Why Soy Is NOT the Health Food You Think it Is

re: Why Soy Is NOT the Health Food You Think it Is

davewom — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 12:13:03 GMT

To Claire Bale

Research Comms Officer

Parkinson's Disease Soc [UK]

...An article on Dr Mercola’s site [Soy and Brain Damage, by John D. MacArthur] says that soya products can damage the brain and cause Parkinson’s Disease...Is there 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...

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: Why Soy Is NOT the Health Food You Think it Is

Lenette — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 03:07:09 GMT

I would like to mention to HEALTHCOACHSANDRA that its totally untrue that people are eating and drinking Soy and do not like it. I have enjoyed it for many, mny years and not because I have been told to.I have been eating soy and drinking soy milk for many, many years. I am also a health a nutrition consultant/distributor for SHAKLEE CORPORATION and I am so glad that the Shaklee Soy is RAW and 100% organic

as are ALL the SHAKLEE products. If you want products that are effective and that work that have been clinically studied and researched I suggest to try the Shaklee products. Many doctors, hospitals, nutritionists, dermatologists, professional athletes, NASA and OPRAh endores SHAKLEE products highly and Shaklee is also in the hands of many doctors and hospitals now in third world countries and is a #1 leader in healthcare and nutrition that is making a big difference globally. For more information on the SHAKLEE Soy Protein, Sports Drinks and other great products please contact me : Lenette2064@yahoo.com

re: Why Soy Is NOT the Health Food You Think it Is

tjg — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 12:56:19 GMT

Did you know soy products are mixed with lots of chemicals and contribute to long lasting sickness? Many people who are consuming a unprecedented amounts of soy products do have many health issues. They will be surprised to learn that perhaps about 80 percent or more soy product, is also highly acidic and genetically modified .

This is not good and can be a contributing factor to ailments, such as:

Premature aging

Diabetes

Cancer

Clogged colon,

Some of the other areas include arthritis, chronic fatigue, leg cramps, migraines, diabetes. Also heartburn, poor circulation, gout, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, hypertension, asthma, skin rashes, dermatitis, psoriasis, obesity, weight issues, diarrhea, indigestion, heart disease, allergies, constipation,stomach ulcers, hepatitis, cancer, and many more areas.

DEATH BEGINS IN THE COLON - America is #1 for Colon Cancer and Diseases!

- http://tinyurl.com/38c4by

re: Why Soy Is NOT the Health Food You Think it Is

DoctorLiam — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 17:02:26 GMT

I've noticed that many of these comments, although using different user names, have been written by the same person; the linguistic style is far too similar. Probably the author trying to sell books by having supposedly neutral people write things that cannot be backed up in any way. It is a common practice, and the reader should be cautioned about the material presented here.

re: Why Soy Is NOT the Health Food You Think it Is

RKings — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 15:04:11 GMT

This was enlightening and warrants further investigation, since I have been on a whole non-gm Soy-based balanced nutritional supplement since 2004. The results that many, including myself, have experienced with this highly credible organizations products are undeniable, however, I need to know if I am subjecting myself to long term negative consequences. This information is going to motivate me to look into this further.

re: Why Soy Is NOT the Health Food You Think it Is

spysgrandson — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 02:12:33 GMT

WillTrekkie

My thesis focused on food additives and sugar as they relate to behavior of children (and some adults) and, as is the case with many thoroughly researched documents, results were either inconclusive or mixed. Also, keep in mind it was 1985 and many new things have come on the scene since then. Like you, I still have an interest, but am no expert. I do know that there are foods and supplements that seem to help psychological functioning and those that seem to interfere with optimum psychological health. The specifics would be contingent on the indiivdual and the many other variables impinging upon him or the situation being discussed.

re: Why Soy Is NOT the Health Food You Think it Is

feel_good_today — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 01:33:00 GMT

I purchased a health reference book from

How to Prevent and Reverse Prostate Cancer BY MIKE ADAMS

The Health Ranger

www.truthpublishing.com/.../yprint-cat21245.htm

This is scary-I am going to have to lean towards Dr. Mercola

my husband has prostate cancer we we are eating/living by Dr. Mercolas suggestions

hubby hasn't had a soy product since Febr.

