Jaime Giroux posted on December 12, 2008 07:25
Despite popular consensus generated from clever marketing propaganda, most people remain unaware that soy is not the health food it is being purported as. Much of the public misconception is a result of a carefully orchestrated plan implemented in the 1980’s by the American Soybean Association (ASA) to eliminate competition from imported tropical oils. A recent report from the Farmers Weekly stated,that nearly 70% of the US soybean value now comes from the US government. This has led to a 25% increase in soy plantings in the US since 1998.
"Imagine drugs that are known, by years of scientific documentation, to be both carcinogenic and to also cause DNA and chromosome damage being prescribed and administered through the food supply to populations of many countries around the world without the knowledge or consent of the individuals consuming these foods ... with no way to track dosage, individual reactions, or harmful side-effects ... and without any concern for some people’s increased vulnerability to these drugs, such as cancer patients. It sounds crazy, but that is exactly what is happening around the world when Soy is added to our food supply. Soy contains the scientifically documented carcinogenic and DNA damaging and chromosome damaging natural chemicals genistein and daidzein." - True Health, the magazine of Carotec Inc., Naples, Florida. May/June 2004.
Research has shown that long-term consumption of soy products can promote formation of goiters and development of autoimmune thyroid disease. Soy is a rich source of isoflavones, which are phytoestrogens that are known endocrine disruptors and potent anti-thyroid agents. Simply stated, overconsumption of soy products has the potential to impair thyroid function, is linked to infertility, breast & thyroid cancer and many other disorders. This is of particular concern for infants on a diet solely consisting of soy based formula, but is also an issue for adults who regularly eat soy products in various forms, who take soy or isoflavone supplements, or who regularly use soy protein powders.
Thyroid problems were almost triple in children fed soy-based milk formulas. Infants whose diets consisted exclusively of soy-based formula have 13,000 to 22,000 times more estrogen compounds in their blood than babies fed milk-based formula. This delivers the estrogenic equivalent of at least five birth control pills on a daily basis. The use of soy formula has been linked to premature development of girls and the underdevelopment of males. Not to mention, most soybeans are genetically modified and contain one of the highest levels of pesticide contamination of all foods.
Soybeans are high in phytates, an organic acid that blocks the body’s uptake of essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, copper, iron and zinc, which are all necessary for optimal biochemistry in the body. In order to reduce phytic acid levels soy must be processed at high temperatures, which denature the important proteins in soy, such as lysine. Ironically, eating meat is one of the best ways to reduce the mineral-blocking effects of these phytates and some of the largest consumers of soy products are vegetarians.
Unfermented soybeans contain large quantities of natural toxins or "anti-nutrients", increasing their health compromising effects. The most prevalent being enzyme inhibitors that block uptake of enzymes needed by the body for protein digestion. One side effect of this is a chronic deficiency in amino acid uptake. Traditional methods of cooking do not deactivate these “anti-nutrients”. Therefore, the only safe way to consume soy is in its fermented forms such as tempeh, miso, amakaze and natto. The fermentation process nullifies the negative effects of soy.
So the next time you are carousing the isles of your local food market, think twice before picking up that carton of soy milk or a box of coveted veggie burgers. For those of you relying on soy for your protein requirements, opt for the fermented varieties instead. After all, soybeans don’t naturally produce milk or grow into meat patties on their own. Eat close to nature, meaning your foods are as close to their natural state as possible, unprocessed and unadulterated. Remember that real food, or whole food, is always your best choice.
For more information on the use of Soy products, please visit: http://www.soyonlineservice.co.nz