Today, we turn our attention to soy.
I tell you true, that stuff’s poison. It can do a number on you like nobody’s business and you might not even be aware it’s soy that’s causing all your woes.
Lest you object to my going after soy, I’ll agree up front that not all people suffer soy’s dire consequences.
But then, most smokers don’t develop cancer, either. How lucky do you feel?
The top 5 dangers of evil soy
Here’s what you’re facing:
Sickening Soy Danger # 1:
Soy’s loaded with oxalic acid. Think kidney stones–not to mention heart problems, immune deficiency, brain hiccups, etc.
Sickening Soy Danger #2:
Another part of soy’s manifest charms is phytates, which throw a monkey wrench into absorbing protein–along with the vital minerals calcium, iron, zinc and magnesium. We don’t go very far, very well without a goodly supply of protein and minerals.
Sickening Soy Danger #3:
And the phytates are not alone! Soy is estrogenic, so called because it mimics estrogen–keeping the real thing from its proper role whilst causing estrogen dominance–male or female.
It can cause premature puberty in little girls, lifelong low testosterone for little boys, breasts in men and a closetful of symptoms in women.
Estrogen is part of endocrine function, and when it’s out of whack, the rest of the endocrine system ends up in the ditch, too.
Sickening Soy Danger #4:
Plus, soy interferes with thyroid function. Big time. Soy can cause hypothyroid problems all by itself.
Sickening Soy Danger #5:
And soy excites our brain to death. Literally. Which can play havoc with memory. And throw our bodies into a tailspin, inviting disease to come for a visit. Speaking of which, there’s some kind of connection between extreme brain excitement and autoimmune diseases. Right now it’s just an attention-getting coincidence, but research should be coming along.
But, but, but, you say. Soy really helps with menopause symptoms!
And you’re right, but it’s a lot like trimming a hangnail with an out-of-control machete. It may get the job done, but the collateral damage is something else. Choose a safer–and more effective–way.
No soy for you.
A drunk driver damaged Bette Dowdell's pituitary gland shortly before her first birthday. Although doctors insisted for years that she was fine, her health drifted to a crash-and-burn event, and she realized her health was up to her.
Now she's happy to report she has energy all day, every day. She sleeps well. Colds, flu and headaches are all in the past. Optimism moved back in. Life is good.
Now Bette's sharing what she knows with others to help them take control of their health, too. People who become their own health advocate enjoy far better health than those that don't.
Bette grew up in The Salvation Army, where her parents were officers. Like the military, this Army life involved a lot of moving, and she attended ten schools, in nine cities, in three states before graduating from high school.
After college, Bette worked as an IBM Systems engineer, a small-company consultant and software company owner. She wrote the books How to be a Christian Without Being Annoying, On We March: A memoir of growing up in The Salvation Army and the e-book Pep For The Pooped: Discovering the Vitamins and Minerals Your Body Is Starving For.
She lives in the Phoenix area.
Latest posts by Bette Dowdell (see all)
- Keeping Our Bodies In Working Order - June 6, 2015
- Your Amazing Endocrine System - October 27, 2011
- Canned Tuna Is Not Your Friend - October 19, 2011
Anonymous says
July 23, 2011 at 2:52 pmWe know that in the fermentation of soy some benefits may come along as in Natto for instance, but the over absorption of soy in everything is ridiculous, soy burgers, soy this, soy that, is utterly ridiculous, even pasteurized 2% low fat milk they add soy in order to compliment protein imagine drinking this for many years while avoiding none fermented soy and you having your fill of soy while drinking milk, and all of this is not marked in the carton, I can just imagine what else soy is added without our knowledge. JAM
betted says
July 23, 2011 at 7:11 pmAnd you get soy when you eat factory-farm beef and chicken. With almost all soy now genetically modified, I’m even losing what little enthusiasm I had for fermented soy. Especially since it doesn’t do anything vitamins and minerals can’t do as well or, usually, better.
