I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but soy is NOT a health food nor your friend. And it’s most definitely not a heart healthy or “good for your thyroid” food either.
Soy not only disrupts hormones by mimicking estrogen in your body but it also causes inflammation, contributes to leaky gut syndrome and most likely has been genetically modified (GMO).
Have you noticed the “heart healthy” label from the American Heart Association on soy products? This friendly heart symbol is the result of the US Food and Drug Association deciding about 20 years ago upon some research that soy can lower the risk of heart disease. Sure, it can decrease and lower ‘so-called” bad cholesterol on a very small percentage scale but they fail to tell you the other side to the story.
Soy not only disrupts hormones by mimicking estrogen in your body but it also causes inflammation, contributes to leaky gut syndrome and most likely has been genetically modified (GMO).
In their assessment from 19 out of the 46 studies it showed a decrease in ‘so-called” bad cholesterol but did you know that it’s been proven that many elderly women who had higher cholesterol levels actually lived longer!
(On a side note: After my husband had his heart attack. Yes, it is in his genetic makeup and yes, he was eating badly. His father had 3 heart attacks before the last one killed my father in law. His heart doctor wanted my husband on statin medication and my husband is one of those people who takes what the doctor prescribes but I had to show him, argue with him, plead with him and show him the research where statin drugs were not for him. Now, to this day. He thanks me for being so persistent to his stubbornness. Statin drugs have been pushed on people to lower their cholesterol levels saying it can lower your chances of a heart attack and stroke but no one not even the doctors were telling people what horrible life altering even death in some cases side effects these ‘statin” drugs were having on people. They have been linked to muscle pain, digestive problems, mental fuzziness, liver damage and even death. Do the medications really benefit the person? You must ask yourself. Is it worth the risk? That is your call completely but you can naturally lower your cholesterol if it bothered you with your diet or if it were having an adverse impact on your life… NATURALLY lower it without medication.
You see this friendly heart symbol on unhealthy boxes of cereals, packaged soy milk, edamame, vegetable oils, tofu, High-protein energy bars and snacks or even soy burgers at any given American grocery store. Companies can also take advantage and misuse this heart healthy symbol if they include soy protein on the ingredient list on their highly over processed food aka crap! There is a new trend of soy-based products like the Impossible burger and many more Americans are drinking less cow’s milk and more plant based milks.
Once you begin to read labels then you will start noticing how many companies sneak in soy in the ingredient list.
Brilliant marketing campaigns have lead you to believe that soy products are healthy but in fact it’s completely the opposite.
Soy is cheap to use and it seems to be in everything!
For centuries, Asian people have been consuming fermented soy products such as natto, tempeh, fermented soy sauce, and enjoying the health benefits but there is a difference between real, organic, traditionally fermented soy and unfermented soy. Fermented soy does not wreak havoc on your body like unfermented soy products do and unfermented soy is cheap.
The other issue with soy is that most soy today contains something called phytoestrogens, and these phytoestrogens are estrogen mimickers in the body. And so, if you’re a male consuming extra estrogen, it’s going to give you more feminine characteristics.
If you’re a woman consuming foods that increase estrogen levels, it’s going to increase your risk of breast cancer, cervical cancer, PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) and other hormone imbalance-related disorders.
Many have switched to soy milk because they felt they needed a diary substitute since they couldn’t tolerate dairy. Actually your body was doing you an even bigger favor. Cow milk was made for cow’s not humans. We’ve been lied to again. You don’t need milk from cows to get vitamin d! Vitamin D is added to the cow’s milk. You can naturally get your daily dose of vitamin d from 15 minutes of sunlight each day.
There are some chemicals such as isoflavones, found in soy products like soy milk or edamame, that will halter and intercept your thyroid’s ability to make hormones if you’re not getting enough iodine.
Soybeans are one of the crops that are being genetically modified. Since 1997 GMO soybeans are being used in an increasing number of products.
Dr. Kaayla Daniel, author of The Whole Soy Story, points out thousands of studies linking soy to malnutrition, digestive distress, immune-system breakdown, thyroid dysfunction, cognitive decline, reproductive disorders and infertility—even cancer and heart disease. Here is just a sampling of the health effects that have been linked to soy consumption:
Breast cancer
Brain damage
Infant abnormalities
Thyroid disorders
Kidney stones
Immune system impairment
Severe, potentially fatal food allergies
Impaired fertility
Danger during pregnancy and nursing
My final thoughts on Soy are: Soy is terrible – avoid it like the black plague. It contains trypsin inhibitors, is a source of xenoestrogens, even if it’s organic, it comes with a lot of glyphosate and other pesticide residues and will mimic estrogen in your body plus cause inflammation, contributes to leaky gut syndrome and most likely have been genetically modified (GMO).
Personally, I find coconut aminos are a healthier alternative.
A Women’s Holistic Holy Grail Handbook for Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s: How I healed my Hypothyroidism and Autoimmune Disorder with Personalized Nutrition
Disclaimer
The information and recipes contained in blog is based upon the research and the personal experiences of the author. It’s for entertainment purposes only. Every attempt has been made to provide accurate, up to date and reliable information. No warranties of any kind are expressed or implied. Readers acknowledge that the author is not engaging in the rendering of legal, financial, medical or professional advice. By reading this blog, the reader agrees that under no circumstance the author is not responsible for any loss, direct or indirect, which are incurred by using this information contained within this blog. Including but not limited to errors, omissions or inaccuracies. This blog is not intended as replacements from what your health care provider has suggested. The author is not responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of any of the suggestions, preparations or procedures discussed in this blog. All matters pertaining to your health should be supervised by a health care professional. I am not a doctor, or a medical professional. This blog is designed for as an educational and entertainment tool only. Please always check with your health practitioner before taking any vitamins, supplements, or herbs, as they may have side-effects, especially when combined with medications, alcohol, or other vitamins or supplements. Knowledge is power, educate yourself and find the answer to your health care needs. Wisdom is a wonderful thing to seek. I hope this blog will teach and encourage you to take leaps in your life to educate yourself for a happier & healthier life. You have to take ownership of your health.
References:
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/jun/10/personalised-diets-diabetes-obesity-heart
http://newsite.personalnutrition.org/WebSite/Home.aspx
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