There are a lot of Health Myths in the medical system and in alternative health as well. Soy has been unfairly criticized for several decades. A Midwestern Doctor said in the latest post at amidwesterndoctor.substack.com/p/why-do-foods-make-us-gain-weight under "Xenoestrogens": "We are constantly exposed to a large number of compounds that behave like estrogens in the environment and thus are commonly referred to as endocrine disruptors. These include: soy" and numerous chemicals etc.
So I wish to help set the record straight with James Sloane's list of facts about Soy.
https://www.trueleafmarket.com/products/yellow-soybeans-organic-bulk-grains-foods
SOY IS EXCELLENT FOOD, BUT NEEDS TO BE COOKED OR FERMENTED.
First, I’ll list the topics covered and below that are the myths and James’s facts. A Midwestern Doctor’s false claim is addressed under point 13.
1: CONSUMPTION
2: BENEFITS
3: PROTEIN
4: B12
5: BABIES
6: VITAMIN D
7: PHYTIC ACID
8: CHOLESTEROL
9: PUBERTY
10: OSTEOPOROSIS
11: CANCER
12: HEART
13: ESTROGEN
14: MENOPAUSE
15: MIND
16: SOY ISOLATES
17: FERTILITY
18: ENVIRONMENT
19: THIRD WORLD
20: AUTOIMMUNITY
21: THYROID
22: IODINE
23: TSH
24: THYROID HORMONES
25: SOY EXTRACT
Soy myths part 1 — Forum: The Truth in Medicine
http://curezone.com/forums/p_fck.asp?f=980&i=1548294
FACT 1: CONSUMPTION: Asians consume large amounts of soy foods.
MYTH 1: 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.
FACT 1+: The real truth: Where did this bogus propaganda come from? Well it is posted on page 3 of this link from some whacko site called "Vegetarians are Evil"
http://www.vegetariansareevil.com/soy.html
The fact is that soy is a major component of the Asian diet in a number of products such as tofu, miso, edamame, etc.
FACT 2: BENEFITS: Modern soy foods confer the same health benefits as traditionally fermented soy foods.
MYTH 2: 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.
FACT 2+: The real truth: Cooking denatures proteins and leads to carcinogen formation. I wonder how many of these soy bashers cook their meat before eating it? In addition many soy products are fermented including tofu, natto and miso, so they are being misleading.
FACT 3: PROTEIN. Soy foods provide complete protein.
MYTH 3: Like all legumes, soy beans are deficient in sulfur-containing amino acids methionine and cystine. In addition, modern processing denatures fragile lysine.
FACT 3+: The real truth: I addressed this myth here:
http://curezone.com/forums/fm.asp?i=1498735#i
And if they bothered to check the amino acid profile of soybeans, they would find that soy does in fact contain methionine and cystine:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soybean
And regardless of what the amino acid profile is, we must also keep in mind that our body generates some of its own amino acids, and we also obtain other amino acids from other dietary sources. If we consumed the same thing all the time, like only beef or only milk, we would develop deficiencies. This is why we eat a varied diet. So again they are attempting to mislead people.
FACT 4: B12. Fermented soy foods can provide vitamin B12 in vegetarian diets.
MYTH 4: 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
FACT 4+: The real truth: Plants generally do not contain active B12, but rather B12 analogues. So, if they are going to claim this about soy then they will also have to make this claim about most plants we eat. Although there is NO evidence that B12 analogues increase our need for Active B12, and they fail to take in to account the fact that plant fibers feed the flora, which generate active B12. So again they are attempting to mislead people.
FACT 5: BABIES. Soy formula is safe for infants.
MYTH 5: 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.
FACT 5+: The real truth: Notice they mentioned "test animals", which indicates non-human studies. Well guess what? They must also believe then that chocolate is deadly since it will kill a dog. We are not the same as dogs, cats, mice rabbits, etc. To say based on an animal study that something is toxic is ludicrous. In addition, many studies overload the animal to make something appear toxic when it is not at normal levels. For example, the study that claimed chromium picolinate could cause cancer because it caused neoplasms in mice given a dose 6,000 times the equivalent level that would be given to a human.
In addition, they failed to mention the well-known fact that trypsin inhibitors are destroyed by fermentation or cooking used in the preparation of soy showing a DELIBERATE intent to mislead the public.
MYTH 6: VITAMIN D. Soy foods increase the body’s requirement for vitamin D, needed for strong bones and normal growth.
