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Soy Redux

In 2000, I wrote an article in my newsletter called The Dark Side of Soy. Since most of you have forgotten about it and are asking me again about soy products, here it is again rewritten and added to with the latest information. First of all, I admit that I have a huge prejudice against soy. I don't feel good when I eat it and probably have a sensitivity to it. Eating any kind of unfermented soy gives me embarrassing gas and the day I ate soy nuts, I practically exploded. My gringo-gut can't take the soy and it lands like a gassy landmine in my stomach creating the bloating equivalent of a 5 month pregnancy.

You are certainly on the right track if you are now thinking, "Wow, what a powerful LOBBY this must be!" Yes, the soybean industry is as powerful now as the pharmaceutical industry which basically means that soy does not have your best interest in mind and the industry keeps their thinking heads awake at night developing new ways to use the 72 million acres of soy harvested every year.

The soy marketeers have done a superlative job: You can readily buy soy cheese, soy milk, soy burgers and hot dogs, soy ice cream, soy yogurt, soy baby formula and soy flour. These products are invariably marketed as low-fat, dairy-free alternatives or as high-protein, meat substitute for vegetarians. Today an alarming 60% of the food on America's supermarket shelves contain soy derivatives, including soy flour, textured vegetable protein, partially hydrogenated soy bean oil , soy protein isolate.

But why isn't it good for you? Here, let me count the ways

1) Soy contains a large amount of dangerous substances, one of which is phytic acid. These acids block the body's uptake of minerals like calcium, magnesium, iron, copper and esp. zinc, thereby contributing to mineral deficiencies. In fact, "zinc deficiency can cause the 'spacey' feeling that some vegetarians may mistake for the 'high' of spiritual enlightenment." (Townsend Letter, 7/2000)

2) Soy has been linked to an increased risk of cognitive problems in old age. High tofu intake was also linked to a greater risk of brain atrophy based on brain scans and autopsies.

3) Soy may feed hormone dependent cancers like breast and prostate due to its estrogen-like compounds. In fact in any alternative cancer clinic worth its salt (eg, Gonzales in NYC, Gerson et al in Mexico), the use of soy is strictly forbidden.

4) Soy contains hemagglutinin, a clot promoting substance that causes red blood cells to clump together, rendering them unable to properly absorb oxygen or said another way, soy is not terribly good for your heart.

5) Soy is goitrogenic and depresses the thyroid gland.

6) Because soy is estrogenic and because it contains growth inhibitors, never ever feed your growing children soy, and esp. soy formula, which should be outlawed. Soy formula also contains excessive levels of manganese which tends to be toxic and can contribute to brain damage. Baby rats fed soy failed to grow normally.

7) Over two-thirds of the U.S. soy crop is genetically modified and, so far, we have no idea what kind of Pandora's Box the long-term use of GMO's will open up. Avoid GMO's if at all possible, since they are such unknowns.

8) And, if the above 7 reasons didn't convince you, this one might: Soy foods dampen the libido.

So what about the Japanese who eat 30 times as much soy as we do? And they live long lives, with a much lower incidence of cancers of the breast uterus and prostate? Yes, that is true, but the theory is flawed, if you then say that it logically follows that soy MUST be healthy for you.

First of all, the soy in the Asian diet is primarily fermented soy, like natto, tempeh, miso and soy sauce. These products undergo a long period of fermentation and the phytates and antinutrient levels of soybeans are reduced thus making their nourishment available to the human digestive system. These soy ferments, I believe, are very good for you and should be eaten liberally. I also think that both soy sprouts and edemame are fine, too.

Secondly, the Japanese and the Asians, in general, have a much higher rate of other cancers than we do - particularly of the esophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver and thyroid. Furthermore, a study of about 4,000 elderly Japanese-American men found that those who ate the most unfermented tofu during midlife had more than double the risk of later developing Alzheimer's disease. And, here is a fascinating little tidbit having nothing to do with soy, but rather interesting I thought. I know this has nothing at all to do with YOU personally, but. . .

The Top Nine Foods Eaten by Americans are:

Whole Cows Milk
2% Milk
Processed American cheese
White Bread
White Flour
White rolls
Refined Sugar
Colas
Ground Beef

Please be advised that the next Cleansing and Weightloss class starts on April 18th. As I restrict my class size to 10, it would be a good idea to sign up now if you are interested. If you like, go to my website and click on Ongoing Classes to read more about what the class is all about. What I will want from you to hold your place is a post-dated check (April 18th) paying the full amount for the class. I won't cash the check until the 18th, but it will hold your place.

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