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On the one hand,
As little as 30mg of soy isoflavones--the amount in 5-8 ounces of soy milk - have been proven to suppress thyroid function. "The isoflavones in soy act like a hormone in the body. And in many women, especially those who eat large amounts of concentrated soy powder or take isoflavone supplments, this disturbs the body's hormonal balance, triggering or worsening thyroid problems," explains Dr. Larian Gillespie - from Soy Online Service.
It [soy] contains high quantities of various toxic chemicals, which cannot be fully destroyed even by the long cooking process. These are: phytates, which block the body's uptake of minerals; enzyme inhibitors, which hinder protein digestion; and haemaggluttin, which causes red blood cells to clump together and inhibits oxygen take-up and growth. Most controversially of all, soy contains high levels of the phytoestrogens (also known as isoflavones) genistein and daidzein, which mimic and sometimes block the hormone oestrogen - from Soybean Crisis.
And on the weirder side of things,
Prion disease transfer via animal-to-animal is much less common than direct organophosphate exposure. This puts vegetarians at risk for contracting a prion disease from foods treated with organophosphate pesticides and/or herbicides. Of particular interest are soy products, specifically Roundup-Ready soybeans - from Vegans and other vegetarians at high risk for prion diseases.
You can find more anti-soy propoganda here and here.
With strong scientific evidence showing that soy isoflavones can help prevent breast, endometrial, and prostate cancer, as well as protect both men and women against heart disease, physicians should not hesitate to educate their patients on the need to incorporate soy in their diets. Soy isoflavones not only protect against the two most common and deadly killers in America today, but clinical research suggests that they also may protect against diabetes and obesity - from Soy & Cancer Prevention.
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Protect against obesity? That seems a bit spurious, actually. Sure, I might get few calories from soy versus dairy, but I'll still be a fat-ass if I'm always gorging on soy ice cream smothered in chocolate sauce, cherries, nuts, Smarties, gummi bears, and Dream Whip. Obesity takes a bit more to remove than a switch-over to beans.
Once I've finished up the soy milk in my fridge, I'm not going to buy any more. I think I'll go back to goat's milk.
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no subject
Date: 2004-11-01 05:03 pm (UTC)From:I remember reading something against soy about a year ago, but I didn't think much of it. Then I came across these links serendipitously today, and it's made me rethink it all.
Cows' milk makes my throat all mucousy (although I still use it in my tea), but I don't recall goats' milk doing the same thing. It's also much lower (if not completely lacking--I don't quite remember) lactic acid, so it's easier on the guts. I also think it would be significantly lower in added hormones, because I don't think the local goat dairy farms do that sort of thing.
I miss my goats. Someday, I'll have a flock of them again.
OTOH...
Date: 2004-11-01 05:11 pm (UTC)From:Personally, I've always felt the anti-soy literature is a little misleading. Maybe those with a history of thyroid problem should limit their soy consumption, but otherwise, the benefits far outweigh any risks. Ignoring possible diabetes/obesity benefits, soy's anti-cancer properties alone make it a worthwhile food source.
You introduced me to "Skeptical Inquirer" - so be one! Check out some non-partisan sources, like PubMed or the FDA website. I think you'll find the pro-soy arguments significantly more convincing.
Re: OTOH...
Date: 2004-11-01 05:48 pm (UTC)From:I see all sorts of hysterical writings about pretty much any food/medicine, and it does get pretty confusing. Maybe I should become a breatharian. I hear light is quite tasty, and low in calories....
I don't have any known thyroid problems, but it does seem to run in my family. One of my friends is vegetarian, lactose intolerant, and experiencing thyroid problems. She consumes a lot of soy. Is it possible this combination is part of what is making her so ill?
Are soy beans better protein sources than lima beans or almonds?
I checked out the abstracts at Pubmed, and didn't really see much that was relevant (maybe I'm not searching it properly). There does appear to be a correlation between breast size and soy vs. dairy, though. I wonder what happened to me. With all the dairy I consumed, I should have pendulous knockers.
I found more information at the FDA. Although soy seems to be generally viewed as beneficial, I do see caution advised for babies ("infants consuming soy formula had five to 10 times higher levels of isoflavones in their blood serum than women receiving soy supplements who show menstrual cycle disturbances. He says these levels may cause toxicological effects" (Soy: Health Claims for Soy Protein, Questions About Other Components). The same article also says,
"isoflavones are phytoestrogens, a weak form of estrogen that could have a drug-like effect in the body. This may be pronounced in postmenopausal women, and some studies suggest that high isoflavone levels might increase the risk of cancer, particularly breast cancer. Research data, however, are far from conclusive, and some studies show just the opposite--that under some conditions, soy may help prevent breast cancer. It is this scientific conundrum, where evidence simultaneously points to benefits and possible risks, that is causing some researchers to urge caution."
This listing from the FDA also discusses all the scary cancerific joys of soy, at the same time that this article talks about how soy reduces the risk of coronary heart disease and this listing talks about how it prevents cancer.
This makes the issue all the more confusing. Soy may prevent cancer. It may also cause it. You might get cancer, but at least your heart will be unclogged. Human sacrifice, butter and margarine living together... mass hysteria!
no subject
Date: 2004-11-01 06:29 pm (UTC)From:Dunno how it would effect those not similarly afflicted, however.
I have just one thing to say...
Date: 2004-11-01 06:37 pm (UTC)From:Re: I have just one thing to say...
Date: 2004-11-01 08:05 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2004-11-01 08:54 pm (UTC)From:In healthy people, soy does not carry the slightest risk of thyroid problems unless you're iodine deficient. I eat tons of soy and soymilk, but i'm slightly hyperthyroid (I produce too much) because I eat a ton of iodized salt. Salt-fiend.
Also, Asian countries that consume a lot of soy do not have a higher incidence of goiter troubles than Western nations.
Certain other foods (er, like broccoli, I think) have the same slight possibility of thyroid-interferance as soy, but again, this is only a slight risk if you never get iodine.
The body is a complicated chemical system. A lot of vitamins and minerals interfere with the absorption of others, or assist each other in absorption.
Even people with hypothyroid issues can eat soy, it's just recommended that they leave a several hour gap between eating soy and taking their thyroid medication.
no subject
Date: 2004-11-01 09:02 pm (UTC)From:http://www.llu.edu/llu/vegetarian/soy2.html
no subject
Date: 2004-11-02 02:01 pm (UTC)From: