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LETTER OF THE DAY - Not so fast, soy!
Published: Wednesday | July 6, 2011 0 Comments
THE EDITOR, Sir:
Dr Douglas Street's article in last Saturday's Gleaner, promoting the alleged health benefits of soy, 'Healthy or not?', ignores its many adverse health effects.
According to the independent research organisation, Soy Online Service, the phytoestrogens in unfermented soy (i.e., soy milk, soy formula and tofu) contribute to infertility in men and breast cancer in women. Soy infant formulas feminise boys because they prevent the natural testosterone surge that male infants experience in the first few months of life.
This surge, where male infants experience testosterone levels as high as adult males, programmes boys to express male characteristics after puberty. Male children exposed during gestation to diethylstilbestrol (DES), a synthetic oestrogen that has effects on animals similar to those of phytoestrogens from soy, had testes smaller than normal on maturation (Canadian Medical Association Journal 128(10):1197-8, May 15, 1983).
Soy also promotes premature puberty in girls. According to a study done in Puerto Rico in 1986, the most significant dietary association with premature sexual development was not chicken, but soy infant formula (American Journal of Diseases of Children 140(12):1263-1267, December 1986).
immune disorders
The phytic acid in soy reduces the bioavailability of iron and zinc, which are required for the development of the brain and nervous system. Soy also lacks cholesterol, which is also essential for brain and nervous system development. Additionally, soy contributes to immune disorders such as asthma, and irritable bowel syndrome.
The only soy with health benefits is [COLOR=blue! important][COLOR=blue! important]organic [COLOR=blue! important]soy[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR] that has been properly fermented to have the phytic acid removed. These products are tempeh, natto, miso and soy sauce. However, these products should be consumed in moderation, as they still have oestrogenic effects.
VINCENT HENRY
veescott@comcast.net Michigan, USA
Published: Wednesday | July 6, 2011 0 Comments
THE EDITOR, Sir:
Dr Douglas Street's article in last Saturday's Gleaner, promoting the alleged health benefits of soy, 'Healthy or not?', ignores its many adverse health effects.
According to the independent research organisation, Soy Online Service, the phytoestrogens in unfermented soy (i.e., soy milk, soy formula and tofu) contribute to infertility in men and breast cancer in women. Soy infant formulas feminise boys because they prevent the natural testosterone surge that male infants experience in the first few months of life.
This surge, where male infants experience testosterone levels as high as adult males, programmes boys to express male characteristics after puberty. Male children exposed during gestation to diethylstilbestrol (DES), a synthetic oestrogen that has effects on animals similar to those of phytoestrogens from soy, had testes smaller than normal on maturation (Canadian Medical Association Journal 128(10):1197-8, May 15, 1983).
Soy also promotes premature puberty in girls. According to a study done in Puerto Rico in 1986, the most significant dietary association with premature sexual development was not chicken, but soy infant formula (American Journal of Diseases of Children 140(12):1263-1267, December 1986).
immune disorders
The phytic acid in soy reduces the bioavailability of iron and zinc, which are required for the development of the brain and nervous system. Soy also lacks cholesterol, which is also essential for brain and nervous system development. Additionally, soy contributes to immune disorders such as asthma, and irritable bowel syndrome.
The only soy with health benefits is [COLOR=blue! important][COLOR=blue! important]organic [COLOR=blue! important]soy[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR] that has been properly fermented to have the phytic acid removed. These products are tempeh, natto, miso and soy sauce. However, these products should be consumed in moderation, as they still have oestrogenic effects.
VINCENT HENRY
veescott@comcast.net Michigan, USA
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