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THE MYTH OF SOY

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Published on Monday, 23 April 2012 20:58

Written by Super User

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THE MYTH OF SOY: VEGETARIANS BEWARE

Ahhh soy!! It’s everywhere. You couldn’t get away from it if you tried. There’s soy lattes, soy energy bars, soymilk, soy ice cream, veggie burgers, etc. In addition to being surrounded by soy products, the media would have you believe soy protein can cure everything from a hangnail to cancer while protecting the environment. I used to be one of the believers in my 20’s until I began to suffer some significant consequences of my soy intake, and I wasn’t even a vegetarian. After hearing of all these wonderful benefits I began to eat soy left, right, and center because it was so convenient. I had always been lactose intolerant so I thought soymilk would be a good substitute. In a matter of months, I began experiencing significant digestive stress, my basal body temperature went down (indicating low thyroid function), and my PMS skyrocketed.

I never associated these symptoms with soy intake until I heard Paul Chek from the CHEK Institute give an exercise related seminar where he discussed how gut inflammation inhibits the abdominal muscles from working and soy is often a significant contributor. His exact words were, “Most of you are killing yourselves with soy.” Given that he was a man in his 40’s who looked like the epitome of health, had the energy of a child, and the timing of my increase soy intake and symptoms, I thought his claim warranted further investigation. What I learned through my research shocked me!! Not only did it shock me, I felt cheated and lied to by the government and the media. I feel it is my duty to pass on this information as it has greatly improved my health and the health of the families I work with in my practice. The following is a summary of some the most critical dangers and facts of soy:

1. Soy contains enzyme inhibitors that block action of trypsin. Trypsin is required for protein digestion. In test animals, diets high in trypsin inhibits led to stunted growth and pancreatic disorders.
2. Phytic acid in soy foods results in reduced bioavailability of iron, magnesium, calcium, and zinc – which are required for health and development of the brain and nervous system. The phytic acid also causes digestive distress. Say goodbye to those flat abs! Soy is also deficient in cholesterol, which is critical for establishing normal hormonal pathways and the development of the brain and nervous system of developing infants. Mother’s milk is 55% cholesterol.
3. Soy contains high levels of phytoestrogens (plant estrogens), which can artificially lower or raise estrogen in the body. A lot of menopausal women are being told to consume soy to reduce hot flashes, however since we are all biochemically different there is no way to tell if it will lower or raise one’s estrogen. Even when it does raise estrogen, high estrogen can lead to proliferation of breast cells which is a marker for breast cancer risk. Estrogen dominance is also a risk factor for fibroids, endometriosis, infertility, weight gain, depression, osteoporosis and decreased sex drive. If that weren’t enough phytoestrogens have also been linked to the current trend in increasingly premature sexual development in girls and delayed or retarded sexual development in boys.
4. Soy contains goitrogens which are substances that depress thyroid function. In infants, consumption of soy formula has been linked to autoimmune thyroid disease. Thyroid function tends go down with age so adding soy to the diet for a menopausal woman is a huge risk!
5. Soy processing is terrible for our environment. This is a tough one to swallow for a lot of vegetarians out there considering they tend to want to be environmentally friendly. The processing of soy results in hexane being release into the environment. The soy literally takes a bath in hexane in order to get what we need out of it to make soy protein isolates, soy meats, texturized soy protein, etc. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, hexane is an explosive, neurotoxic substance that is a byproduct of gasoline refinement and an enormous environmental pollutant. We have no idea of knowing how much hexane is in each product because the FDA does not require the companies to test their own products.
6. Soy contains high levels of aluminum, which are toxic to the nervous system and kidneys.
7. The human body cannot use the compound that resembles vitamin B12 in soy. Soy actually causes the body to require more B12.
8. Soy is one the highest food allergies and sensitivity foods.