUDY THE HEALTH
    BENEFITS OF TOFU AND SOY BASED FOOD PRODUCTS. 


 1        WHEREAS, soy is an abundant and economical source of
 2   protein which appears to offer numerous health benefits
 3   including lowering the risk of cancer and other chronic
 4   diseases and reducing the symptoms of menopause; and
 5   
 6        WHEREAS, traditional sources of soy proteins include tofu,
 7   bean curd, miso, and soy sauce; and
 8   
 9        WHEREAS, the American Institute for Cancer Research states
10   that isoflavones, which are found in soybeans, may inhibit the
11   enzymes which promote the growth and spread of different types
12   of cancer; and
13   
14        WHEREAS, other research indicates that the daily use of
15   soy products may help protect against heart disease by lowering
16   LDL cholesterol levels; and
17   
18        WHEREAS, the Division of Nutritional Science of the
19   University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana found in a study
20   that post-menopausal women with high concentrations of soy in
21   their diets had healthier bone structures; and
22   
23        WHEREAS, the Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics
24   of the University of Chicago found in several studies that soy
25   protein may act as a natural therapy for individuals suffering
26   from osteoporosis; and
27   
28        WHEREAS, it was stated in an issue of the Mayo Health
29   Clinic newsletter that cultures whose diets utilize soy as the
30   main source of protein experience lower rates of heart disease,
31   cancer, and osteoporosis; and
32   
33        WHEREAS, the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii found in a
34   study that increased soy intake may reduce the risk of uterine
35   cancer; and
36   

 
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                                  S.C.R. NO.            
                                                        
                                                        

 
 1        WHEREAS, notwithstanding the paragraphs above, the Pacific
 2   Health Research Institute reported as a result of a study of
 3   Asian American men in Hawaii, that eating tofu could lead to
 4   dementia or Alzheimer's disease late in life; and
 5   
 6        WHEREAS, additional studies and investigations are
 7   necessary to determine whether soy products are in fact
 8   beneficial to human health; now, therefore,
 9   
10        BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twentieth Legislature
11   of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2000, the House of
12   Representatives concurring, that the Department of Health
13   conduct a study of soy and soy-based products and make a
14   comprehensive determination of the effects of soy on human
15   health; and
16   
17        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Health is
18   requested to report findings and recommendations to the
19   Legislature twenty days before the convening of the Regular
20   Session of 2001; and
21   
22        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this
23   Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Health.
24 
25 
26 
27                         OFFERED BY:  ____________________________