Dispelling
the “Joy of Soy” Myth
For several years soy has been revered as the darling of the food industry.
New studies have linked soy to rickets, goiters, reproductive disorders and
even cancer.
By Raquel Martin
A few decades ago, soybeans were not used as a food but were used instead, and
more appropriately, in crop rotation. However, the discovery of long periods
of fermentation has been found to be essential in transferring soy into a healthy
food. This process significantly reduces the phytate content of soybeans, as
well as the trypsin inhibitors that interfere with many vital enzymes and amino
acids. Fortunately, fermented soy such as tempeh, miso, natto, tamari and other
fermented soy products can provide nourishment that is easily assimilated.
When precipitated soy products like tofu are consumed with meat, the mineral-blocking
effects of the phytates are reduced.i However, when
consuming soy (tofu/bean curds) as a replacement for meat and dairy products,
mineral deficiencies occur. Such a diet can lead to an amino acid deficiency.ii
“Asian and Western children, who do not get enough meat and fish products
to counteract the effects of a high phytate diet, are subject to rickets, and
other growth problems.”iii Contrary to popular
opinion concerning the healthy effect of consuming soy food has on Asians, a New
York Times article (June 6, 1996) cited 100 million cases of goiters at present
in China.
We are told that soybeans are high in protein, but what we are not told is that
soybeans also block the action of the enzymes that are essential in digestion
of protein. Soy damages the enzymes that manufacture thyroid hormones, as well
as those enzymes essential to proper thyroid functioning.iv
v Besides this bad news, scientists have known for years that isoflavones
in soy products can cause enlarged thyroid glands (goiter)vi.
How are soy protein isolates (S.P.I) made? They are manufactured by mixing an
alkaline solution to it in order to remove fiber. A toxin called lysinoalanine
is formed during alkaline processing.vii Then it is
separated by adding an acid. This is done in aluminum tanks, which leach high
levels of aluminum into the final product. It is then spray-dried at high temperatures
to make a protein powder. Nitrites, which are potent carcinogens, are formed
during spray drying. A final indignity to this substance is brought on by the
use of additional high-temperature and pressure. This is what produces textured
soy protein. However when the soy is denatured in this way, the resulting product
becomes ineffective.viii And even though much of the
trypsin inhibitor content can be removed through high-temperature processing,
it’s note all removed during this processing. This remnant can vary as
much as fivefold.ix
This leftover anti-nutrient (a toxin) becomes more of a concern when MSG is
added in order to mask the unpleasant taste of this texturized soy product.
This in turn often creates more allergic reactions as well as a need to increase
vitamins E, K, D, B12, calcium, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, copper, iron
and of course, zinc.x The effect of mineral blocking
enzyme inhibitors in soy can result in any number of conditions, such as endocrine
disruption (goiters), reproductive disorders and allergic reactions.xi
Test animals fed soy protein isolates (SPI) develop enlarged thyroid, as well
as the enlargement of other glands, most particularly the pancreas. Their diets,
which are high in trypsin inhibitors, are also subjected to pathological conditions
of the pancreas, including cancer.xii A biochemical
pharmacology study confirms that fatigue, as well as goiter problems, are associated
with soy food.xiii
The National Center for Toxicological Research reports that soy isoflavones
(genistein and daidzein) “inhibit thyroid peroxidase-catalyzed reactions
essential to thyroid hormone synthesis.”xiv Japanese
researchers studied the effects of consuming as little as two tablespoons of
soybean a day. Even when healthy people were put on this diet for a short period
of time suppressed thyroid function and goiters developed, “especially
elderly subjects.”xv Infants have also been found
to suffer from hypothyroid problem when on a soybean diet.xvi
Another study confirms that autoimmune thyroid disease is linked to children
who have consumed soymilk formula on a regular basis.xvii
Doctors should be aware of the “potential interaction between soy infant
formula and thyroid function,”xviii says the New
Zealand Ministry of Health.
