Soy has had a huge hey-day as a miracle food from the 90′s, and the hype is still alive and well for many health-conscious people. BUT, while soy and soy products may serve as a good source protein and other nutrients for vegetarians, in reality, this bean has quite of list of reasons why to just say NO, including allergies, thyroid problems, hormonal imbalances including PMS and infertility, and more.
Before you pour that soy milk on your cereal or down a tofu scramble, read about how this “health” food may be causing more harm than good.
Phytoestrogens
Soy contains more phytoestrogens than almost any other food product. Phytoestrogen is plant-based estrogen that mimics the natural estrogen found in our bodies. The potential problem with this chemical is the effect it can have on individuals who under normal circumstances have no need for an estrogen supplement.
Peri-menopausal women may use soy products to help control discomforting symptoms that result from hormonal imbalances, including hot flashes and mood swings. But what are the effects of phytoestrogen on men, children, teens and young women?
- Early Onset Puberty - Children given soy formula as infants may experience early puberty as compared to their non-soy-guzzling peers. Early puberty is a problem because it exposes the body to sex hormones for a longer period of time that what is normal. For young boys, this means an increased risk of developing testicular cancer as an adult. For girls, early puberty increases the lifetime risk of developing breast cancer, ovarian cysts, and thyroid disease.
- Breast Cancer - The consumption of soy products and increased intake of phytoestrogens may be linked to the onset of breast cancer at an early age in women .
- Throid issues - Japanese research suggests consuming soybeans may causehypothroidism and goiter.
- Male Fertility Issues - The phytoestrogens present in soy can significantly lower a man’s sperm count which can contribute to infertility.
Toxicity and Allergens
- Toxicity - High manganese levels in soy formula may cause brain damage from toxicity. There also appears to be a relationship between soy formula consumption and the development of ADHD and behavioral problems in kids.
- Allergies - While soy is among the top 8 most common food allergens, it can be a silent villian since allergic reactions to soy are not always immediate.
Genetically Modified Soy Foods
The phytoestrogens and other substances in soy foods may be the cause of health risks, but that’s not the only problem.
Since the 1990s, genetically modified soy is widely grown and included in food products in the U.S. The seeds used in these crops are genetically modified in laboratories to enhance desirable traits, such as improved nutritional content, heat resistance or resistance to herbicides.
GM foods pose huge threats on the environment, reek havoc for farmers’ livelihoods, and may be dangerous to human health, including possible increased risk for allergy.
Take a Conservative Approach to Soy Consumption
Be conservative and conscious about your soy consumption. Avoid genetically modified soy, eliminate soy where possible (especially for children or those with any immune system weakness or possible hormone imbalance), then enjoy soy foods you love in moderation. Two more things to know:
- Go Fermented - Only consume fermented soy products, such as tempeh, miso, natto, and fermented tofu. Fermented soy does not contain the toxins present in non-cultured soy products. Fermentation increases the availability of isoflavones which are associated with cancer prevention, and fermentation produces probiotics, the beneficial bacteria that improves digestion and nutrient absorption in the body.
- Read your labels - Soy is a common ingredient in popular “health” foods and protein supplements. Make sure you know what you’re putting in your mouth to avoid accidentally saucing yourself with soy.