The soybean is publicized as a versatile food that is readily transformed into substitutes for ice cream and meat. Because it is a relatively inexpensive product, it also has been touted as a way to help eliminate world hunger. However, there are many misconceptions about the health benefits of soy, and it’s time you know the truth.
Here are five reasons you should avoid using soybeans and soy products in your diet:
Fact 1: Soy increases your toxic load. Soybean crops are among the most heavily sprayed, and their high pesticide content increases your body’s already overwhelming toxic load. Further, during processing the aluminum content of soy foods skyrockets, which can damage the kidneys and nervous system. Processing also produces lysinoalanine, which can cause kidney damage; and nitrosamines, which are carcinogenic.
Fact 2: Soy may cause hypothyroidism. Soy contains goitrogens, which are compounds that can lead to hypothyroidism and increase the risk of thyroid cancer. These compounds have been linked to autoimmune thyroid disorders in people who were fed soy milk as infants. Soy is what functional medicine practitioners call a phytoendocrine disrupter because it interferes with thyroid function by inhibiting thyroid peroxidase, an enzyme that is essential for the synthesis of the T3 and T4 hormones. The harmful effects of this interference include obesity, intolerance to cold, low blood pressure, strength loss and sluggishness.
Fact 3: Soy blocks mineral absorption. Soy has a high content of antioxidant compounds called phytates, which are known to inhibit the absorption of both macro-minerals (such as calcium and magnesium) and trace minerals (such as iron and zinc). The more phytates in a child’s diet, the greater the incidence of growth problems. Unfortunately, there is no way to diminish the phytic acid content of soy by sprouting, soaking or slow cooking it.
Fact 4: Soy consumption is linked to attention deficit disorder (ADD). Soy-based infant formulas are linked to ADD. These products contain 80 times more manganese than breast milk contains, and too much manganese content is linked to neurotoxicity.
Fact 5: Soy increases cardiovascular stress. Hemagglutinin is found in soybeans. This compound is known to make red blood cells aggregate, which means they bind together in masses. Aggregation compromises blood flow and increases cardiovascular stress.
These are all good reasons to eliminate or at least reduce your consumption of soy. However, you will be facing a challenge because soy is an ingredient in so many food products, such as ice cream, pasta, bread, margarine, fast-food hamburgers and even vegetable oil. To help you get started on a soy-free lifestyle and to learn more about the risks of soy, I highly recommend Dr. Kaayla Daniel’s book, The Whole Soy Story. It will make you rethink the propaganda that promotes soy as a health food.