And a study comparing consumption of soy formula in non-diabetic children found
those who drank it, as infants were prone to diabetes.xix
Also, it is possible that allergies, so prevalent these days, may have been
exacerbated from consuming soy formula. For instance, “the amount of phytoestrogens
that are in a day’s worth of soy infant formula equals 5 birth control
pills,” says Mary G. Enig, Ph.D., president of the Maryland Nutritionists
Association. Nutritional experts believe that this high amount of phytoestrogens
can be linked with early puberty in girls and hinders physical maturation in
boys.xx In 1998, the FDA had even received warnings
from the British Government’s final account on phytoestrogens, about their
harmful reactions.xxi But for reasons beyond the consumer’s
knowledge FDA bureaucrats have engaged in a “rigorous approval process”
for S.P.I. However, we can now protect ourselves by learning more about what’s
behind all these inconsistent reports as we become more aware of the health
industry’s claims and political propaganda concerning food supplements.
Soy phytates reduce zinc and iron absorption. This is a concern because numerous
people, who are taking iron supplements due to low levels of this mineral, are
not realizing the cause of their iron deficiency. Soybeans have one of the highest
phytate levels of any grain or legume that has been studied,xxii
and even long periods of cooking at high temperatures will not completely eliminate
the phytate levels.xxiii Phytates (an organic acid found
within the outer portion of all seeds) block the absorption of essential minerals
(e.g. calcium, magnesium, iron, and especially zinc. This is a concern because
high levels of zinc are needed in the brain, especially the hippocampus. Zinc
plays an important role in the transmission of the nerve impulse between brain
cells. Deficiency in zinc can be serious, as it’s needed in the development
of brain, immune and nervous system functioning. It also plays a role in collagen
formation and protein synthesis, as well as our blood-sugar control mechanism
and other systems in the body.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Food &
Nutrition Research Briefs (July 1997) provides information showing how changes
in zinc intake can affect cognitive function.xxiv This
suggests the importance of zinc in the pathological functioning of the cerebral
cortex.xxv Furthermore, age-related zinc deficiency
in cells may contribute to brain cell death in Alzheimer’s dementia.xxvi
Congenital abnormalities in an infant’s nervous system can be caused by
a deficiency of zinc during pregnancy and lactation. In children, “insufficient
levels of zinc have been associated with lowered learning ability, apathy, lethargy,
and mental retardation.”xxvii The USDA references
a study of 372 Chinese school children with very low levels of zinc in their
bodies. The children who received zinc supplements had the most improved performance—especially
in perception, memory, reasoning, and psychomotor skills such as eye-hand coordination.
“Both phytate and soy protein reduce iron absorption so that the iron
in soy foods is generally poorly absorbed.”xxviii
As early as 1967, researchers found soy formula to have a negative effect on
zinc absorption and also a strong correlation between phytate content and poor
growth. Author Sally Fallon warns “a reduced rate of growth is especially
serious in the infant as it causes a delay in the accumulation of lipids in
the myelin, and hence jeopardizes the development of the brain and nervous system.”xxix
It has even been found to increase the deposition of fatty acids in the liver.xxx
Soy and Cancer
The promotional health claims about soy products that come from vitamin/food
manufacturer’s ads and multi-level marketers is then passed on to medical
doctors, as well as the media and are received as gospel truth. Is this how
we, the consumer, want to obtain information that will affect our future health?
Some of the hype about soy alleges to aid in weight loss, protect the heart,
prevent female discomforts and the list goes on. One piece of literature from
a vitamin company goes so far as to state that the “Japanese, who eat
30 times as much soy as North Americans, have a lower incidence of cancers of
the breast, uterus and prostate.”xxxi I have not
found clinical studies to back this up and if it is true, it should also be
pointed out that these Asians and Japanese have a higher rate of other kinds
of cancer (esophagus, stomach, pancreas and liver).xxxii
xxxiii Other literature confirms that a high rate of thyroid cancer is linked
to soy consumption.xxxiv
In a 1996 study, researchers discovered that women who consumed the soy protein
isolates had a greater risk of experiencing abnormally excessive cell growth,
a symptom that can be a predecessor to malignancies.xxxv
A study called “Dietary Estrogens Stimulate Human Breast Cells to Enter
the Cell Cycle,” led researchers to conclude that women should not consume
soy products, thinking that they were preventing breast cancer, when in fact
dietary genistein found in soy food actually stimulates breast cell growth xxxvi
In fact, according to Cancer Research “Genistein…is more carcinogenic
than DES.”xxxvii That’s right DES the drug
that caused death and disfigurement for countless women.