Adams #1 positive ways to cure prostate cancer

QUOTE:

How to slash your prostate cancer starting today

What if I told you there’s one food group that can reduce your risk of prostate cancer by 70% all by itself?

What if there were another food group that could reduce your risk by 45%? What if there was yet a third

group that could reduce your risk by 39%? And a fat-soluble vitamin that can reduce it by 32%? And a mineral

that can reduce it by 63%? Plus there’s the effect of sunlight and vitamin D, which hasn’t even been

figured into any of those statistics. What if I shared all of that with you? Would that be interesting? Let’s take

a closer look:

The first food group here that reduces your risk of prostate cancer by 70% is soy. Yes, it’s true. Soy products:

soy milk, soy beans, fermented soy, tofu, etc. If you consume soy products on a regular basis (one

serving a day), your risk of prostate cancer is slashed by 70%.

re: Why Soy Is NOT the Health Food You Think it Is

archidad — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 22:32:05 GMT

If soy is so BAD for us, why do you include it in your products?

"Mercola Premium Select - 100% Pure & Natural UBIQUINOL"

Other Ingredients: ...Organic SOYBEAN OIL,...SOY LECITHIN,...

re: Why Soy Is NOT the Health Food You Think it Is

WillTrekkie — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 18:33:41 GMT

Spysgrandson,

I'd like to hear more from U about the Nutrition - Behavior connection. That has been my overriding concern/theory/fear since I started down the path of doing research in order to reclaim my health/energy/life/mind & get off Rx drugs/out of pain/fatigue (all 1 yr ago after I crashed w/a myriad of health problems &couldn't get out of bed for >4 mos) when I began by reading Trudeau's Natural Cures They Don't Want You to KNow About & More Natural Cures, went from there following his lists of cited sources (books/articles/websites), then to the library/Amazon/Books-A-Million, & many websites-many not unlike this. ***I read an interesting health newsletter a few months ago, titled "Depression is Not a Drug Deficiency," -the integrative Dr./author cites studies where prison inmates were put on Omega-3 high diets & supplements: violent incidents dropped >30%, & where ADD/ODD/ADHD kids (& adults) suffered less & less depression, anxiety, mood swings, bad temperament + gained improved memory, concentration, behavior, happiness, joy,&peace in their lives --ALL BECAUSE THE SERATONIN IN THEIR NEUROLOGICAL SYSTEM COULD 'DOCK' PROPERLY W/ RECEPTORS ON THE CELL MEMBRANES WHICH WERE INCREASINGLY MADE UP OF OMEGA-3's(THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF CHOLESTEROL) --AND NOT OMEGA-6 (hi in USA foods), & he cited a comparisons of the Japanese brain (high in Omega-3's) vs. American brain (high in Omega-6's) where as well all know, here in USA- rates of murder, suicide, depression, anxiety, insomnia, obesity, heart disease, etc. are epidemic (more than 1% of the population incarcerated (locked up in jail) on any given day. ** Incidentally, the Japanese also have something called Kangen ('return to source' I beleive it means--U can Ask.com that) water--there are no chemical additives, toxins, and the minerals are retained (See Waterfilters.com & ShowerFilters.com)-- & we know minerals are alkalizing to the body=no Disease! Nutrient Def + Toxins = gland & receptor dysfunction = gigo.

re: Why Soy Is NOT the Health Food You Think it Is

madeinjapan — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 18:12:07 GMT

ahhhh. As much as I'd like to not believe that soy is causing damage to my body, denying it would make me one of those silly vegetarians with paper thin morals who have made their switch to a veg diet based on an increasing cultural trend. I have been a vegetarian for 3 years( I'm 18) and I have what I consider a healthy diet of greens, carbs and protein..with the odd teenage slip of junkfood. I've hated meat all my life, and when I was old enough to start making real choices in my life, I became aware of the meat machine, the environmental hazards and animal rights violations..the dairy industry being no exception. I'm aware that organic farming is out there, but I dont WANT to eat meat. Soy has been a staple in my diet, I have soy milk in my cereal, I eat veggie burgers or some sort of simulated meat at least once a day. It's extremely frustrating to find out that this cannot be my alternative, as it has finally become very accesible and there are a wide range of products. It's also frusterating how there is so much evil behind the soy industry and its causing environmental and social damage in the world. What ever does a little vegetarian do?

