MYTHS & TRUTHS ABOUT SOY FOODS
FAQ:
Myth: Use of soy as a food dates back many thousands
of years.
Truth: Soy was
first used as a food during the late Chou dynasty (1134-246 BC),
only after the Chinese learned to ferment soy beans to make foods
like tempeh, natto and tamari.
Myth: Asians consume large amounts of soy foods.
Truth: Average consumption of
soy foods in Japan and China is 10 grams (about 2 teaspoons) per
day. Asians consume soy foods in small amounts as a condiment, and
not as a replacement for animal foods.
Myth: Modern soy foods confer the same health benefits
as traditionally fermented soy foods.
Truth: Most modern soy foods
are not fermented to neutralize toxins in soybeans, and are processed
in a way that denatures proteins and increases levels of carcinogens.
Myth: Soy foods provide complete protein.
Truth: Like all legumes, soy
beans are deficient in sulfur-containing amino acids methionine
and cystine. In addition, modern processing denatures fragile lysine.
Myth: Fermented soy foods can provide vitamin B12
in vegetarian diets.
Truth: The compound that resembles
vitamin B12 in soy cannot be used by the human body; in fact, soy
foods cause the body to require more B12
Myth: Soy formula is safe for infants.
Truth: Soy foods contain trypsin
inhibitors that inhibit protein digestion and affect pancreatic
function. In test animals, diets high in trypsin inhibitors led
to stunted growth and pancreatic disorders. Soy foods increase the
body's requirement for vitamin D, needed for strong bones
and normal growth. Phytic acid in soy foods results in reduced bioavailabilty
of iron and zinc which are required for the health and development
of the brain and nervous system. Soy also lacks cholesterol, likewise
essential for the development of the brain and nervous system. Megadoses
of phytoestrogens in soy formula have been implicated in the current
trend toward increasingly premature sexual development in girls
and delayed or retarded sexual development in boys.
Myth: Soy foods can prevent osteoporosis.
Truth: Soy foods can cause deficiencies
in calcium and vitamin D, both needed for healthy bones. Calcium
from bone broths and vitamin D from seafood, lard and organ meats
prevent osteoporosis in Asian countries—not soy foods.
Myth: Modern soy foods protect against many types
of cancer.
Truth: A British government report
concluded that there is little evidence that soy foods protect against
breast cancer or any other forms of cancer. In fact, soy foods may
result in an increased risk of cancer.
Myth: Soy foods protect against heart disease.
Truth: In some
people, consumption of soy foods will lower cholesterol, but there
is no evidence that lowering cholesterol improves one's risk
of having heart disease.
Myth: Soy estrogens (isoflavones) are good for you.
Truth: Soy isoflavones are phyto-endocrine
disrupters. At dietary levels, they can prevent ovulation and stimulate
the growth of cancer cells. Eating as little as 30 grams (about
4 tablespoons) of soy per day can result in hypothyroidism with
symptoms of lethargy, constipation, weight gain and fatigue.
Myth: Soy foods are safe and beneficial for women
to use in their postmenopausal years.
Truth: Soy foods can stimulate
the growth of estrogen-dependent tumors and cause thyroid problems.
Low thyroid function is associated with difficulties in menopause.
Myth: Phytoestrogens in soy foods can enhance mental
ability.
Truth: A recent study found that
women with the highest levels of estrogen in their blood had the
lowest levels of cognitive function; In Japanese Americans tofu
consumption in mid-life is associated with the occurrence of Alzheimer's
disease in later life.
Myth: Soy isoflavones and soy protein isolate have
GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status.
Truth: Archer Daniels Midland
(ADM) recently withdrew its application to the FDA for GRAS status
for soy isoflavones following an outpouring of protest from the
scientific community. The FDA never approved GRAS status for soy
protein isolate because of concern regarding the presence of toxins
and carcinogens in processed soy.
Myth: Soy foods are good for your sex life.
Truth: Numerous animal studies
show that soy foods cause infertility in animals. Soy consumption
enhances hair growth in middle-aged men, indicating lowered testosterone
levels. Japanese housewives feed tofu to their husbands frequently
when they want to reduce his virility.
Myth: Soy beans are good for the environment
Truth: Most soy beans grown in
the US are genetically engineered to allow farmers to use large
amounts of herbicides.
Myth: Soy beans are good for the environment.
Truth: Most soy beans grown in
the US are genetically engineered to allow farmers to use large
amounts of herbicides.
Myth: Soy beans are good for developing nations.
Truth: In third world countries,
soybeans replace traditional crops and transfer the value-added
of processing from the local population to multinational corporations.
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