Additionally, it takes a mere 45 mg of isoflavones in premenopausal women to
create a biological effect that will cause a reduction in hormones needed for
proper thyroid activity. Numerous women are on thyroid medication, yet at the
same time they are increasing their soy intake. The two seem to be defeating
each other’s purposes. Other problems concerning a diet rich in soy food
are highlighted from animal studies at Brigham Young University’s Neuroscience
Center. Researchers found that consumption of phytoestrogens from soy for a
relatively short interval can significantly elevate estrogen levels in the brain
and can interfere with and thus decrease calcium-binding proteins in the brain.xxxviii
Athletes should be aware that the “soy protein” drinks they are
consuming in order to build muscle tissue, may actually cause muscle protein
breakdown.xxxix Take a look at some of the studies,
such as the British Journal of Nutrition, which correlates strongly to weight-training
athletes, whose diets consist of inferior soy protein, which may increase protein
breakdown in skeletal muscle. Soybean protein isolates were given to pigs for
fifteen weeks. Cortisol levels began to rise after their morning meal. Soy meals
were causing the body to break down muscle protein in order for it to get its
required amino acids.xl
This soy fad is resulting in numerous physiological abnormalities. Shocking
news on this subject comes from investigations made by toxicologist, Mike Fitzpatrick,
Ph.D., who confirms the facts that soy consumption has been linked to disorders,
such as infertility and leukemia, and that soy foods are highly estrogenic.
In 1992, the Swiss health service estimated that 299 grams of soy protein provided
the estrogenic equivalent of the Pill.xli In fact other
studies suggest that isoflavones inhibit synthesis of estradiol and other steroid
hormones as well.xlii xliii But soy food can be very
disruptive as their isoflavones, genistein and diadzen, can create endocrine
dysfunction.
Elaine Hollingsworth in her book Take Control of Your Health and Escape the
Sickness Industry says, “Soybeans contain Hemagglutinin, a clot-promoting
substance that causes red blood cells to clump together. These clustered blood
cells are unable to properly absorb oxygen for distribution to the body’s
tissues, which can damage the heart.”xliv In his
classic book, A Cancer Therapy - Results of 50 Cases, (p. 237) Dr. Charlotte
Gerson warns to stay away from soy products. “Genistein, a component of
soy, is more carcinogenic than DES.”xlv
Hollingsworth says: “Increased level of tofu consumption was found to
be associated with indications of brain atrophy and cognitive impairment in
later life. They even found, at autopsy, swelling of the brain cavities and
a decrease in brain weight among heavy tofu eaters.xlvi
“ Few people are aware that most soil contains aluminium. It is one of
the most prevalent minerals, but it doesn’t affect most crops. Soy, however,
has an affinity for aluminium and extracts it from the soil and concentrates
it in the beans. This contamination is exacerbated by the aluminium tanks, which
are used in the acid wash soy, is subjected to. So, when you ingest soy in any
form, you also ingest aluminium, known for causing many health problems.”
