Soy and Brain Damage

re: Soy and Brain Damage

davewom — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 11:59:35 GMT

To: Claire Bale

Research Communications Officer

Parkinson's Disease Society

I’ve read an article on Dr Mercola’s site which says that soya products can damage the brain and cause Parkinson’s Disease...Is there any reliable evidence for this?

'davewom'

Reply from Claire Bale:

...I read the article you found with great interest. But looking at the reference list, it seems to be based on some fairly old research (some sources are from the 60s). The author also seems to make some massive jumps from the original research papers, suggesting that soya products are linked with Parkinson's without having any research to back this up.

I searched for more recent research papers that discuss the effects of soya products, particularly with regard to Parkinson's. I was not able to find a single study that found a relationship between the chemicals in soya and developing Parkinson's. However I found three papers that may be of interest to you...

The first investigated the effects of a high daily dose of soy isoflavones (one of the chemicals mentioned in Dr MacArthur's article) on a group of postmenopausal women over 84 days. The researchers found no harmful effects from looking at blood samples and the dose was generally well tolerated.

The second paper published in 2005 reviewed research into soy isoflavones and cognitive function. They found that soy isoflavones actually have a positive effect on brain function which completely contradicts Dr MacArthur's article.

The final paper I found reviewed the impact of phytoestrogens (soy isoflavones) on the brain. They concluded that these chemicals could affect gene expression in the brain which may have an effect on behaviour.

At the moment there is simply not enough evidence available on the complex actions of isoflavones to fully understand their impact on the brain. In terms of Parkinson's, there is no scientific evidence to suggest a role for soya products in the development of the condition.

re: Soy and Brain Damage

davewom — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:41:32 GMT

I have Parkinson's. Maybe this is the explanation - or part of it.

I don't know whether to believe this or not. If it MIGHT BE true, I've just ordered a load of soy-based mayo substitute that will have to be thrown away.

About 1 or 2 years ago, The Vegan [UK] did an issue on soybeans, I might re-read it if I find it.

I'm not v happy about this 'Inner Circle' business, it sounds rather elitist. Surely this kind of info (if true) should be made available to all.

re: Soy and Brain Damage

truthdoc — Thu, 22 May 2008 17:35:55 GMT

COW MILK IS ALSO LINKED TO CANCER, MUCH HIGHER INCIDENCE. THE IGF-1 IN COW MILK IS 100 TIMES MORE POTENT TO INDUCE BREAST CANCER THAN SOY. SO EITHER WAY, WE ARE NOT SAFE. UNLESS DON'T DRINK MILK (SOY, COW) AT ALL.

PLUS, I DON'T THINK SOY IS AS DANGOUS AS WHAT'S CLAIMED BY DR. MERCOLA. IT'S DAIRY INDUSTRY

S GUNNER PUBLISHING THESE PAPERS. JUST CHECK THOSE SO CALLED "RESEARCHERS"'S CREDENTIAL, THEY ARE ALL LINKED TO DAIRY INDUSTRY.

MY DAUGHTER'S 6 YR OLD, BEEN DRINKING SILK ORGANIC SOY MILK FOR 4 YRS, SHE'S SMART AS HELL, BEST READER IN HER CLASS(SHE CAN READ MANY OF THE DR.SUSSE BOOKS BY HERSELF) . SO CAN'T REALLY AGREE SOY CAUSES BRAIN DAMAGE EITHER.

re: Soy and Brain Damage

Aluk — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 22:32:36 GMT

While living in California during my first marriage, we (i.e. our family) consumed tofu and other soy products on a steady basis. We endeavored to live a healthy life style. Yet, my dear wife got breast cancer. It eventually killed her. Not until now did I discover that there was a possible link between her early death (at age 44 yrs.) and our consumption of soy products. --- Since that time my intake of soy foods has been much less, but in the future it shall be ZERO. At present my health is better than I can remember it ever being; although, there is still room for improvement.