The Truth About Soy

Do you ask for a soy cappuccino instead of the full-cream-milk version because you think it’s healthier? Can you explain why? Probably not… Don’t feel bad about it. Most of us were mislead to believing that soy milk is better than regular milk, tofu is better then cheese and soy yoghurt is better than regular yoghurt. We were told that replacing animal milk products with soy will help prevent a heart disease and menopausal symptoms and help us lose weight.The problem is, these claims were never proved by a scientific research! On the contrary, research indicated that regular consumption of soy products may be harmful to fertility, affect reproductive development and may not be safe for women with breast cancer.In a search for the truth about soy, I’ve came across an excellent summary on the Weston A.Price Foundation website (www.WestonAPrice.org). 

Here are some of the most interesting points

1. The high levels of phytic acid in soy reduce the absorption of calcium, magnesium, copper, iron and zinc.
2. Phytic acid in soy is not neutralized by ordinary preparation methods such as soaking, sprouting, and long, slow cooking. (Soy contains the highest levels of phytic acid of any grain or legume).
3. Trypsin inhibitors in soy interfere with protein digestion and can cause pancreatic disorders.
4. Soy phytoestrogens disrupt endocrine function and have the potential to cause infertility and to promote breast cancer in adult women. In a study of 99 men, those with highest soy intake had 41 million less sperm than those who ate no soy.
5. Soy phytoestrogens are also potent antithyroid agents causing hypothyroidism. In infants, consumption of soy formula has been linked to autoimmune thyroid disease.
6. Soy foods increase body’s requirement for vitamin D.
7. Fragile proteins are denatured during the high temperature processing used to make soy protein isolate and texturized vegetable protein.
8. The processing of soy protein results in formation of toxic lysinoalanine and highly carcinogenic nitrosamines.
9. Soy foods contain high levels of aluminum, which is toxic to the nervous system and kidneys.

The good news is there are some healthy soy products such as fermented forms of miso, natto, and tempeh as long as they are organic and from non-genetically modified crop.Fermentation neutralizes phytic acid and trypsin inhibitors. However, thyroid inhibitors can not be neutralized by fermentation, so even miso, natto and tempeh should be eaten in moderation and definitely not on a daily basis.