FACT 6+: There is no evidence that soy increases the need for vitamin D either. This is nothing but a persistent perpetuated myth. Soy is low in vitamin D, so soy products are frequently fortified just like cow's milk:
http://www.health.state.ny.us/diseases/conditions/osteoporosis/vitd.htm
They also fail to mention that plants do not contain active vitamin D anyway, which is why our body produces active vitamin D from cholesterol and inactive D2. So again they were misleading the public.
MYTH 7: PHYTIC ACID. Phytic acid in soy foods results in reduced bio-availability of iron and zinc which are required for the health and development of the brain and nervous system.
FACT 7+: I addressed this misleading claim a number of times:
http://curezone.com/forums/fm.asp?i=1542754#i
MYTH 8: CHOLESTEROL. Soy also lacks cholesterol, likewise essential for the development of the brain and nervous system.
FACT 8+: The real truth: Another desperate means to badmouth soy. Do they recommend not drinking water because it lacks cholesterol? And if they knew ANYTHING about how the body works then they would have known that the liver synthesizes the cholesterol the body needs. We do not require food sources of cholesterol.
MYTH 9: PUBERTY. 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.
FACT 9+: The truth is again this claim lacks evidence. Soy only contains a very small percentage of phytoestrogens by weight, which are actually decreased during the cooking or fermentation of processing. Furthermore, phytoestrogens average 200 to 400 times weaker than the body's own estrogens. So a person would have to consume probably at least 10 pounds of soy in one sitting to get the same amount of estrogen in a glass of milk or a steak., which contain estrogens even stronger than human estrogens.
The link between dietary estrogens and early development of children has been examined for a long time. But the link was found to be from the estrogens in meats, not soy. I ran several searches and could not find even one study linking soy to early development. Current research is also pointing to environmental xenoestrogens, which can be 30,000 to 100,000 times stronger than human estrogens. These include the xenoestrogens in plastics and shampoos to name a few.
And I addressed this earlier:
http://curezone.com/forums/fm.asp?i=1542005#i
Re: Soy myths part 2 Hveragerthi
FACT 10: OSTEOPOROSIS. Soy foods can prevent osteoporosis.
MYTH 10: 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.
FACT 10+: The real truth is: As I pointed out in my last post there are no studies showing that soy reduces vitamin D levels. And many soy products are being fortified with vitamin D, so they are being very misleading. As for calcium I have yet to see any evidence that soy reduces calcium either. In fact soy provides some calcium and magnesium. But more importantly is also provides other nutrients and compounds for healthy bones. Particularly silica, which is the number one most important needed for healthy bones. Like vitamin D, silica helps with calcium absorption. Although unlike vitamin D silica helps to form the collagen matrix that is responsible the vast majority of bone's strength. In addition the silica is responsible for the mineralization of all bone, and this includes the mineralization by calcium. Without silica all the vitamin D and calcium is not going to do squat for the bones.
In addition, soy contains isoflavones that have been proven to INCREASE bone density and strength and/or decrease bone loss:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19877511
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17392695
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18063230
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19759166
On the other hand meat and dairy have been shown to decrease bone density. This is in large part due to the high phosphorus content, which displaces calcium from bones. In addition high protein such as in dairy products interferes with calcium absorption. This is why the highest milk consuming nations in the world also have the highest osteoporosis rates.
In addition animal proteins have been shown to induce bone loss though metabolic acids:
http://www.springerlink.com/content/35211uv240638198/
http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/abstract/111/3/553
http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/reprint/120/1/134.pdf
https://www.msu.edu/~corcora5/food/vegan/calcium+protein.html
http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/full/75/4/609
So as we can see the intake of animal proteins has a negative effect on bone unlike soy that has a positive effect on bone density. So they either deliberately lied or got their facts backward.
FACT 11: CANCER. Modern soy foods protect against many types of cancer.
MYTH 11: 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.
FACT 11+: The truth is that numerous studies have shown the anti-cancer effects of soy isoflavones. So all I can conclude is that the British government has not learned how to read medical studies:
http://curezone.com/forums/fm.asp?i=1536933#i
http://curezone.com/forums/fm.asp?i=1505384#i
http://curezone.com/forums/fm.asp?i=1536939#i
http://curezone.com/forums/fm.asp?i=1443251#i
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19996398
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19800779
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19789363
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19789300
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17200150
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14628433
"There are growing body of experimental evidence that show the inhibition of human cancer cells by genistein through the modulation of genes that are related to the control of cell cycle and apoptosis. Moreover, it has been shown that genistein inhibits the activation of NF-kappa B and Akt signaling pathways, both of which are known to maintain a homeostatic balance between cell survival and apoptosis. Genistein is commonly known as phytoestrogen, which targets estrogen- and androgen-mediated signaling pathways in the processes of carcinogenesis. Furthermore, genistein has been found to have antioxidant property, and shown to be a potent inhibitor of angiogenesis and metastasis. Taken together, both in vivo and in vitro studies have clearly shown that genistein, one of the major soy isoflavones, is a promising reagent for cancer chemoprevention and/or treatment. "
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12813174
"CONCLUSION: In a population-based, prospective cohort study in Japan, frequent miso soup and isoflavone consumption was associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer."
