Uncovering the Mystery of Soy

Some people are saying that soy is healthy for you and they love it! Others are saying that their doctor told them not to eat it because it will cause breast cancer. Who is right?

Women in Asian countries, where a lot of soy is consumed, have dramatically lower rates of breast cancer than women in the United States. And Asian women don’t even have a word for “hot flashes” because they don’t get them! There is an ongoing debate, both in traditional medicine and holistic circles, about the benefits and potential harm of these products. These nutritious beans have been used for many years, by many cultures, as a high quality protein source that has numerous additional health benefits. Sadly, modern agricultural and food industry methods have created some legitimate reasons for concern.

Modern food industry has created more and more processed, refined, chemically altered, instant products that contain soy but in an extremely altered, unhealthy state. These products contain virtually none of the original benefits of the soybean and many of the detrimental effects common in overly processed, chemically altered foodstuffs. These beans are one of the top 5 most genetically modified crops, leading to concerns. Use of fertilizers and pesticides is another concern. This bean is nutrient and protein-rich. Quality control and processing methods make all the difference.

You may have heard that this bean may stunt growth and/or cause thyroid problems. It is known that in the raw state it contains an “anti-tyrosine”(tyrosine is a non-essential amino acid that is the precursor to thyroid hormone)or “anti-growth” substance. Orientals, who have consumed this bean for years, cook their soy to deactivate this detrimental substance. Tyrosine deficiency may also cause low blood pressure, low body temperature and restless leg syndrome.

There is one company that is very careful in their processing of these beans. They actually deactivate this detrimental substance. Growth and thyroid function are not inhibited; pro-goitrogenic factors are removed; tyrosine levels are not affected.

Some say that this protein may cause blood cells to clump together. At this company, hemagglutinin is removed so blood cells won’t clump together. This protein is heart healthy!

It has been said that this bean may actually cause or increase breast and prostate cancer growth. Truth is, “overcooked” beans may, in fact, contain carcinogen, or cancer causing, compounds. When the beans are processed under high temperatures to be sold as a meat substitute, the over-processing may render it a “carcinogen”. It’s all in the processing.

Many companies use an alcohol-based wash when cleaning the flakes in the production of powders, cheese, burgers, milk, and tofu. This technique causes the loss of approximately 88% of the isoflavone content.

The company I like uses a water-based wash to clean the flakes. This technique preserves an extremely high level of isoflavone content as well as beneficial phytochemicals. To see more about the soy I trust,

click here.

Return to Home Page