re: Why Soy Is NOT the Health Food You Think it Is

Rett — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 16:29:47 GMT

In my later years, I've come to realize we are individuals by what we "choose" to believe and heaven help us if we try to change anybody's mind about anything. I can share stuff I've come to believe with my husband or children or friends or even my mother and because I don't have an arm load of degrees, they see me as an idiot. A fanatic. Someone to silence or placate or condescend to. Mostly I get, "Oh, I don't believe that. It would not be so available if that we true". And guess what. Soybean oil or soy protein is in everything that is touted to be "healthier". Hellmann's Mayonaise prides itself for being "real". It's not real. It has soybean oil in it, since 1950. It never was real but marketing allows the claims because the powers that be are allowed terrific riches when the masses believe their marketing stradegies. The idea that soybeans come from the ground makes them a "natural" source and how do we convince people this is just not so. I gave my little girl Infamile with iron by her pediatritian's orders. I was breast feeding her. She was a preemi by five weeks. He decided I should give her this Infamile w/iron as a supplement meal to help her gain weight. Was this Infamile a soy based formula? Is this why my baby girl now at 41 years developed really large breasts after she turned 13? I can't remember what formula our son was put on. I wanted to breast feed him, too, but for reasons I can't go into, I didn't. I refuse to cave from the information about soy but people can be so stuck with the notion that agencies (FDA,CDC,etc) know what's best for us. They don't seem to mind being lab rats for big pharma and the processed food industry or whatever. Even our government allows big pharma to use our men and women in the military to "test" the latest vaccine discovery. And we wonder why they come home to us with all sorts of medical issues. DAAAA! I would be curious to know how much soy they get in mess halls around the world. :)

re: Why Soy Is NOT the Health Food You Think it Is

boa — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 10:54:31 GMT

I wish apples could indeed not be compared with oranges. Bad apples need not represent all apples. Too many bad apples are paraded like politicians being ridiculed. We should not blame externalities in case we are vulnerable to many modern vectors of illness. I'll simply add my two very small cents. I have eaten generally organic tofu and soy beans for 30 plus years and as perhaps 50 percent of my protein sources, (other beans, and dairy adding up to 99 percent off my protein). I only ate 1 percent meat, only to honor hosts and my mother's cooking. Thanks to mom, i consumed lots of soy sauce starting at age 5 or so (although my dad called it bug juice). I suffer none of these--

• Thyroid problems, including weight gain, lethargy, malaise, fatigue, hair loss, and loss of libido• Premature puberty and other developmental problems in babies, children and adolescents• Cancer• Brain damage• Reproductive disorders• Soy allergies

No symptoms what so every and i'm almost 60 years old. In fact last year i was severely injured at work, hit in the head by a 20 ton excavator machine. Fractured skull, blood on the brain, concussion, loss of vision, balance and the worst head aches imaginable....( No love at the hospital, got out of there fast, cured myself on organic protocols only, once i remembered that blood drains downward ;-) Health issues will not be solved so easily in a complex modern world, where fish are being depleted and the worst toxins are proliferated by profiteers. I'm very healthy and thank truth seekers in this subject, like Gary Null and many before and many besides him. I struggled my whole life to inform myself and without some absobtion of truth, i would be nearly cripple by now. Instead i work long hard hours at common labor, with more long hard hours at study. May we move onward and forward, to the extent that our modern world may yet evolve to a higher civilization, free of wars and desease as commonplace industires.

