Lately, you can’t turn on the TV or flip through a magazine without hearing the praises of soy. It’s in everything from diet foods, health foods, to desserts. Many health gurus sing its praises and encourage large amounts of consumption of soy products. Many times, it is considered a good meat substitute for vegetarians. However, the truth is soy is not good for you and should be avoided as much as possible outside of fermented soy such as soy sauce and perhaps occasional use as a condiment.
Many people will point to the use of Soy by Asians but the truth is, soy is not eaten at high levels in Asia as it is in the USA. They typically eat less than 8 grams of soy per day. Whereas in America that amount is growing rapidly to totally, replace animal proteins. Asians did not eat unfermented soy products because soybeans are impossible to digest properly and cause many digestive upsets. Today, studies have shown soy to be an estrogen, which causes cancer in test animals.
In addition, soy also has a substance that causes red blood cells to clot called haemagglutinin, which can increase the chances of contracting dangerous flu as well as contribute to stroke and heart attack. Also, soy is known to actually block the body from absorbing certain nutrients like protein, calcium, magnesium, copper, iron and zinc. The fermentation process helps avoid these issues to a point, but the other factor is that 99% of soy is genetically modified and very contaminated with pesticides.
Products containing such ingredients as soy protein isolate are highly processed foods. To be healthy humans need to eat foods as close to their natural state as possible and soy protein isolate is not something that can be made easily. A highly detailed chemical process has to take place to produce soy protein isolate. This ingredient, unfortunately, found in baby food, many health foods, school lunch programs and snacks is quite dangerous since it blocks absorption of vitamin and minerals. Unfortunately, marketing and the greed for money is at work in making soy into the so-called health food that it is perceived as today. You may agree or disagree with this article, but I invite you to look at the research regarding soy products and determine for yourself what is healthy for you and your family.
You have probably heard some of the hype about soy. Some people tout soy as an incredible cure-all while others take a more skeptical view. It’s no surprise that so many people are left wondering if they should ingest soy products. The truth is, soy has both benefits and drawbacks. It’s up to you to weigh them and make an informed decision about whether or not soy is right for you.
Here is a look at a few of the pros and cons.
Many women first hear about the wonders of soy as they approach midlife. Soy contains plant estrogen and may be able to compensate for the low estrogen levels commonly found in menopausal women. One big concern of women going through menopause is osteoporosis. Soy is believed to help reduce osteoporosis. It is also being looked at as a way to prevent breast cancer in pre-menopausal women, although studies are still under way. Soy may also help alleviate the discomfort of hot flashes.
Soy milk may be a better choice than cow’s milk for a lot of people. Many people who are lactose intolerant swear by soy milk for their coffee and cereal. Even people who can tolerate cow’s milk prefer to use soy milk because it has more protein and fiber than cow’s milk without any of the cholesterol. In fact, soy may actually lower cholesterol and in turn help prevent heart disease. Heart disease is another big concern for menopausal women so the popularity of soy in this age group is no surprise.
Soy is not without its detractors, however. Some people believe that soy actually increases your risk of breast cancer if you are post-menopausal by introducing too much estrogen into your system. Women with a history of breast cancer or at high risk should avoid excessive soy intake. Another potential issue is soy’s ability to affect thyroid function. If you have hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism it is best to avoid taking large amounts of soy.
Another problem with soy is that many people are allergic to it. Allergic reactions to soy can be quite severe and include difficulty breathing and swelling of the throat. Soybeans are legumes just like peanuts so if you have a peanut allergy, you should be very cautious about trying soy.
Studies about the benefits and drawbacks of soy are ongoing. In the meantime, it is best to consume moderate amounts of soy from dietary sources if you are looking to reap some of the benefits. If you have any medical conditions or take any medications, it’s a good idea to check with your doctor first before dramatically increasing your soy intake.
Phytoestrogens are plant based estrogens that you ingest by eating plants with these xenoestrogens, such as nuts, seeds, soy, fruits and vegetables. Some commonly known foods that contain plant based estrogens are flax seeds, tofu and soy milk. There is a lot of controversy surrounding these estrogens and whether or not they are “good” for human consumption. One side says that these estrogens are bad especially if you happen have a genetic predisposition to develop estrogen based cancers. Others say these estrogens are really good for you and should be consumed regularly.
Depending on what side of this fence you sit, and you do have to make your own choices, you might consume these plant based estrogens or you might not. Either way, it has to be up to you. Be cognizant of the issues with soy which are becoming more mainstream in terms of eating too much being a danger to your health. If you are low in estrogen, these items might be very beneficial, but if you already have sufficient estrogen, or have had an estrogen type of cancer such as breast cancer, it might cause you harm.
Many women see phytoestrogens as found in alternative treatments like red clover to be affective alternatives to synthetic hormone replacement, others believe it is all just a con job. The trick is for you to do your due diligence on any claims of any product, and then if you feel safe enough try for yourself to see if they offer the effects you seek.
