Why is Soy Bad for You – The Soy Problems
What’s bad about soy? Here, Doctor Mercola confirms what I discovered about a year ago. All of those soy alternatives that we vegetarians have long been consuming with the intention of better health are NOT healthy for us. Mercola blames the miscommunication of the true value of soy on the massive public relations done by the soy industry. However, the largely genetically modified crop can inhibit thyroid function, increase estrogen levels in babies using soy formula, and screw up our digestion.
Dangers of soy: The Negative Soy Side Effects
So the real question is: is soy bad for you? Soy is loaded with trypsin inhibitors that prevent proper protein digestion; goitrogen which inhibits thyroid function; phytic acid, a fiber that impairs absorption of minerals; and phytoestrogens which dangerously increase the estrogen hormone.
What Then? A Soy Alternative?
Fermented soy is best
Mercola, advocates the use of fermented organic soy which would include tempeh, natto and miso – but not tofu. Fermented foods offer predigested nutrition, which gives our intestinal track a big break. Fermenting food also manipulates the chemical make-up of the product, in order to turn potential poisons into viable nutrients.
What Foods Are Rich in Soy?
No more soy nuggets or soy corn dogs
My family and I have been guilty of consuming soy nuggets, soy protein powder, soy egg-nog around the holidays – not to mention the soy based vitamin E which is hidden in supplements like cod liver oil. Surprisingly enough, after going soy-free for about a year, I did have a reaction to a soy-based skin cream. We now use it sparingly, and seem to be okay with it.
I find raw almond or cashew milk to be a good alternative for making shakes or adding to coffee or tea.
Hidden sources of soy
- Oil used to fry packaged chips and crackers
- Commercial nut or hemp milks
- Packaged organic meals
What’s a Consumer to Do?
I figure that we can either feel dooped by the health food industry, or we can strap on our thinking caps and realize that every industry needs to profit. That profit may be at the expense of our health. All we can do is continue to educate ourselves. And, of course – READ LABELS
How Much Soy Do You Think was Consumed in Historical Asia?
Dr. Mercola has a report that may surprise you. It surprised me.
[image credit: j_boogie ]
This is definitely interesting information, thanks Gina. I’ve been consuming soy for 4 years now — soy milk, tofu, soy burgers, texurized soy protein (tsp)products, et al. And to be honest, I’ve never felt healthier. My immune system is like a rock and based upon my research of soy, which begun with people like John Robbins, author of “The Food Revolution” — soy is healthy (for my body). But like many foods there’s always two sides… so it’s great to learn more about soy from you.
Here are my 2 major probs with soy:
1. its so mass produced and genetically modified that we cannot be sure of its actual nutrition value or if our bodies can accept it.
2. soy based packaged foods are so overly processed (like burgers, cheese,) that our bodies don’t recognize them as food
3. when consuming soy milk, if organic and pure — you are stil consuming far more soy (think of how many beans it takes to make a whole pint of soy milk)
I say if its organic and non gmo then in moderation it probably won’t hurt someone with a strong constitution. But, in some ways, I see it like eating white rice…. one day it’ll creap up on you. There is a way to find out if its inhibiing your digestion or affecting you negatively — go have a colonic (if you dare :) )
they can find out so much about what our food does to us.
have you ever had tempeh? I haven’t, but I do like miso.
I used to be addicted to luna bars. Now I just make myown dehydrated snack bars and they are very good. So, there’s usually a tasty replacement for everything.
have a good weekend,
G
another note: although soy contains goitrogens (thyroid inhibitors) these can also inhibit cancer growth. hence, the idea that soy prevents cancer. you will find goitrogens in kale, cabbage, broccoli, caulifower, mustard greens, millet. If u have a weak thyroid you may either want to culture these veggies, cook them lightly or marinate them with enzymes overnight, to decrease the mal affects on the thyroid.
yeah i’ve had tempeh a few times — not a big fan of the taste, though. for now, i’m still in the corner of organic soy products, but my research will continue.
please do continue that research :)
The “Soy Industry” has applied for and received GRAS status (Generally recognized as safe) by the FDA which means it is not necessary to identify the soy in any product on its food label. So many foods may have soy in it and you would never know. Many people are becoming allergic to soy as well so it has now become a hidden danger to some people.
All you people are knocking soy and true it’s not good to consume one thing as your main source of protein but listen..where is the average person getting their protein from? Animal flesh of course. Now you’re going to tell me thats better? Safer? Stop over analyzing everything and take it for what it’s worth. It’s the dairy/cattle industry thats giving soy a bad rap. You can dig up and find negativity on anything in life if you try hard enough.
The soy industry is bigger than the dairy/cattle industry and its propaganda more widespread.
And yes, animal protein is far better — and safer — both for human health and the environment than soy. What’s so hard to believe about that?
Igor´s last blog ..The Take Charge Beauty Book
So true John. It’s the evil dairy industry that gives soy a bad rap and people actually believe them. They will do anything to get people to drink their cruel dairy.