xlvii
It seems like we, the consumer, have been duped by the producers and their ad
campaigns regarding the so-called “health” benefits obtained from
soy products. Dr. Joseph Mercola tells us that the propaganda, from so many
sources in the industry, has spread like a wild fire; and that this aggressive
publicity is just another “nail in the coffin…” concerning
a food that is not “designed to be eaten.”xlviii
Never has there been a mention of the many studies that demonstrate the toxicity
to our thyroid, liver or endocrine glands.xlix
Portions of this article have been excerpted from The Estrogen Alternative
and Preventing Arthritis naturally: The Untold Story by Raquel Martin. (Healing
Arts Press, 2004)
Raquel Martin is the author of:
End
Notes
i Sandstrom, B. et al., “Effect of protein level and protein source on
zinc absorption in humans”, Journal of Nutrition 119(1): 48-53, January
1989; Tait, Susan et al., “The availability of minerals in food, with
particular reference to iron”, Journal of Research in Society and Health
103(2): 74-77, April 1983.
ii Enig MG, Fallon SA, Tragedy and Hype, The Third International Soy Symposium.
Nexus Magazine, Vol. 7, No. 3, April-May 2000.
iii Martin, R., Gerstung, J, The Estrogen Alternative: Natural Hormone Therapy
with Botanical Progesterone (Foreword by John Hart, M.D.) (4th Ed. 2004 in print)
Healing Arts Press, Rochester, Vt. Citing: Mellanby, Edward, “Experimental
rickets: The effect of cereals and their interaction with other factors of diet
and environment in producing rickets”, Journal of the Medical Research
Council 93:265, March 1925; Wills, M.R. et al., “Phytic Acid and Nutritional
Rickets in Immigrants”, The Lancet, April 8,1972, pp. 771-773.
iv Ishizuki, Y. et al., “The Effects on the Thyroid Gland of Soybeans
Administered Experimentally in Healthy Subjects”, Nippon Naibunpi Gakkai
Zasshi (1991) 767:622-629.
v Doerge, Daniel R., “Inactivation of Thyroid Peroxidase by Genistein
and Daidzein in Vitro and in Vivo; Mechanism for Anti-Thyroid Activity of Soy”,
presented at the November 1999 Soy Symposium in Washington, DC, National Center
for Toxicological Research, Jefferson, AR 72029, USA.
viDrane, H.M. et al., “Oestrogenic Activity of Soya-Bean Products”,
Food, Cosmetics and Technology (1980) 18:425-427.
vii Rackis et al., ibid., p. 22; Rackis, et al., “Evaluation of the Health
Aspects of Soy Protein Isolates as Food Ingredients”, prepared for FDA
by Life Sciences Research Office, Federation of American Societies for Experimental
Biology (9650 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20014), USA, Contract No. FDA 223-75-2004,
1979.
viii Wallace, G.M., “Studies on the Processing and Properties of Soymilk”,
Journal of Science and Food Agriculture, 22:526-535, October 1971.
ix Rackis et al., ibid
x Rackis, Joseph, J., “Biological and Physiological Factors in Soybeans”,
Journal of the American Oil Chemists’ Society, 51:161A-170A, January 1974.
xi “Food Labeling: Health Claims: Soy Protein and Coronary Heart Disease,”
Food and Drug Administration 21 CFR, Part 101 (Docket No. 98P-0683).
xii Rackis, Joseph J. et al., “The USDA trypsin inhibitor study. I. Background,
objectives and procedural details”, Qualification of Plant Foods in Human
Nutrition, vol. 35, 1985. p. 232.
xiii Martin, R., Gerstung, J, The Estrogen Alternative: Natural Hormone Therapy
with Botanical Progesterone (Foreword by John Hart, M.D.) (4th Ed. 2004 in print)
Healing Arts Press, Rochester, Vt. Citing: Divi, RL, Chang HC, Doerge, DR, “Anti-thyroid
Isoflavones from Soybean: Isolation, Characterization, and Mechanisms of Action,”
Biochem. Pharmacol., 1997 Nov 15; 54(10):1087-96.
xiv Ibid: Divi, RL, Chang HC, Doerge, DR, “Anti-thyroid Isoflavones from
Soybean: Isolation, Characterization, and Mechanisms of Action,” Biochem.
