Let’s talk about soy. I know I’ve talked about it before, but wow, this is such a total LHBI (looks healthy but isn’t). It doesn’t deserve it’s mythical status, and a little more bad mouthing is totally appropriate:)
A couple decades ago, when the soy dream hit this country big time, we were all jumping on the band wagion, right? After all, Asians ate it, and they didn’t have menopause! It must be a miracle food!
The scientific evidence against soy has been piling up ever since, but somehow, the word doesn’t get out too well.
Here’s the word:
Soy is disastrous for your hormones and your gut.
Here’s some details:
-female babies fed soy milk have higher rates of harm to their reproductive systems thanks to the soy phytoestrogen, genisin
(btw, a phytoestrogen is a plant substance that mimics estrogen in our body)
-studies show that testosterone decreases in men who consume soy
-soy accelerates puberty in girls
-soy isoflavones genistein and diadzein stimulate existing breast cancer cells (cells that you don’t always know you have)
-studies show that just 2 tbsp of soy a day, in healthy individuals with ADEQUATE iodine intake, slows thyroid function
(soy is definitely “goitrogenic”, which means it interferes with iodine use by the thyroid gland)
-soy contains Protease Inhibitors. This is big. Protease is an enzyme that digests protein. Our pancreas excretes it into our duodenum/first part of small intestines, and it’s a major step in our digestion. So the protein in soy, and any other protein you eat along with the soy, is rendered largely unusable. The Protease Inhibitors inhibit the breakdown of all sources of protein. Talk about gut disrupting. And nutrient depleting. We need protein, it’s our number 2 building block after water.
Then there’s the problem of undigested soy, and other proteins, continuing south through the digestive system – undigested. Instead of having been broken down into little, usable, amino acids, they’re too big to filter thru the intestine wall into the bloodstream. Destruction follows as the big proteins bust thru the wall, and cause…… Leaky Gut. Big problem, and far more common than you could imagine.
There’s more: soy also contains high amounts – more than any other grain – of Phytic Acid. Phytic acid prevents the absorption of minerals in the gut/use by our bodies. Which minerals? Calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc. Oh, guys, zinc is used to make testosterone – let that be another nail in soy’s coffin. To all of us, zinc’s important to immune function, collagen production, and the brain and nervous system.
All these minerals are vital, and deficiency is rampant. With soy being used in about 60% of all processed foods, you can see where this is a big problem.
How does China get away with it? They eat fermented soy. The fermentation process breaks down the phytic acids and protease inhibitors. Americans don’t eat much miso or temph or natto, (traditional, fermented soy preparations). Americans eat tofu, soy milk, soy protein isolate, soy protein concentrate, and other highly industrialized and processed forms of soy.
Still not convinced? Here’s a very detailed article by Dr. Mercola called Why you Should Avoid Soy.
More reasons to Read Your Labels!! It matters what we put in our bodies! The food we eat affects our mood, our health, and our weight. Eat Real Whole Foods.