I, too, have been researching soy, because both my husband and I have an intolerance to milk … plus milk is proven to be rather unhealthy for people (creates a slime and creates a very acidic environment in the body).
What I can contribute from my research is that fermented soy is safe … that is, natto, tempeh, or miso. Natto can be taken in capsules at 100 mg per day for the benefits. However, that doesn’t solve my problem for a dairy substitute. I’ve tried almond milk and rice milk on my cereal (ick). Liquid Coffee Mate works, but that is full of corn syrup which is a whole different subject of why corn syrup is bad.
I figure if we follow what the Japanese have routinely consumed for the last 1,000 years without ill affects, we’ll be o.k. I know that natural natto as a food is highly consumed. As far as the regular soy products, it is probably true that overconsuming it isn’t a good idea.
Hope at least a little of this helps.
I have been eating soy as an alternative to meat for several years now. Occassionally, I feel nauseous and have been getting digestive problems. I am healthy and fit and have never had trouble like this before – I really believe its the soy causing this. My son who eats soy on regular basis has also lately complained of the same type of feeling I have been getting, it seems to be worse after eating soy burgers. I have decided to cut soy out of our diet and see how it goes.
Yes, eating soy can make you very sick. I was vegetarian for 17 years and this effect gradually built up. If I eat a little soy now, I’m seriously sick for one day.
The stuff is nasty. Notice when you feel bad and then look for the ingredients you just ate. Look for lecitin or soy oil or powder.
So what are we to believe anymore? The meat and dairy folks scream soy is bad for you, the meatless folks tell us meat and dairy is bad for you! what makes me think either one is not out for my money? Everyone wants our money, soy wants it, milk wants it. so how does one research any product without it being biased? No wonder I eat most things only once in awhile, I’m tired of trying to figure out who is lying about what. I prefer non soy foods anyway and I don’t eat meat!
Exactly, Nancy! You need to do what “you” feel is good for you – nobody else. Well said.
For the people that think dairy is bad. Yes, pasteurized milk is very bad for you, but raw milk isn’t. People drank raw milk for centuries before the govt stepped in back in the early 1900’s and required dairy to be pastuerized. We’ve been fed a bunch of lies from the govt b/c it’s all about money. Consumers are the ones that control our bank accounts and we have the power to stop buying certain products. When we stop buying, manufacturers will start taking notice. Soy is very bad for you and 80% of soy is now genetically modifided. All you have to do is read up on some of things to become knowledgeable about what’s really happening. We need to wake up so that this doesn’t continue to affect our kids. Think of how many kids have allergies to soy, wheat, corn. How many kids have gotten autism b/c people thought it was from the mercury in vaccinations. How about the mercury that’s in high fructose corn syrup. HFCS is in most processed foods that are kids eat both at home and at school. How about the alarming rates of ADD and ADHD in our kids now. ADD and ADHD can be corrected by the foods our kids eat. Genetically modifided soy, corn, byproducts of soy and corn, canola oil, cottonseed oil, is in many of our foods now. The school lunches our kids eat are loaded with GMO foods. The FDA does not regulate or require labeling of GMO foods here in the USA. Many countries in the world have banned GMO foods b/c of the terrible side effects from eating these foods. We as consumers need to do our part here in the US, and demand the FDA require labeling of GMO foods and foods that are non-GMO. We need to do our part in not buying foods that are GMO, but buy foods that are organic. Support your local organic farmers. This is serious stuff people. Our kids are suffering from these foods as well as us adults, and we need to step up and start doing something about it.
BTW…the Asians have NEVER eaten soy the way we do in this country. Do some research on that and ask people that live over there and you will find out the truth. The FDA has even labeled all soy plants as poisonous, but b/c it’s a cheap alternative…it’s still used in most of our packaged foods.
one other thing…the reason so many people are lactose intolerant and can’t drink cow’s milk is b/c u are drinking “dead” milk. When milk is homogenized and pasteurized, all the good enzymes that your body needs to digest it is killed off. When you drink raw milk, you are drinking “live” milk. All the good enzymes are still there. Any body that is lactose intolerant and drinks raw milk will be cured b/c of the digestive enzymes. Raw milk is an amazing whole food. It keeps you from getting sick and it also helps cure many problems within the body. Read up on it..you will be surprised.
I am sure you are right. But theres reason behind pasteurizing foods. ‘Pasteurizing’ might sound a bit clinic, but it just comes down to heating the foods so potential bacteri, vira and bugs are killed. Unpasteurized foods might give you Listeria, and a whole array of deadly or cruel diseases. I just wanted to point that out.
For the confused: nothing beats a good education in science. If you give that a little more attention, you will be well of, in regards to see through all the media-stuff on foods etc. But we all needs to educate ourselves through all our lives, even scientists.
ok bye bye :-)
We are the only species that consume milk after infancy. We do not need milk after this period hence why our brests stop producing it. To drink cow’s milk is utterly unnatural and it supports a sick barbaric industry that deprives the cows and their offspring from their basic needs, and please do not be fooled by their Organic free range standards. Cows will have to be continuously reproducing, most of the time artificially which in my point of you qualifies for rape. Milk is for babies and Cow’ milk is designed for calves to grow fast and strong in a short period of time so saturated with hormones which are harmful to us. Not to mention the billions of pus and blood cells that are found in milk due to factory farming these loving beings.