Pharmacol.
xv Ishizuki, Y, Hirooka, Y, Murata, Y, Togashi, K, “The Effects on the
Thyroid Gland of Soybeans Administered Experimentally in Healthy Subjects,”
Nippon Naibunpi Gakkai Zasshi 1991 May 20; 67(5): 622-29.
xvi Shepard TH, Soybean goiter. New Eng J Med 1960; 262:1099-1103.
xvii Fort P, Moses N, Fusion, M, Goldberg, T, Leftists, F, “Breast and
Soy-Formula Feedings in Early Infancy and the Prevalence of Autoimmune Thyroid
Disease in Children,” J Am Coll Nutr 1990 Apr; 9(2): 164-67.
xviii Regulatory Guidance in Other Countries: New Zealand Ministry of Health
Position Statement on Soy Formulas (Adobe Acrobat file).
xix Fort P, Lanes R, Dahlem, S, Recker, B, Weyman-Daum, M, Pugliese, M, Lifshitz,
FJ, “Breast-feeding and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in children,”
Am Coll Nutr 1986; 5(5): 439-41.
xx Martin, R., Gerstung, J, The Estrogen Alternative: Natural Hormone Therapy
with Botanical Progesterone (Foreword by John Hart, M.D.) (4th Ed. 2004 in print)
Healing Arts Press, Rochester, Vt. Citing: “Soy Infant Formula Could Be
Harmful to Infants: Groups Want it Pulled,” Nutrition Week, Dec 10, 1999;
29(46): 1-2.
xxi “IEH Assessment on Phytoestrogens in the Human Diet,” Final
Report to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, UK, November 1997,
p. 11.
xxii El Tiney, A.H., “Proximate Composition and Mineral and Phytate Contents
of Legumes Grown in Sudan”, Journal of Food Composition and Analysis (1989)
2:6778.
xxiii Ologhobo, A.D. et al., “Distribution of phosphorus and phytate in
some Nigerian varieties of legumes and some effects of processing”, Journal
of Food Science 49(1): 199-201, January/February 1984.
xxiv U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Food &
Nutrition Research Briefs, July 1997.
xxv Frederickson, CJ, Suh, SW, Silva, D, Frederickson, CJ, Thompson, RB, “Importance
of Zinc in the Central Nervous System: The Zinc-containing Neuron,” J
Nutr 2000 May; 130(5S Suppl): 1471S-83S.
xxvi Ho, LH, Ratnaike, RN, Zalewski, PD, “Involvement of Intracellular
Labile Zinc in Suppression of DEVD-Caspase Activity in Human Neuroblastoma Cells,”
Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 2000 Feb 5; 268(1): 148-54.
xxvii Pfeiffer CC, Braverman, E.R., “Zinc, The brain and behavior,”
Biol Psychiatry, 1982 Apr; 17(4): 513-32.
xxviii Soy Nutritive Content, United Soybean Board. Enig, M. G., Fallon, S.A.,
“Tragedy and Hype, The Third International Soy Symposium,” Nexus
Magazine Vol. 7, No 3, April-May 2000. Enig, Mary G. and Sally Fallon, “The
Oiling of America”, NEXUS Magazine, December 1998-January 1999 and February-March
1999; also available at www.WestonAPrice.org.
xxix Sally Fallon, Nourishing Traditions: The Cookbook that Challenges Politically
Correct Nutrition and The Diet Dictocrats, 2nd edition, New Trends Publishing,
1999.
xxx Rackis, Joseph J. et al., “The USDA trypsin inhibitor study. I. Background,
objectives and procedural details”, Qualification of Plant Foods in Human
Nutrition, vol. 35, 1985.
xxxi Natural Medicine News (L & H Vitamins, 32-33 47th Avenue, Long Island
City, NY 11101), USA, January/February 2000, p. 8.
xxxii Harras, Angela (ed.), Cancer Rates and Risks, National Institutes of Health,
National Cancer Institute, 1996, 4th edition; AND Rackis, Joseph J. et al.,
“The USDA trypsin inhibitor study. I. Background, Objectives and Procedural
Details”, Qualification of Plant Foods in Human Nutrition, vol. 35, 1985.
xxxiii Rackis, Joseph J. et al., “The USDA trypsin inhibitor study. I.
