For the last several years I have found the hype and debate surrounding soy to be rather fascinating. Someday I want to delve into focused research on the merits and perils of ingesting soy…for now, I’m just paying attention to the info that comes my way.
Here are some soy-related quotes I came across in my reading a couple of weeks ago. If you don’t feel like sorting through the wordy quotations, you can “take a peek” into the soy controversy just by reading the sections in bold.
My quotes are taken from “What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Hypothyroidism” by Ken Blanchard, M.D. Ph.D. While the quotes raise awareness of the soy issue they are from the slant of dealing specifically with the thyroid.
“Health food sages often extol the miraculous health benefits of soy: lowering the risk of osteoporosis, heart disease, cancer, and other maladies. While recognizing its potential, researchers are concerned about the hyperbole surrounding its role in a healthful diet. Experts question the safety of ingesting high doses of phytoestrogen, a mysterious ingredient that is now under local and national investigation. The claims swing wildly. One researcher espouses its value as a natural, nontoxic regimen. Others, especially those concerned about thyroid health, see it as a threat to the thyroid – especially in infants on soy formula.” (page 189)
“Not all of the soybean is bad, according to experts. Just the isoflavone portion – the part extolled by health gurus for its ability to prevent heart attack and reduce menopausal symptoms. Isoflavones are endocrine disrupters. Endocrine disrupters interfere with the endocrine system by acting like hormones and faking out the immune system. You might also hear about flavenoids, which is the family name for chemicals that include isoflavones (and bioflavonoids). On the flip side, these chemicals are known as goitrogens. Goitrogens fasten to iodine molecules in the gut – and steal iodine from T4 or T3. As a result, thyroid hormone levels are reduced.” (page 189)
“The concerns about soy are widespread and fairly well publicized. The TV news show 20/20 picked up on the issue when two FDA soy experts, Daniel Doerge and Daniel Sheehan, wrote a letter in 1999 protesting the health claims for soy approved by the FDA. Here’s an excerpt from the letter:
“…there is abundant evidence that some of the isoflavones found in soy…demonstrate toxicity in estrogen sensitive tissues and in the thyroid. This is true for a number of species, including humans. Additionally, isoflavones are inhibitors of the thyroid peroxidase which makes T3 and T4. Inhibition can be expected to generate thyroid abnormalities, including goiter and autoimmune thyroiditis. There exists a significant body of animal data that demonstrates goitrogenic and even carcinogenic effects of soy products. Moreover, there are significant reports of goitrogenic effects from soy consumption in human infants and adults.” (page 189 -190)
“The negative claims against soy are dramatic. One woman asserted that eating a high-tofu diet for just a few days a week set her menstrual periods off balance for three months. Faster brain aging, infertility, lower libido, and autoimmune problems (later in life among infants drinking soy formula) are just some of the reported problems, which many clinical authorities and, of course, the very profitable soy industry are disputing. If you’re hypothyroid, should you believe the bad hype about soy? The controversy rages and the jury is still out. In the meantime, it behooves you to limit your daily intake of this known goitrogen, as well as others.” (page 190)
As always, educate yourself.
It’s your health.
natural living gone simple 