Archive for August, 2008

Soy.

SOY

So here I am – still happily ensconced in Starbucks for the duration and my mind is still wandering to all things drinkable, and to the number of folks who wander through these doors and order a soy based beverage. Personally I don’t enjoy the flavor of soy and my children are kept off all soy based products because they are both intolerant. Soy reacts in the body in a similar way to dairy (casein) so if one has an intolerance to dairy chances are they are intolerant to both, hence our avoidance. The beverage of choice in our house is rice milk, and as most contain a small amount of gluten (Rice Dream) we are limited on what to purchase. Trader Joes has a very nice one without a trace of gluten so we generally gravitate to that product. As for SOY, I decided to do a little digging, after all many folks choose it as a healthier more digestible option to dairy or the nut based milks available.

Soy is made from soybeans. The milk is produced by soaking dry soybeans and grinding them down with water. Soy milk contains about the same proportion of protein as cow’s milk (around 3.5%) also 2% fat, and 2.9% carbohydrate and 5% ash.  It is possible to make soy milk in your own kitchen (using staple kitchen items or with a specialized product), as are all the nut milks. They usually require a hardy high speed blender and a milk bag to hold the pulp. Tofu is the coagulated protein from soy milk, much as cheese and cow’s milk. As the bean’s pulp is insoluble in humans, manufacturers enrich their products with calcium carbonate to aid human digestion.

There are many people declaring soy an unsafe product, Weston Price has summarized the dangers they believe are associated with this product and offer a free tri-fold brochure for distribution, they warn:
• High levels of phytic acid in soy reduce assimilation of calcium, magnesium, copper, iron and zinc. Phytic acid in soy is not neutralized by ordinary preparation methods such as soaking, sprouting and long, slow cooking. High phytate diets have caused growth problems in children.
• Trypsin inhibitors in soy interfere with protein digestion and may cause pancreatic disorders. In test animals soy containing trypsin inhibitors caused stunted growth.
• Soy phytoestrogens disrupt endocrine function and have the potential to cause infertility and to promote breast cancer in adult women.
• Soy phytoestrogens are potent antithyroid agents that cause hypothyroidism and may cause thyroid cancer. In infants, consumption of soy formula has been linked to autoimmune thyroid disease.
• Vitamin B12 analogs in soy are not absorbed and actually increase the body’s requirement for B12.
• Soy foods increase the body’s requirement for vitamin D.
• Fragile proteins are denatured during high temperature processing to make soy protein isolate and textured vegetable protein.
• Processing of soy protein results in the formation of toxic lysinoalanine and highly carcinogenic nitrosamines.
• Free glutamic acid or MSG, a potent neurotoxin, is formed during soy food processing and additional amounts are added to many soy foods.
• Soy foods contain high levels of aluminum which is toxic to the nervous system and the kidneys.

And the folks at SoyOnline in NZ are equally concerned: They offer a link from their website to many papers and other articles written on the disadvantages of using soy products and the reasons why they might be harming your health. Including this paper which argues against using soy based formulas for infants in light of the repercussions on their reproductive health.
Possible Effects of Soy Infant Formula by Sally Fallon, Mary Enig, PhD, & Michael Fitzptrck.

POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF PHYTOESTROGENS IN SOY INFANT FORMULA
Soy formula, which contains phytoestrogens, genistein and daidzein (also called isoflavones) is given to approximately 25% of those US children fed formula. It is estimated that an infant exclusively fed soy formula receives the estrogenic equivalent of at least five birth control pills per day. By contrast, almost no phytoestrogens have been detected in dairy-based infant formula or in human milk, even when the mother consumes soy products. A recent study found that babies fed soy-based formula had 13,000 to 22,000 times more isoflavones in their blood than babies fed milk-based formula. Scientists have known for years that isoflavones in soy products can depress thyroid function, causing autoimmune thyroid disease and even cancer of the thyroid. But what are the effects of soy products on the hormonal development of the infant, both male and female?”

The Mayo Clinic has this warning, “Soy and components of soy called “isoflavones” have been studied for many health conditions. Isoflavones (such as genistein) are believed to have estrogen-like effects in the body, and as a result, they are sometimes called “phytoestrogens.” In laboratory studies, it is not clear if isoflavones stimulate or block the effects of estrogen or both (acting as “mixed receptor agonists/antagonists”). They also have a short paragraph stating: These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.”

Soy doesn’t seem to have as good an image as I first thought; the effects on reproductive health should certainly be taken seriously.  It might be worth examining your daily intake, including that soy latte, and start thinking about making changes. I am beginning to realize that often it’s better to take the calories or the caffeine or the fat in a natural state than in a processed “pre-packaged as healthy” state. Enjoy!

For more information on this or any other health related concerns or supplement information contact Dr. Paul and Dr. Susan at Fontana Chiropractic, Evergreen CO. 303.674.1500 or email office@fontanachiro.com
Make an adjustment: Stay Healthy ~ Be happy!