Anonymous says
July 23, 2011 at 8:22 pmSo, if one is lactose intolerant, likes the taste of milk (so has Soy) and can’t stand the taste of the other alternatives like: almond, rice or other ‘milks’ – what is the alternative, and where can one get calcium from – apart from copius greens?
Please help!!
Also – can you please point to the references where your claims come from? as in medical research results to substantiate these claims please? ‘T’would be nice to find an alternative…. since 37 years of lactose intolerance ignorance (caused constipation and bowel probs) has lead to this as an alternative, I just want to know why- after 10 years on Soy (Sanitarium brand) I feel fine, yet – now- worry about your claims….!
Steve S. says
July 23, 2011 at 8:45 pmI’ve heard years ago that Soy products were hard on the Thyroid gland, causing hypothyroidism (low or no thyroid function). The benefits of Soy just don’t outweigh the potential risks. Besides, who really in the U.S. loves Soy anyway? Honestly, tofu has to be covered up with something to make it palatable.
Rather than using Nattokinase, which is fermented Soy. I use fibrinolytic enzymes. The two I use are, Lumrokinase and Serrapeptase. I additionally add for venous strengthening, Turmeric (Cucumerin) and mixed Alpha Tocopherols (Vitamin E) along with a full Omega oil compliment. I also don’t use my doctor recommended 81mg. daily aspirin.
BoeingJets says
July 23, 2011 at 9:16 pmBy fermented soy, I assume you are referring to natto. I am a 54 year old male and recently started taking natto. I am healthy but had a problem with some pulmonary embolism’s last year after gall bladder surgery. I was on coumadin for 6 months when the Dr. was satisfied with my blood profile and took me off of the drug. I am interested in a preventative for another scary blood clot event. Everything I have read about natto has been very good but now I am concerned. Should I stop the natto and try something like garlic, vinpocetine, aspirin, curcumin, quercetin, or capsaicin? How much is too much?
Boomer12k says
July 23, 2011 at 10:43 pmSo, do your own studies, and start an education program to get it banned from foods.
I don’t doubt the problems with Soy. I had thyroid problems. Autoimmune problems, some was Antibiotics, and I was having soy added products back then too.
Now I eat no dairy, no soy, no wheat….hard to find something without all that, that is enjoyable, basically, veggie salad, fruit, and rice. Not very exciting….
Be well and happy.
Steve.
betted says
July 24, 2011 at 2:07 amSteve, it sounds like you don’t get any meat. We need meat. Have you tried grass-fed beef? It has no hormones, and no antibiotics, but plenty of omega 3 to bless our socks off. And if you can get raw milk, that’s really good, too. And free-range chicken and eggs have what we need as well.
HILLEL FRIDMAN says
July 24, 2011 at 5:08 pmI cannot agree with you on Soya. At university I did a research paper on soy consumption in Japan, On the islands that used predominantly fermented soya products, the levels of hormonal cancers were reduced. On the islands that consumed mainly unfermented soya, the levels of gastrointestinal cancers were reduced while hormonal cancers were higher. Why was stomach, colon and rectal cancers lower. Because of the cursed phytic acid. It binds with carcinogens just as it does with minerals.
While I enjoy much of your research, I must say that when it comes to Soya, you really do not know what you are talking abour. Sorry. But that is the only conclusion I can draw. So step back, do more thorough research before you do more damage.
Boomer12k says
July 25, 2011 at 2:12 amBette,
I eat Turkey. No hormone grown, etc….
Thanks.
Steve
Lori says
July 25, 2011 at 2:09 pmNatto is the best source of vitamin K2, but it can be made with black beans as well as soy beans. If one chooses not to eat natto (like me), then be sure to eat plenty of grass fed animals products like cultured full-fat dairy, organ meats, and other fermented vegetables.
I don’t think we can always compare the diet of different cultures. I read an article awhile back that talked about how western folks don’t have the same enzyme activity as eastern folks, and therefore we westerners may have trouble, not only with soy, but with sea vegetables as well.
I have a friend who’s a personal trainer and she says that the guys who choose soy protein over, say, whey or other animal proteins, have more trouble putting on muscle.
