Over the years, soy has developed a bad reputation. Fear of hormone disruption, poor mineral absorption, digestive issues, and other woes have grown so widely that people fear ingesting soy in any form. However, soy continues to be a staple in the diets of some of the healthiest communities in the world. Here, we will attempt to discover the truth. Is soy good or bad?
Firstly, it is important to recognize there are two different kinds of soy: fermented, and unfermented
UNFERMENTED SOY:
- Includes tofu, soy milk, and fake meat products
- Contains phytic acid, which blocks the absorption of key vitamins and minerals
- Provides anti-nutrients, plant compounds that can act as toxins in the body
- Can promote blood-clotting, due to a substance called hemagglutinin
- Blocks thyroid function, due to goitrogens
- Likely GMO – 93% of soy in America is genetically modified
FERMENTED SOY:
- Includes tempeh, natto, miso soup, tamari, and soy sauce
- Improves bone healthy by boosting calcium & magnesium absorption
- Easier to digest
- Contains probiotics for gut health
- Boosts immune function
- Rich in vitamin K2, necessary for circulatory health and for calcium absorption
- Balances cholesterol levels
Most studies that show the detrimental effects of soy are using unfermented, GMO, conventionally-grown soy. These studies are also often done using rats, and humans differ anatomically from rats. More importantly, rats and humans utilize soy in different ways. For instance, soy isoflavones have been found to inhibit the synthesis of thyroid hormones in rodents, but studies have not found the same effect in humans.
As for the claim that soy can alter estrogen levels in the body, this is a misconception. The phytoestrogens found in soy are not the same as estrogen. Only animals or people can make estrogens. Plants cannot. Plants do contain phytoestrogens.
These are so named because they are similar in structure to mammalian estrogens, but they do not affect the body in the same way, i.e. interrupting menstrual cycles, or giving men feminine qualities unless eaten to excess. This takes 12 servings a day!
Regular consumption of organic, fermented soy has been found to:
- Slash the risk of prostate cancer by HALF
- Reduce the risk of heart attacks
- Reduce breast cancer by 40 percent in pre-and post-menopausal women
- Lower the rate of ovarian cancer
- Reduce overall rates of chronic diseases
- Boost brain function
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Please note: We do not directly or indirectly give medical advice or prescribe through alternative treatment. We recommend that people contact their doctor if they need a medical diagnosis. We assume no responsibility if anyone decides to use this information, which is of historical value, for they are choosing to prescribe for themselves. Healing is sometimes a slow process, and we suggest that you do not stop taking any medications without the guidance of a doctor.
Sources:
http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/healthy-eating/the-truth-about-non-fermented-vs-fermented-soy-protein.htmlhttp://probiotics.mercola.com/fermented-vs-unfermented-soy.htmlhttps://nutritionfacts.org/video/brca-breast-cancer-genes-and-soy/http://www.veganhealth.org/articles/soy_wthhttp://static.gnld.com.s3.amazonaws.com/us/page/net/business/nlclub/conference/truth_about_soy_john_miller.mp3