Is Soy Healthy from London Ontario Chiropractor?
As a chiropractor focused on helping our practice members lead healthy, balanced lives, I’ve noticed that there’s a lot of confusion surrounding soy. Many people wonder whether it’s a good choice for their health or if it poses risks. At LifeHouse Chiropractic, we aim to provide clarity on topics that impact your overall well-being, and that’s why we’re sorting out the facts about soy. Together, we’ll explore the pros and cons so you can make informed decisions that support your health goals.
The Soy Debate: Superfood or Risk?
Is soy healthy from London Ontario chiropractor? Soy has become one of the most controversial foods. Some tout it as a superfood, while others warn of its hormone-disrupting potential. The question is, what’s the truth? Let’s take a closer look at soy, particularly from a health-conscious viewpoint.
The Science Behind Soy
Is soy healthy from London Ontario chiropractor? The reality is that soy may not be as healthy as many believe. Research suggests that the risks of consuming unfermented soy products often outweigh the benefits.
The Concerns About Soy
My response to “Is soy healthy from London Ontario chiropractor?” is, there are five main reasons why unfermented soy should be avoided:
- Genetically Modified (GMO) – Over 90% of conventional soybeans grown in the US are genetically modified to withstand toxic pesticides like glyphosate (Roundup). This exposes the soybeans to harmful chemicals.[1]
- Goitrogens – Unfermented soybeans contain “goitrogens,” which hinder thyroid function. [2] When the thyroid is not working properly, a cascade of health problems may result, including digestive issues, food allergies, difficulty losing weight, anxiety, mood swings, insomnia, difficulty conceiving children, and many more.
- Phytoestrogens – Unfermented soybeans contain the plant form of estrogen, phytoestrogen. These compounds mimic estrogen and have been linked to hormone-related disorders, including breast cancer, kidney stones, and impaired memory. Men an
d women alike may experience hormone imbalances from unfermented soy.
If you’re a male consuming extra estrogen, it’s going to give you more feminine characteristics and decreased sperm count. [3]
If you’re a woman consuming foods that increase estrogen levels, it’s going to increase your risk of some types of breast cancer [4][5], cervical cancer, PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) and other hormone imbalance-related disorders.
Here’s the confusion. Soy contains phytoestrogens, which mimic estrogen in the body. If you are deficient in estrogen, then it could be beneficial for your body, and actually help prevent breast cancer, but if you already have a good level of estrogen in your body, eating unfermented soy will increase your levels and could put you at risk for estrogen-dependent cancers. When asked, is soy healthy from London Ontario chiropractor? I say it’s best to avoid unfermented soy.
4. Phytates – Phytates in unfermented soy inhibit the body’s ability to absorb essential minerals like calcium and magnesium.
5. Soy-Based Infant Formula – As a chiropractor that serves all ages, from babies to grown ups, I have some advice regarding soy-based formula. There is evidence that soy-based infant formula, with its high phytoestrogen, manganese, and aluminum content, can be harmful to babies, making it a poor option. There is significant evidence that soy-based infant formula can cause harm, both via its isoflavo
ne, phytoestrogen content and its unnaturally high content of manganese and aluminum. [6]
Can Soy Be Healthy?
Is soy healthy from London Ontario chiropractor? Yes, soy can be very healthy. I’m sure you have heard that Japanese people live longer and have lower rates of cancer than Americans because they eat so much soy. [7] This is true, but it’s the kind of soy they eat that makes the difference. They primarily eat fermented soy. The fermentation process reduces the phytate, phytoestrogens, and goitrogens levels. Fermented soy is also an excellent source of vitamin K, which plays an essential role in preventing osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, dementia, and prostate, lung, and liver cancer. If you chose fermented soy, the benefits outweigh any risk.
What Should You Avoid?
If you’re wondering “Is soy healthy from London Ontario chiropractor?”, here’s what I say to avoid:
- Edamame
- Soy burgers
- Soy milk and related products
- Tofu
- Textured soy protein
Healthier Fermented Soy Options
If you’re wondering “Is soy healthy from London Ontario chiropractor?” Here’s what I say, to enjoy the benefits of soy, I recommend these fermented soy products:
- Tempeh: A firm, nutty fermented soybean cake.
- Miso: A fermented soybean paste with a salty, buttery texture commonly used in miso soup, one of my favorite ways to eat fermented soy, has been associated with lowering the risk for breast cancer [7]. Miso is one of my favorite forms of fermented soy. I buy organic miso soup packets at the local grocery store.
- Natto: A sticky, cheese-like fermented soybean with a strong flavor.
- Soy Sauce: Opt for naturally fermented, organic tamari for a healthier choice.
Remember, the best answer to “Is soy healthy from London Ontario chiropractor” is to choose organic, fermented soy products and to avoid GMOs.
References:
Samsel A, Seneff S. 2013. Glyphosate’s Suppression of Cytochrome P450 Enzymes and Amino Acid Biosynthesis by the Gut Microbiome:
Pathways to Modern Diseases. Entropy. 15(4): 1416-1463. http://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/15/4/1416. doi: 10.3390/e15041416
Chang HC, Doerge DR. 15 Nov 1997. Anti-thyroid isoflavones from soybean: isolation, characterization, and mechanisms of action. Biochem Pharmacol. 54(10):1087-96. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9464451.
Chavarro JE, Toth TL, Sadio SM, Houser R. Soy food and isoflavone intake in relation to semen quality parameters among men from an infertility clinic. Oxford JournalsMedicine & Health Human Reproduction. 23(11): 2584-2590. http://humrep.oxfordjournals.org/content/23/11/2584.short.
Allred CD, Allred KF, Ju YH, Virant SM, Helferich WG. 2001 Jul 1. Soy diets containing varying amounts of genistein stimulate growth of estrogen-dependent (MCF-7) tumors in a dose-dependent manner. Cancer Res. 61(13): 5045-50. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11431339.
Allred CD, Ju YH, Allred KF, Chang J, Helferich WG. 2001 Oct. Dietary genistin stimulates growth of estrogen-dependent breast cancer tumors similar to that observed with genistein. Carcinogenesis. 22(10):1667-73. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11577007.
Zung A, Glaser T, Kerem Z, Zadik Z. 2008 Feb. Breast development in the first 2 years of life: an association with soy-based infant formulas. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 46(2):191-5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18223379. doi: 10.1097/MPG.0b013e318159e6ae.
Seiichiro Y, Tomotaka S, Minatsu K, S, Shoichiro T, For the Japan Public Health Center-Based Prospective Study on Cancer Cardiovascular Diseases (JPHC Study) Group. Soy, Isoflavones, and Breast Cancer Risk in Japan. http://jnci.oxfordjournals.org/content/95/12/906.short.
Gunnars C. Authority Nutrition. Is Soy Bad for You, or Good? The Shocking Truth. [accessed 2016 Oct 24]. https://authoritynutrition.com/is-soy-bad-for-you-or-good/.
Mercola J. 2015. Effortless Healing. First Edition. New York: Harmony.
