Myths and Truths about Soy

Soy, how's it goin' ?
One of the most widely farmed and most controversial foods right now seems to be Soy, so I'd like to take on this topic today. Many people , including manywell meaning health professionals, natural food employees etc are still on the Soy bandwagon, and yet there is growing evidence that Soy is not all it's cracked up to be. My research has lead me away from the soy train and so today I'd like to share some of the myths and truths of Soy that I have learned of. Then you can judge for yourselves if you are a fan or not, of Soy.
Myth: Soy has been used for thousands of years
Truth: Soy was first used as a food during the late Chou dynasty (1134-246 BC) after the Chinese learned to ferment soy beans to make foods like tempeh & tamari.
Myth: Asians consume large amounts of soy .
Truth: Soy consumption in Japan and China averages about 2 teaspoons / day. Asians consume fermented soy in small amounts as a condiment, not as a replacement for animal foods.
Myth: Modern soy foods have the same benefits as traditionally fermented soy.
Truth: Most modern soy foods aren't fermented to neutralize toxins in soybeans, and are processed in a way that increases levels of carcinogens.
Myth: Soy is a complete protein.
Truth: Like all legumes, soy beans are deficient in sulfur-containing amino acids . In addition, modern processing denatures fragile lysine.
Myth: Fermented soy foods provide vitamin B12 in vegetarian diets.
Truth: The compound that resembles vitamin B12 in soy not only can't be used by the human bodybut soy also causes the body to require more B12
Myth: Soy formula is safe & healthy for babies.
Truth: Soy foods inhibit protein digestion and affect the proper functioning of the pancreas. In test animals, diets high in trypsin inhibitors led to stunted growth and pancreatic disorders. Soy foods also increase the body's requirement for vitamin D, needed for strong bones and normal growth. Phytic acid in soy food sreduces availabilty of iron and zinc which are needed for the development of the brain and nervous system. Soy also lacks cholesterol, which is also essential for brain and nervous system development . Large doses of phytoestrogens in soy formula have been implicated in premature sexual development in girls and delayed development in boys.
Myth: Soy can prevent osteoporosis.
Truth: Soy 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.
Myth: soy protects against many types of cancer.
Truth: 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 may result in an increased risk of cancer.
Myth: Soy protects against heart disease.
Truth: In some people, soy foods will lower cholesterol, but there is no proof that lowering cholesterol improves one's risk of having heart disease.
Myth: Soy estrogens are good for you.
Truth: Soy estrogens are phyto-endocrine disrupters. They can prevent ovulation and stimulate the growth of cancer cells. Eating as little as 4 tablespoons of soy / day may even result in hypothyroidism with symptoms of fatigue, constipation and weight gain
Myth: Soy beans are good for the environment.
Truth: Most soy beans grown in the USA are genetically modified so that farmers can use large amounts of herbicides.
Myth: Soy beans are good for 'Third world countries' in need of food.
Truth: In third world countries, soybean crops replace their traditional crops and transfer the profit from processing, from the local people to huge, multinational corporations
To find out more about Soy, check out www.westonaprice.org
I'd also like to say thanks to everyone for your questions & suggestions...I'll try to get to them all as soon as I can. Next time...the benefits of yogurt !