I would go for Raw almond milk or any alternative that is soy and gluten free. We ned to not to exploit our fellow earthlings.
I agree completely! We were not meant to consume milk after infancy. The reason many adults become lactose intolerant is because our bodies are not producing the lactase, enzyme necessary to break down the lactose in dairy products. We needed the enzyme as infants to help us digest our mother’s milk. We don’t need it now because we no longer require milk and shouldn’t be consuming it.
It’s just another way we are being manipulated by the multi-billion dollar food industry. The bottom line is these products are about making money, not about our health.
“To drink cow’s milk is utterly unnatural…”
Unnatural as compared to what? Eating textured soy protein?
The reason we’re the only species to drink milk into adulthood is because we’re the only species that breeds animals in order to eat them.
If you want to get right down to it, there’s nothing “natural” about agriculture. The only diet that would really be “natural” would be one of wild fruit and raw meat.
Igor´s last blog ..The Take Charge Beauty Book
Interesting new information about soy. I had always thought that it’s quite healthy, but I guess as David said there are two sides to most foods. Where can we find fermented soy products?
Try hemp milk! NO SOY!
gracie
February 26th, 2009 at 8:25 am
BTW…the Asians have NEVER eaten soy the way we do in this country. Do some research on that and ask people that live over there and you will find out the truth.
I find this very funny but true. I myself am Asian and have eaten soy products all my life, it is an essential ingredient in my diet. Maybe the problem is that in America, everything is so processed that you essentially lose all nutritional value. I for one have never eaten a soy burger or drank soy milk from the grocery store. I make my own soy drink which is much healthier and surprisingly easy to do. Also as a note to others whom have supplemented soy into their diet, MODERATION!! I have been on a vegetarian diet before and have discovered endless dishes, you are not limited in what you eat.
Would rice milk be a better substitute than soymilk? I’m not sure I know any grocers in the area that would provide almond/cashew milk. Thanks!
SOY milk being a health alternative is the biggest CON on the market.
Not only it’s the most genetically modified of all plants, but it contains phyto chemicals that mimic estrogen hormones and may overload your system if you are not a menopausal woman.
These hormones cause cellulite on your legs and buttocks. Ever wonder why men don’t really suffer from cellulite? Well it’s because they produce very little if at all female hormones. It has nothing to do with being fat, as men get fat too. (fat of course make cellulite look worse)
So, if you want cellulite and tender sore breasts, eat SOY !!!
I know that, as I experienced it first hand when I developed a taste for soy milkshakes. Within a week of drinking the stuff, I had all of the above symptoms,and I never had them before. When I stopped drinking it, it all went away.
I tried it several times just to be sure, and everytime my suspicion was confirmed.
So do yourself a favour and ditch the Soy.
Great article. My mom eats this stuff all the time. I sent her a link to it.
Hi Gina,
I have been eating soy as a meat alternative. I am very physically active and I’m concerned about my amino acid intake. Do you have any suggestions as to an alternative to soy?
It’s like Jack Lalanne says: “If man makes it, don’t eat it!”
So we’re all “dooped”, eh? I wonder what that means. You don’t think that maybe, instead, we might be “duped”? Nah, couldn’t be that.
I’m not sure which is more bogus: the spelling on the site or the content.
Yes, soy is overrated. Using purely soy to make up most of one’s diet is very bad. Do you know how soy milk that’s sold in stores is really made? I’m sure most of you would lose your taste for it. Besides, soy production is starting to level with the amount of problems that meat production has- (like depletion of the Amazon rainforest- YES! They’re making room for soy there too!) So please, put the soy to rest. It would make a nice sunday night dinner, but not every night’s dinner.
“Any body that is lactose intolerant and drinks raw milk will be cured b/c of the digestive enzymes”
That’s not true, being lactose intolerant is normal, humans as well as any other milk drinking
mammal loses it’s ability to digest lactose in childhood. This is normal because your not supposed
to be breast fed when your an adult! It’s child rearing food!
The only reason Europeans are Lactose tolerant which is an abnormality in the animal kingdom, is
thanks to European farmers thousands of years ago drinking cows milk.
The human biology evolved to support that, however we are not designed to be consuming cows
milk, it’s for cows not humans. It’s quite obvious really.
Your digestive system was evolved from foods naturally occurring in the world that your ancestors
over millions of years ate, cow’s milk was not one of them.
You can choose to eat what your biology has evolved to digest and live a long healthy life, or you can eat things your body is not evolved to digesting and live a shorter and possibly heath troubled life.
Up to you!
If you’re not going to consume dairy products, then your only real alternative for getting the minerals your body needs are bone broths. You can bet that’s where our ancient ancestors got them from.
Igor´s last blog ..The Take Charge Beauty Book