Website design By BotEap.comIn the vast sea of processed foods, soy is found as an ingredient in many foods. Are we better off with him or without him? And is soy really that dangerous?
Website design By BotEap.comSoybeans have been around for centuries and centuries. It is known as shoyu in Japan, and later adapted to the word “soy” that we use today.
Website design By BotEap.comBefore it was a food source, the soybean crop was revered in Asia and used to fix nitrogen in the soil when crops were rotated.
Website design By BotEap.comSoybeans were not eaten until the Chou dynasty, when fermentation techniques were discovered. It was made into foods like miso, natto, and soy sauce. Historically, the Chinese did not eat much unfermented soybeans. Even today, unfermented soy is not a big mainstay of the Asian diet and is often eaten with meat and fish broths, helping to counteract the harmful effects of soy on the body.
Website design By BotEap.comAfter the early 20th century, soybeans became a major crop in the United States. However, it did not become a food source until the 1920s. Soybean cultivation was especially important after World War I and during the Great Dust Basin. It was used to help repair the soil in order to re-establish great crops in the Middle Eastern areas of the United States (remember… it has amazing nitrogen fixing properties). From 1932 to 1933, Henry Ford spent about $1,250,000.00 on soybean research. It was used to make paint and oil for his automobile company, Ford Motor Company. Ford even hired chemists to make silk from soybeans, called Azlon (although Dupont came along and took over the market with their version of “faux-silk,” called polyester).
Website design By BotEap.comFrom there, soy took off as a food ingredient, first being used to make ice cream and non-dairy whipped cream. Now, it’s prevalent in everything from chocolate to processed cereals. In fact, soy is found in many processed foods, both organic and conventional. It is well known as the main ingredient in infant formulas and protein drinks.
Website design By BotEap.comBut hey, what’s the problem with soy?
Website design By BotEap.comMuch is wrong with soy. Although this “miracle bean” is touted as a factor in longevity and heart disease prevention, it carries far more risks than its purported benefits. Tea
dangers of oneself They are many:
Website design By BotEap.comPhytic acid in soybeans
Website design By BotEap.comSoy contains phytic acid. The phytic acid in soybeans cannot be neutralized (as is the case with some cereals, seeds and nuts) if it is immersed in an acid medium. Phytic acid is also not neutralized when soybeans are cooked or during processing. Phytic acid is an enzyme inhibitor. And what it does is block the absorption of minerals in the digestive tract. That means that by eating soy, you block your body’s ability to absorb calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, and copper. A mineral deficiency contributes to a variety of health problems, not limited to growth problems in children, immune development, and thyroid disease. Only fermentation will neutralize the phytic acid in soybeans.
Website design By BotEap.comgoitrogens
Website design By BotEap.comOkay, I bet you may not have heard of this one. And the risk of eating too many goitrogens (which are abundant in soy) is that it suppresses the thyroid. This can lead to weight gain, fatigue, inability to concentrate, decreased focus, feeling cold all the time, and much more. Don’t take your thyroid gland for granted, because once you start having problems here, the road to recovery can be long and agonizing (I
to know).
Website design By BotEap.comphytoestrogens
Website design By BotEap.comIn the old days, phytoestrogens were believed to be a woman’s Best Friend Forever. Soy was the super dumb magic elixir that could help a woman with her hormones. Phytoestrogens mimic estrogen. Independent research (NOT sponsored by the soy industry) shows that high estrogen is linked to breast cancer, infertility, and low libido in women. Add soy to the diet and you’ll get even more of it.
Website design By BotEap.comHow convenient, but the dangers of soy don’t end there…
Website design By BotEap.comSoybean manufacturing is a big test; made up of many processes. Here’s what happens when you make one of the most common food ingredients, soy protein isolate:
- After most of a soybean crop is solvent extracted with hexane…
- Soy protein isolate is taken as a by-product of the manufacture of soybean oil.
- After being put through a series of alkaline and acid washes, it is spray-dried into a powder (which ends up in “diet” protein powders and baby formula).
- During the spray-drying process, carcinogenic nitrates are formed.
- MSG is usually added to TVP (made through a high temperature process), giving it a “meaty” flavor and masking the flavor of the bean. TVP is used as “fake meat” in many healthy food products.
- Also present in soybeans (even after high-heat processing), is trypsin inhibitor, making it necessary for farm animals consuming soy-based products to receive lysine supplementation. Humans who eat soy can also be deficient in lysine, but we don’t usually hear about supplements for that.
Website design By BotEap.comOther Side Effects of Soy (Wait! You Mean There’s More?)
Website design By BotEap.comYes.
Website design By BotEap.comtransgenic soy
Website design By BotEap.comWhat exactly is transgenic soy?
Website design By BotEap.com77% of soybeans grown in the world are known as Genetically Modified Organisms. In the United States, 93% of soybeans grown are considered GMO. This means that soybeans have been genetically modified (in most cases) to be able to withstand large amounts of herbicides such as glyphosate or glufosinate. When you eat soy that is NOT organic, you ingest these herbicides.
Website design By BotEap.comGlyphosate (used in Monsanto’s Roundup) has been associated with a large number of deformities in laboratory animals, and of course large doses will cause serious injury or death in an adult. Initial exposure can cause rashes, nausea, sore throat, shortness of breath, headaches, lethargy, and nosebleeds. Long-term studies in humans have shown an increased risk of cancer, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, miscarriage, and attention deficit disorder with this herbicide.