http://cebp.aacrjournals.org/content/16/3/538.full
"In conclusion, we found that isoflavone intake was associated with a decreased risk of localized prostate cancer."
http://www.liebertonline.com/doi/abs/10.1089/cbr.1997.12.405
FACT 12: HEART. Soy foods protect against heart disease.
MYTH 12: 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.
FACT 12+: The truth is: Are they really that stupid to think that cholesterol would be the only factor in heart disease? In fact high cholesterol has NOTHING to do with heart disease. But soy does provide silica that keeps the artery walls flexible and free from inflammation that {otherwise} leads to cholesterol buildup. Soy also contains sterols that lower blood pressure that could otherwise lead to damage and cholesterol buildup. And soy contains phytic acid, which they pointed out clears up iron. To be a lot more specific phytic acid has a high affinity for toxic heavy metals and free iron that can contribute to oxidative damage and plaque formation.
FACT 13: ESTROGEN. Soy estrogens (isoflavones) are good for you.
MYTH 13: 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.
FACT 13+: The real truth is: Soy helps to prevent cancer and excess estrogen issues as evidenced above. And through the same mechanism of antagonizing estrogen, soy has also been shown to help maintain bone density and balance the hormones, which helps prevents the symptoms they claim. On the other hand, beef and dairy are well known for causing these side effects, in part due to their high estrogen levels, poor digestion and toxins they provide to the body such as uric acid.
FACT 14: MENOPAUSE. Soy foods are safe and beneficial for women to use in their postmenopausal years.
MYTH 14: Soy foods can stimulate the growth of estrogen-dependent tumors and cause thyroid problems. Low thyroid function is associated with difficulties in menopause.
FACT 14+: The real truth is that these claims have already been proven false above and in other posts.
FACT 15: MIND. Phytoestrogens in soy foods can enhance mental ability.
MYTH 15: 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.
FACT 15+: I already addressed this here:
http://curezone.com/forums/fm.asp?i=1538298#i
We also have to keep in mind that soy is also a good source of lecithin, which has compounds that help with building both brain tissue and acetylcholine associated with improved memory. So did this study take in to account other factors such as other things in the diet like beef and dairy. Note that the study found women with the highest level of "estrogen" in their blood. Unlike meats and dairy, soy DOES NOT raise estrogen levels. In fact as I have shown, the phytoestrogens in soy ANTAGONIZE stronger estrogens such as those found in meats, dairy and that are produced by the human body. These strong estrogens from animals and produced by the body will interfere with thyroid function, if not antagonized, leading to a decline in cognitive function. Therefore, we can conclude that soy is unlikely to have been a culprit since it does not raise estrogen levels above normal, like beef and dairy can, or during menopause, or with certain endocrine disorders.
Re: Soy myths part 3 Hveragerthi
This is a reply to # 1,548,646
FACT 16: SOY ISOLATES. Soy isoflavones and soy protein isolate have GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status.
MYTH 16: 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.
FACT 16+: The real truth is: Did they really think nobody would check to see if they are lying?!!! From the FDA's own website {here are} the GRAS approvals for soy products:
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov
FACT 17: FERTILITY. Soy foods are good for your sex life.
MYTH 17: 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.
FACT 17+: The real truth is: LOL! This is some of the funniest garbage I have seen in a long time. First of all studies have shown no effect of soy on sperm:
http://curezone.com/forums/fm.asp?i=1542259#i
And how do they explain the ultra-high population of people in China where soy products are a major component of the diet if it reduces virility and fertility?
And low testosterone does not increase hair growth. Things like facial and chest hair are increased by increased levels of testosterone, but lower levels do not increase hair growth. Seriously, what were these people smoking when they thought this garbage up? Highly estrogenic marijuana?!!! Or maybe they overdosed on highly estrogenic beer! The role of testosterone on scalp hair is when it converts to the more radical dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which kills the hair follicle to die and the hair falls out. This is known as male pattern baldness (MPB). What phytoestrogens can do is to act as DHT blockers preventing hair loss. This is why oils like sesame oil are used in some countries to prevent hair loss. Licorice root, saw palmetto, pygeum and other herbs also help by acting as DHT blockers.
