Soy is not the miracle life saver a new report makes it out to be

This “miracle” is a molehill

Men, at your next checkup, don’t be surprised if your doctor gives you the good news: Soy protein is a blood-sugar-controlling, heart-disease-preventing, testosterone-boosting miracle food!

And here’s the best way to respond to that newsflash: “Nope. Nope. And nope.”

I’ve just read a press release about a new soy study, and guess what? Apparently the only thing soy DOESN’T do is leap tall buildings in a single bound. I mean, press releases tend to play up the positive, but this one reads like an advertising pitch hyped up on way too many Red Bulls.

UK researchers say they wanted to see if soy phytoestrogens caused testosterone levels to drop in diabetic men with low T. Not only did soy improve blood sugar, it also increased testosterone. It’s a miracle! Back up the soy bean truck and let’s get this party started.

Well…not so fast.

The men in this small study got all the big benefits with 30 grams of soy per day. And coincidentally that’s exactly the daily dose that Weston A. Price Foundation researchers link to hypothyroidism, with symptoms such as weight gain, fatigue, and constipation.

The new UK study only lasted 12 weeks. But researchers at Weston A. Price have been studying soy since the 90s. Their long term results tell a much different story. Here are a few highlights…

* Soy contains high levels of phytic acid, which reduces your body’s assimilation of important minerals, including calcium, magnesium, and zinc.
* Soy (a famous source of protein) can actually interfere with protein digestion.
* Soy increases your body’s requirement of vitamin B12, which is essential for nerve health, cognitive function, and shingles prevention.
* Soy increases your body’s requirement for vitamin D.
* Soy contains too much aluminum, which is toxic to your kidneys and nervous system.

As I’ve mentioned before, fermented soy products such as miso, tamari, natto, and tempeh don’t cause the same problems as soy protein, which is used in a gazillion processed foods. But even with fermented soy, there’s an added danger that begins at the source.

Nearly all the soy produced in the U.S. is grown from genetically modified seeds. That means almost all of it is drenched in Roundup weed killer. In case you missed it, you can click on this link to read how the colossal health blunder of Roundup is unfolding.

As a nutritionally oriented physician, Dr. Wright doesn’t think much of soy. Here’s his take on it: “Unlike other vegetables that you can pick and eat, soy is not suitable for human consumption unless it undergoes extensive processing, involving chemical extractions, fermentation, and high temperatures.” (Go here to read Dr. Wright’s specific warning for women who eat soy.)

For years, Dr. Wright has recommended caution in soy consumption until the debate is resolved. But don’t let anyone tell you this new study resolves it. It just adds more pie in the sky nonsense.

Sources:

Soy Supplements Appear to be Safe, Beneficial in Diabetic Men
(bloomberg.com)

Confused About Soy?–Soy Dangers Summarized
(westonaprice.org)