Website design By BotEap.comGlufosinate kills plants by inhibiting the enzyme glutamine synthetase (try saying
that 5 times very fast), an enzyme that is also found in animals, including humans. In laboratory animals, particularly dogs, glufosinate caused cardiac and circulatory failure (within two weeks of ingestion). Other laboratory animals had higher rates of miscarriages, premature birth, seizures, diarrhea, and aggressiveness.
Website design By BotEap.comPlease understand that MANY of these two herbicides can be sprayed on GM soybeans to discourage weed growth. GM soy will contain traces of these herbicides. It can not be washed. IF you are going to consume soy, make sure you consume organic soy.
Website design By BotEap.comAnother problem with GM soy is that the soy has been genetically modified and long-term studies on the effects of this in humans have not been extensively studied. The future implications in our society could be serious.
Website design By BotEap.comLast but not least…
Website design By BotEap.comSoy allergies are very common (along with allergies to milk, wheat, egg, and nuts).
Website design By BotEap.comSymptoms of soy allergies include:
Website design By BotEap.comAccording to the Mayo Clinic, “Soy allergies can include:
- tingling in the mouth
- Hives, itching or itchy, scaly skin (eczema)
- Swelling of the lips, face, tongue, and throat or other parts of the body
- Wheezing, runny nose, or difficulty breathing
- Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting
- Skin redness (flushing)”
Website design By BotEap.comThe Mayo Clinic also states:
Website design By BotEap.com“Soy allergy in infants often begins with the introduction of a soy-based formula. Soy allergy can develop when a child is switched to a soy-based formula after an allergic reaction to a soy-based formula. milk base”. source: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/soy-allergy/DS00970/DSECTION=symptoms
Website design By BotEap.comSo… IF you’re not will (or cannot) breastfeed your baby and he or she must have formula, please take a look at these natural infant formulas at:
Website design By BotEap.comhttp://www.westonaprice.org/childrens-health/recipes-for-homemade-baby-formula
Website design By BotEap.comnow…there
are soy alternatives you can use in your diet, whether you’re eating a vegan diet, a paleo diet, or anywhere in between.
Website design By BotEap.comHere’s how you can avoid soy and what you can eat instead of soy:
Website design By BotEap.comCheck everybody labels. soy is in fashion
many many processed foods. Manufacturers will usually state on the label that the food product contains soy, but the best way to avoid it is to cook from scratch. It is known as “soy lecithin”, “soy”, “hydrolyzed soy protein”, “soy protein isolate” or “soy”. It can even be used as a “natural preservative”.
Website design By BotEap.comAlternative sources of milk:
Website design By BotEap.comCow milk
Website design By BotEap.comgoat milk
Website design By BotEap.comalmond milk
Website design By BotEap.comrice milk
Website design By BotEap.comCoconut milk
Website design By BotEap.comhemp milk
Website design By BotEap.comAll these “milks” are
guaranteed be in the health food store and are also becoming very common in regular grocery stores. You can even make your own milks with nothing more than a blender and a coffee filter. Homemade coconut milk and almond milk are
very nutritious. If you’re interested in making these milks (it’s pretty simple to make), you can “Google” them.
Website design By BotEap.comAlternative protein sources:
Website design By BotEap.comwhey protein
Website design By BotEap.comMeat (of any kind)
Website design By BotEap.comEggs (very easy to make)
Website design By BotEap.comspirulina
Website design By BotEap.comPea (sold as a powdered drink)
Website design By BotEap.comRice (sold as a powdered drink)
Website design By BotEap.comDairy products
Website design By BotEap.comI thrive on a diet with plenty of meat, and sometimes I’ll make an extra burger (or something else) ahead of time for those times when
really really you need some protein. I add it to salads, toss into a vegetable stir-fry or anything else. I also like to keep a few hard-boiled eggs in the fridge for an “on-the-go” snack. Of course, protein powders are also useful…
Website design By BotEap.comFermented soy products. Now, these foods that contain soy are
ok to eat. In fact, they are not only good to eat, but because they are fermented (and contain
A LOT of beneficial lactobacilli), fermented soy products can be a
very important part of your diet. This is what they are:
Website design By BotEap.comtamari sauce
Website design By BotEap.comnatto
Website design By BotEap.comfermented bean paste
Website design By BotEap.comtempeh
Website design By BotEap.commiso
Website design By BotEap.comOne of my favorite things to eat (especially first thing in the morning) is chicken broth with miso paste mixed in. I add ½ teaspoon of miso paste to a cup of chicken broth. Miso can taste quite salty (so be careful!); add little by little to taste. You can start small…
Website design By BotEap.comAppetizers. There
Quite some snacks out there that contain soy. Some of these are made purely from soy (or have a LOT of it). If you’re avoiding soy altogether, watch out for chocolate chips or chocolate (soy lecithin is usually found in chocolate). Haha, I think chocolate is the most complicated of all… This is where I found soy-free chocolate:
Website design By BotEap.comSomeWhole Foods brand organic chocolate bars
Website design By BotEap.comEnjoy Life makes soy-free chocolate (but keep looking at the labels)
Website design By BotEap.comHere are some other soy-free snacks:
Website design By BotEap.comCheese
Website design By BotEap.comVegetables and fruits
Website design By BotEap.comHome roasted walnuts (or dehydrated)
Website design By BotEap.comMost of the larabars
Website design By BotEap.comEnjoy the products of life
Website design By BotEap.comHomemade organic popcorn
Website design By BotEap.comSo the next time you venture to the grocery store or Farmer’s Market, know that you have healthy, quick and nutritious alternatives to soy.