Background, objectives and procedural details”, Qualification of Plant
Foods in Human Nutrition, vol. 35, 1985.
xxxiv Searle, Charles E. (ed.), Chemical Carcinogens, ACS Monograph 173, American
Chemical Society, Washington, DC, 1976.
xxxv Petrakis, N.L. et al., “Stimulatory Influence of Soy Protein Isolate
on Breast Secretion in Pre- and Post-Menopausal Women”, Cancer Epid. Bio.
Prev. (1996) 5:785-794
xxxvi Dees, C. et al., “Dietary estrogens stimulate human breast cells
to enter the cell cycle”, Environmental Health Perspectives (1997) 105(Suppl.
3): 633-636.
xxxvii Cancer Research, June 1, 2001 - 61 (11): 4325-8.
xxxviii Lephart, E.D., Thompson, J.M., Setchell, K.D., Adlercreutz H, Weber
KS, Phytoestrogens decrease brain calcium-binding proteins... Brain Res., (2000
Mar) 17; 859(1): 123-31.
xxxix Martin, R., Gerstung, J, The Estrogen Alternative: Natural Hormone Therapy
with Botanical Progesterone, (4th Ed.) Healing Arts Press, Rochester, Vt. (2004
in print) Citing: Lohrke, B. “Activation of Skeletal Muscle Protein Breakdown
Following Consumption of Soybean Protein in Pigs,” Br J Nutr, 2001 Apr;
85 (4): 447-57.
xl Lohrke, B. “Activation of Skeletal Muscle Protein Breakdown Following
Consumption of Soybean Protein in Pigs,” Br J Nutr, 2001 Apr; 85 (4):
447-57.
xli Bulletin de L’Office Fédéral de la Santé Publique,
No. 28, July 20, 1992.
xlii Keung, W.M., “Dietary Oestrogenic Isoflavones are Potent Inhibitors
of B-hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase of P. Testosteronii”, Biochemical and
Biophysical Research Committee (1995) 215:1137-1144.
xliii Makela, S.I. et al., “Estrogen-specific 12 B-Hydroxysteroid Oxidoreductase
Type 1 (E.C. 1.1.1.62) as a Possible Target for the Action of Phytoestrogens”,
PSEBM (1995) 208:51-59.
xliv Elaine Hollingsworth, “Take Control of Your Health and Escape the
Sickness Industry”(6th edition) Empowerment Press International. Australia,
2000, http://www.doctorsaredangerous.com citing Charlotte Gerson, of the Gerson
Cancer Clinic in the U.S.A., Gerson Healing Newsletter.
xlv (Cancer Research, June 1, 2001, 61(11): 4325-8).
xlvi Ibid: Hollingsworth, “Take Control of Your Health and Escape the
Sickness Industry,” cited in Journal Of The American College Of Nutrition,
April, 2000, and reprinted in Dr. William Campbell Douglass’ Second Opinion
Newsletter.
xlvii Ibid: Hollingsworth, “Take Control of Your Health and Escape the
Sickness Industry.”
xlviii http://www.mercola.com/fcgi/pf/2004/jan/21/soy.htm
xlix Setchell, K.D.R. et al., “Dietary oestrogens - a probable cause of
infertility and liver disease in captive cheetahs”, Gastroenterology (1987)
93:225-233; Leopold, A.S., “Phytoestrogens: Adverse effects on reproduction
in California Quail,” Science (1976) 191:98-100; Kimura, S. et al., “Development
of Malignant Goiter by Defatted Soybean with Iodine-free Diet in Rats”,
Gann. (1976) 67:763-765; Pelissero, C. et al., “Oestrogenic Effect of
Dietary Soybean Meal on Vitellogenesis in Cultured Siberian Sturgeon Acipenser
baeri”.
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