Bo Atkinson in the USA

re: Why Soy Is NOT the Health Food You Think it Is

bablondie — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 07:47:32 GMT

The Asians I know never eat soy, they eat a lot of fish, a little bit of rice. I can't have rice, it goes right to my waist and raises my blood sugar and makes me tired...but they eat it in such small amounts that I suppose it is okay. Soy is in everything, so we most likely get an overload of it, the GMO (Genetically Modified) kinds, that are not healthy and very overly processed in our breads, prepared foods, they're in our sauces, dressings, meats, I call it being "soybotaged" when I accidentally eat something with soy in it. Like for instance, in my Trader Joe's gluten-free waffles the other day...yikes! I think that it's used as a cheap filler in everything from candle waxes, shampoos, lotions and our food. Why is it in food replacement bars, and all the low carb stuff and so on...well 1 because they're making a lot of money off it and 2 it's CHEAP to buy and fill up the food with,,,and in return they can slap the label on that it's "low carb" or "low fat" or "healthy". Anything that messes with hormones when it shouldn't, should be avoided. I WISH TO GOD that someone would have told me this stuff in my early twenties before I ate it for years and got severely ill and overweight and hypothyroid. I am positive I would've avoided all that, being a fit, healthy, athletic and very conscientious person about my health/weight. But over and over again was told, stock up on the soy, it's better for you than milk, make tofu stir fries, it keeps you trim, it's heart-healthy and so on. I am soooo mad at the propaganda back in the 90's telling me that. I'm mad I hurt my health when I was told it was a good thing. If it makes even one person just question it the next time: good...I hope NO ONE has to go through the health heck I've been through over eating soy. At one point I developed asthma even over it and had no idea what the cause was (of course now I do, and now I have no asthma).

re: Why Soy Is NOT the Health Food You Think it Is

bablondie — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 07:36:30 GMT

I AGREE whole-heartedly about the DANGERS of soy only because I have suffered repurcussions of eating soy in my past. I probably was pre-hypothyroid and have always had to workout and the docs said "eat low fat" and lots of soy b/c it's low fat so I did this for years to keep myself trim and "healthy" or so I thought and then I got sicker and sicker and until I was like a 100-year old woman in my early twenties! Now I'm 32 and totally healthy, on thyroid meds and soy-free. I did an experiment with my Naturalpathic Doc w/ soy & the effects on my thyroid & I ate a vegetarian diet for 2 mos., lost 6 lbs but tested my thyroid and it was so hypothyroid it was off the charts & they would almost not give me tonsil surgery because of it. After seeing it on paper, I stayed away. I always liked the taste of soy and soy milk and wouldn't feel the effects that day or next day or week or month, it takes months for it to SLOWLY shut down my thyroid and then, say I'll wonder why I have a bit drier skin when I've never been dry in my life, or gee, why is my hair shedding, I've never shed hair before..and I would dismiss it. Or why did I gain 10 lbs I just worked out 5x a week for an hour, I eat under 20 grams of fat a day and so on....I think soy did irreversible damage to myself..I'm hoping I can reverse it, but my thyroid will forever be messed up unless a miracle happens & I still deal with the weight and symptoms leftover from it all. Overall now I'm super healthy...I eat organic, I eat antibiotic-free meats, I don't eat wheat or milk (only b/c I have an intolerance to it), I take & eat omegas & plenty of organic supplements & now I rarely ever get sick. Plus I work out and avoid fluoride & use air filters, all the things I'm supposed to be doing. But NOW when docs and magazine articles say to do something...I research the heck out of it before I try it because I just don't want to ever damage my health again! Btw, I know a lot of Asians with health issues like the rest of us.

re: Why Soy Is NOT the Health Food You Think it Is

cocoy777 — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 05:44:37 GMT

MY OWN ANALYSIS OF THE TWO SIDES IN THIS SOY CONTROVERSY IS LEADING ME TO THE FOLLOWING CONCLUSION: CHEMICALS, GENETIC ENGINEERING (PLAYING GOD, ALTERING WHAT GOD HAS CREATED AND SO WISELY ARRANGED AT SUB-ATOMIC LEVELS) AND MODERATION AS WELL AS DR EARL MINDELL'S "YOU SHALL NOT LIVE BY SOY ALONE" ARE FACTORS THAT AFFECT THE GOODNESS OR THE HARMFULNESS OF SOY.

OK, WAIT A MINUTE. THERE'S STILL ONE FACTOR: ALSO THE PROFIT MOTIVE THAT DOWNTREADS THE LAW "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR (E.G. CUSTOMERS) AS YOUR SELF."

TIME IS COMING WE RAISE OUR HANDS IN TOTAL SURRENDER AND TELL GOD: OK, YOUR WAY ALONE IS GOOD, WISE, SAFE AND LOVING.

THAT WILL INCLUDED THE MISGUIDED CHEMISTS!