FACT 18: ENVIRONMENT. Soy beans are good for the environment
MYTH 18: Most soy beans grown in the US are genetically engineered to allow farmers to use large amounts of herbicides.
FACT 18+: The truth is: Why would they think that genetically altering plant for insect resistance would require more use of herbicides? Use some common sense people!!! If the bugs cannot eat the soy then what are they going to eat? Maybe the weeds?
FACT 19: THIRD WORLD. Soy beans are good for developing nations.
MYTH 19: In third world countries, soybeans replace traditional crops and transfer the value-added of processing from the local population to multinational corporations.
http://www.soyonlineservice.co.nz/03soymyths.htm
FACT 19+: Do they have any evidence of this or is this just more unsubstantiated soy bashing? And have they considered that "traditional crops" change all the time? Do you think watermelons and tomatoes are from North America? What about wheat? Bananas? Should I go on with the long list of non-native crops being grown in the US?
MYTH 20: AUTOIMMUNITY. Other studies raise concerns about soy's effect on hormones, for example: One study found that children with autoimmune thyroid disease are more likely to have been fed soy-based infant formula.
FACT 20+: The real truth is that "more likely" is hardly a proof of correlation. In fact I ran several searches looking for any human studies showing a link between soy intake and Hashimoto's and there were NONE!!! Probably because soy has nothing to do with autoimmune thyroid conditions. If you do your homework, you will find that autoimmune conditions stem from adrenal dysfunction and nearly every autoimmune condition has been proven to have a microbial trigger. Soy is not a microbe and it does not suppress the adrenals.
MYTH 21: THYROID. A 1991 Japanese study found that soy consumption can suppress thyroid function and cause goiters in healthy people, especially elderly subjects.
FACT 21+: The real truth is that cooking or fermenting soy inactivates the goitrogenic activity of soy. Do you know anyone who eats raw soybeans? I also find it interesting that they always claim these studies exist, but they don't link or post them. And when you go to look for them they are nowhere to be found. This is a great example of what I have mentioned in the past about it is easy to make any claim, but it is impossible to prove when you are making the claim up. This is why when people claim studies exist but don't provide them they usually do not exist.
MYTH 22: IODINE. Czech researchers in 2006 reported on a study that looked at thyroid hormones and thyroid autoantibodies, along with blood levels of two isoflavones -- daidzein and genistein. The study looked at children without overt thyroid disease, who were not iodine deficient. They found a "significant positive association of genistein with thyroglobulin autoantibodies and a negative correlation with thyroid volume." They concluded that "even small differences in soy phytoestrogen intake may influence thyroid function, which could be important when iodine intake is insufficient."
FACT 22+: "When iodine is insufficient. This has been pointed out in the past. In fact I mentioned a few days ago that the traditional Asian diet also includes seaweeds high in iodine. Also keep in mind that cooking and fermentation eliminates the goitrogenic effect and we get iodine from other food sources. So unless you are eating a diet of raw soybeans and nothing else the risk is basically non-existent. On the other hand other goitrogenic foods commonly eaten raw could be a big factor such as flax seed, which has about two times more goitrogenic activity than raw soy. Other goitrogens commonly eaten raw include cabbage, broccoli, onions, peaches, spinach, peanuts, turnips....
MYTH 23: TSH. In 2004, researchers found that infants fed soy formula had a prolonged increase in their thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels, compared to infants fed non-soy formula.
FACT 23+: Again, where is the study? If you really want to prove a point then provide the proof, not hearsay!!!
MYTH 24: THYROID HORMONES. European researchers found in one study that even a week of consuming unprocessed boiled natural soybeans caused modest changes to thyroid levels.
FACT 24+: "Unprocessed boiled natural soybeans"?!!! Isn't boiling processing? And are their synthetic soybeans? And again, where is the study?
MYTH 25: SOY EXTRACT. A 1997 study published in the journal Biochemical Pharmacology wrote: "it was observed that an ... extract of soybeans contains compounds that inhibit thyroid peroxidase- (TPO) catalyzed reactions essential to thyroid hormone synthesis
FACT 25+: I have only seen one study on this and it was a rat study. We are not rats, nor do we react the same to substances as rats. I posted on this study and provided human studies showing that soy does not affect the thyroid in humans here: