Beware of the Soy “health food” Hype

In recent years, it has become widely accepted that Soy, prepared in any way, is a health food. It is thought that Soy is an alternative to animal-based foods. Proponents of this ideology often cite the “fact” that Asian cultures, notorious for their excellent health, consume a diet rich in Soy.

In fact, nothing could be further from the truth, these beliefs about the Asian use of Soy are simply lies propagated by the very same people who fill their pockets with the money of the misguided individuals who want to improve their health.

Scientific research has linked Soy to a variety of health problems including: cancer, brain damage, hormonal imbalances, thyroid problems, kidney stones, sexual dysfunction and behavior problems. The following article from Dr. Mercola covers most of the information available regarding the dangers of Soy.

Why Soy Can Damage Your Health

Joseph Mercola | Mercola.com

• Newest Research On Why You Should Avoid Soy – by Sally Fallon & Mary G. Enig, Ph.D. – What was once a minor crop, listed in the 1913 US Department of Agriculture (USDA) handbook not as a food but as an industrial product, now covers 72 million acres of American farmland.
• Soy May Cause Cancer and Brain Damage – Two senior US government scientists have revealed that chemicals in soy could increase the risk of breast cancer in women, brain damage in both men and women, and abnormalities in infants.
• The Trouble With Tofu: Soy and the Brain -by John D. MacArthur – “Tofu Shrinks Brain!” Not a science fiction scenario, this sobering soybean revelation is for real. But how did the “poster bean” of the ’90s go wrong? Apparently, in many ways — none of which bode well for the brain.
• Soy: Too Good to be True – by Brandon Finucan & Charlotte Gerson – While even in 1966 there was considerable research on the harmful substances within soybeans, you’ll be hard pressed to find articles today that claim soy is anything short of a miracle-food. As soy gains more and more popularity through industry advertising, we are moved once again to raise our voice of concern.
• Learn The Truth About The Historical Use Of Soy – Just How Much Soy Did Asians Eat? In short, not that much, and contrary to what the industry may claim, soy has never been a staple in Asia. A study of the history of soy use in Asia shows that the poor used it during times of extreme food shortage, and only when the soybeans were carefully prepared (e.g. by lengthy fermentation) to destroy the soy toxins. Yes, the Asians understood soy all right!
• High Soy Diet During Pregnancy And Nursing May Cause Developmental Changes In Children – Two separate studies — one in animals and the other in humans, suggest that a diet high in soybeans and other legumes during pregnancy and breastfeeding may have a subtle but long-term impact on the development of children.
• Concerns Regarding Soybeans – Some good information abstracted from an article written by Sally Fallon and Mary Enig, Ph.D. for Health Freedom News in September of 1995.
• Soy Can Cause Severe Allergic Reactions – Soy, like its botanically-related cousin the peanut, could be responsible for severe, potentially fatal, cases of food allergy, particularly in children with asthma who are also very sensitive to peanuts.
• Soy Supplements Fail to Help Menopause Symptoms – Supplements that contain concentrated phytoestrogens — plant-based estrogens found in soy — do not appear to improve mood, memory or menopause symptoms in women over age 45.
• 20/20 Feature on the Dangers of Soy – The ABC television news program 20/20 aired a feature story Friday June 8, 2000 on the dangers of soy.
• Soy Formulas and the Effects of Isoflavones on the Thyroid – Environmental scientist and long-time campaigner against soy-based infant formulas, Dr Mike Fitzpatrick, warns about the risk of thyroid disease in infants fed soy formulas, high soy consumers and users of isoflavone supplements.
• Pregnant Women Should Not Eat Soy Products – In-utero exposure to genistein increases the incidence of breast tumors.
• Soybean Crisis – Jane Phillimore of The Observer addresses some of the concerns raised by new research about the safety of soy.
• Response To Those Who Believe Soy Is Healthy – In a recent Letter to the Editor of the Townsend Letter, Sally Fallon and Dr. Mary Enig make the case that soy is not the health food that it is claimed to be. The soy campaign is, in fact, a case study in the use of propaganda to promote commercial interests, they allege.
• Soy Can Lead to Kidney Stones – Those who are prone to the painful condition known as kidney stones may become more vulnerable to it through the consumption of soy.
• Chemical in Soybeans Causes Sexual Dysfunction in Male Rats – Exposure to genistein, a chemical found in soybeans, led to abnormal reproductive organs and sexual dysfunction in rats. Take a hint and avoid all but fermented soy products if you want to decrease your chances of having fertility problems.
• Experts Dispute JAMA Soy Infant Formula Study – The results of study on soy formula are being disputed for several reasons, including the omission of negative findings regarding the product.
• Soy Milk Is Safe! That Is What the Formula Industry Says – A biased study funded by the formula industry attempts to polish the image of their product. Don’t be deceived though, as soy formula remains one of the worst foods you can feed your child.
• Australian Pediatric Soy Protein Formula Policy – Read about the abundance of reasons why conventional milk infant formula is preferred over soy formula, as well as the dangers of feeding soy formulas to infants.
• Soy Baby Formula Linked to Behavioral Problems – Elevated levels of manganese in soy infant formula may be related to attention-related disorders.
• How Safe is Soy Infant Formula? – New research suggests high concentrations of manganese found in soybean-based baby formula can lead to brain damage in infants and altered behaviors in adolescents.
• Soy Formula Exposes Infants To High Hormone Levels – The daily exposure of infants to phyto-estrogens (chemicals that possess wide ranges of hormonal and non-hormonal activities) who consume soy formulas was 6-11 times higher than adults consuming soy foods.
• Soy Weakens Your Immune System – There is one thing that is quite clear, soy formula should never be administered to an infant. Find out why.
• Soy Milk is Gaining Popularity in America – Soy milk, once a niche market, is now making its way into mainstream America. Find out why soy is not the health food it is promoted to be.

Links to More Information on Soy

• Soy Online Service – “Uncovering the truth about soy”
• Institute of Food Research – Information sheet on soy.
• The Weston A. Price Foundation – Great source of quality diet information.