I agree with Bette – any nutrient value of soy can be achieved with other foods. And beth – do a food diary and look at the carbs first that you’re eating. Most Americans eat way to many grain products which are highly inflammatory and insulin producing, which can prevent us from losing weight. And be sure to get plenty of good fats for hormone support.
Anonymous says
July 24, 2011 at 8:10 amIs there any special process for making fermented soy? I would like to know, howto prepare fermented soy. And can it be eaten staight, as such?
Anonymous says
July 24, 2011 at 10:24 ami have had my thyroid removed, just calcium gland left etc,etc .
Tell me Bette what can I do to lose weight!!!!!!
nothing works and now I have bad blood pressure also.
earlier in life I had my tubes tied and later a full hysterectomy.
I would love any chance of hope Bette
beth greenwood
betted says
July 28, 2011 at 1:03 am#3, have you tried raw milk? I know that sounds strange to someone who is lactose intolerant, but back in the day, that’s how doctors cured all sorts of stomach and allergy issues. Of course, since raw milk comes loaded with nutrition, the FDA’s agin it.
betted says
July 28, 2011 at 1:09 am#5, garlic’s good at keeping your blood moving along. So are Vitamin E tocopherols and tocotrienols. And magnesium is a must; it relaxes blood vessels.
Aspirin’s not good. It can cause gastrointestinal bleeding, and i sucks nutrition out of us.
Vinpocetine is supposed to be good for brain function, for forgetfulness and the like, but I haven’t read a lot about vinpocetine vis a vis blood clots.
Same with curcumin in terms of blood clots.
Quercetin’s a great antioxidant, which is good since it fights inflammation–the cause of just about everything bad.
I haven’t read enough about capsaicin to comment.
jlw1969 says
August 11, 2011 at 5:24 pmThe ceyanne pepper we have in our spice rack is what Dr. Joseph Christopher took for many years of his life. One teaspoon in 6oz hot water followed with a tablesoon of wheat germ oil. As a young child, he suffered many health issues and was considered to be a sickly child. At 87 years of age, he slipped on a patch of ice at his home and died from extensive damage to his brain. At autopsy, his vascular system was that of a healthy teenage boy. It’s not easy. It takes determination and a stronge desire to be as healthy as possible in this world that is so totally confused by TV ads that are marketing stradegies to get their share of the money pie. Grass fed beef, free range poultry, wild caught fish with fins and scales, correctly grown produce, raw milk from jersey or guernsey cows. Holstein cows are common in America but the milk from these cows has an enzyme that causes mucus to form. My only source for raw milk comes from a family farm not far from my house that has Holsteins. I do have trouble with excess mucus from time to time. I would imagine that some family farms that sell raw milk are feeding their cows corn and soy beans. We have to ask. We cannot assume that because it’s raw, it’s free of corn or soy or hormones or antibiotics. Good luck with your crusade for better nutrition, People. I know how hard it can get sometimes.
Larry Chapman says
August 11, 2011 at 7:09 pmI can not agree with you about soy because I have been a soy consumer for alot of years as I
get my protein that way, I am vegetarian.
I have never encounterd any problems, my thyroid is healthy, my libido is healthy and because I
have digestion problems Soy is alkaline and
does not hurt my stomach. Sorry but I will continue to eat soy- tofu, soy protein of all
kinds.
jlw1969 says
August 11, 2011 at 10:22 pmThe article is specific, Larry, that not everyone is harmed by soy just like not all who smoke get cancer. My mother struggles every day from COPD from years of smoking. It’s not a sin to eat soy, there are just too many things happening to others who are consuming soy. My son does and he is not buying anything I would share with him. So be it. For me, I’m not going to risk it. I learned all I need to know about soy at http://www.westonaprice.org way before I read about it here. I hope you never have any problems with it.
willardf says
August 11, 2011 at 10:34 pmi wonder about the mind set of those who continue to do to themselves what others are warning against. is this just part of the “weeding-out” process of darwin’s “survival of the fittest” maxim?