Vegetarian Information

Soy Controversy

Major evidence now exists to suggest Soya bean is inappropriate for human and stock consumption at current levels. As a legume, it is known to contain phytoestrogens - plant versions of the female hormone estrogen. Phytoestrogens first came to the fore when farmers discovered that stock browsing quantities of red clover had reproductive difficulties. Research established that legumes are prime sources of phytoestrogens and this content was playing havoc with the animals’ reproductive systems.

In recent years, Western women have been encouraged to supplement their diets with Soy products at menopause to keep up their estrogen levels, on the premise that the higher intake of legumes by women in Eastern countries accounts for the apparent lack of menopausal problems there.

International research findings quoted in New Zealand Medical Journal of May 1995 and a Swiss Public Health paper indicated that 100gm of soy product has the estrogenic content of one contraceptive pill. Further research is beginning to reveal more of the Soy story.

Questions about the use of Soya-based infant formulas were first raised in New Zealand in late 1994 when Richard and Valerie James commissioned a scientific study following deaths and early maturing of parrot chicks at their aviary. The chicks had been reared solely on a commercial Soy-based bird-feeding product. The toxicologist carrying out the survey confirmed high levels of estrogenic compounds in the feed, and also in four infant formulas, likening the content to that of contraceptive pills. He confirmed that depending on age, quantity and feeding methods, infants on Soy formula might be consuming the toxic equivalent of up to 12 contraceptive pills a day.

After further studies by the manufacturers and the Ministry of Health, it was announced that there was insufficient evidence to implicate Soy.

More recently, questions were raised again, suggesting that Soy-based infant formulas should be available only on medical prescription. The Ministry of Health finally confirmed that infants with possible thyroid problems should not take Soya, and that it would be preferable if all Soy-based infant formulas were used only under medical supervision.

The Australian College of Paediatricians also warned that the use of Soya-based formulas might produce side effects.

Meanwhile, a variety of press statements were issued following a number of research projects on Soy:
(a) A study by the National Institute of Aging in Hawaii warned people in middle age to stay off tofu because of a risk of contracting Alzheimer’s disease. The Hawaiian researchers claim that phytoestrogens do not act like natural estrogens, and they are not necessarily good for humans. The 30 year study found that men who reported eating tofu at least twice weekly were 2.4 times more likely to have developed Alzheimer’s in old age than non-tofu eaters. [NZ Herald 8 June 1998]
(b) An American Academy of Science Report “Toxicants Occurring Naturally in Foods” stated that phytoestrogens are capable of producing growth of the vagina, uterus and mammary glands, and female secondary characteristics.
(c) A report from the University of Turku in Finland warned that, in doses exceeding the daily intake in Asia, phytoestrogens are potential hormone disrupters in males.
(d) In her book, “The Phyto-Factor” Maryon Stewart, founder of the British Women’s Nutritional Advisory Service, claimed that phytoestrogens act in a similar way to the breast cancer drug tamoxifen in combating hormone-sensitive cancers, protecting against osteoporosis, heart attacks and menopausal flushes.
(e) Working on statistics from the World Health Organization, two official scientific panels concluded there was almost no evidence to suggest a link between phytoestrogens and a reduction of cancer risk. It was noted that while the Japanese and Chinese have lower than average rates of breast cancer, both countries have very high rates of stomach and liver cancer.
(f) The US Food and Drug Administration Center for Toxicological Research warned that phytoestrogens should be regarded as toxic rather than being treated as safe. This is because consumption of phytoestrogens carries an increased risk of goitre and thyroiditis, as well as a significant dose-dependent risk of developing dementia and brain atrophy from the consumption of tofu.
(g) A very significant volume of evidence is now emerging that children fed Soy formulas and women taking Soya products to assist with the menopause are developing serious thyroid problems and autoimmune diseases later in life.

What emerges from all of this material is a major question about the over-use of Soya in both adult and infant diets - especially infant diets, where an entirely foreign product is replacing nature’s intended food source.

Alternatives

Very little attention has been given in Western countries to the use of goat’s milk as a first line replacement for babies unable to tolerate cow’s milk.

Yet goat’s milk has been shown to be very suitable for the rearing of young of many species. David Mackenzie, the writer of the comprehensive, practical, thought-provoking and readable “Goat Husbandry” had this to say about goat’s milk in a chapter he called “The Universal Foster Mother”:

“To the supreme honour of a place in the heavens, among the signs of their zodiac, the Greeks elevated three of their domestic animals: the Bull who drew their ploughs; the fleecy Ram who clothed them; and Capricorn the Goat.

“The name of the goat who earned this honour for her species was Almalactea - “Foster Milk”. Her constellation still brightens the 20th Century sky.

“While relatively few of the newly born of other species can be satisfactorily reared on cow’s milk, however modified, there is probably not a single species among the larger land mammals whose young will not thrive on suitably adjusted goat’s milk. The reasons for the high digestibility of the constituents of goat’s milk have been explained in Chapter 3…

“Humans are … for the most part, convinced that cow’s milk, which is designed to suit the fast growth rate of the calf, is perfectly suitable for feeding the slow-growing human infant … but … there is a massive collection of scientific evidence to show that all young farm stock, if fed on a diet too rich in digestible protein, are liable to mineral deficiency disease sooner or later.”

Needless to say, we should take this to heart with regard to human infants, if we are considering raising them on cow’s milk or on soy-based formulas.

Patricia Howitt
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Patricia’s career has been as a government lawyer working on the medico-legal field. She now indulges her passions for art and writing as a graphics and web designer.
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Tags: alzheimers, estrogens, goats milk, goitre, infant formulas, menopause, phytoestrogens, soy, tofu, toxicalzheimers, estrogens, goats milk, goitre, infant formulas, menopause, phytoestrogens, soy, tofu, toxic

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Tofu History

* Tofu is a soft, cheese-like food, made out of Soya milk that is curdled with a coagulant and usually used to blend with other food types, because it easily absorbs their flavor. Tofu is very popular in the Orient and is started to gain more and more ground in Western diets too.

* The history of Tofu starts in China, over 2000 years ago. The first evidence that the Chinese of those times used Tofu in their diets is a mural incised on a stone slab that shows a kitchen scene where both Tofu and Soya milk appear. This stone slab was proven to be from around 100 A.D. The oldest written reference about Tofu is known to also come from China, at about 1500 A.D., when poet Su Ping wrote a poem dedicated to Tofu, called “Ode to Tofu”.

* The Tofu started to spread amongst Asia with the appearance and development of Buddhism. In Japan, Kento priests who went to China to study Buddhism brought back Tofu recipes home (this happened at around 750 A.D.). It was eaten as part of a vegetarian diet for priests and was often used as an offering at an altar. Tofu gradually became more and more popular among the Japanese nobility and the samurai class, who needed healthy diets in their constant and rigorous training.

* In the Western world, tofu began to be popular in the late fifteen century. The first written reference about Tofu is in the 1603 Spanish dictionary “Vocabularion da lingoa de lapam”. By the time the colonization era was over, Tofu had spread all across the World being a well-known element from almost every culture’s diet.

Tofu Health Benefits

* It’s been proven that Tofu has a lot of proteins, almost as many as you would get from the same weight of chicken meat, without the cholesterol and saturated fats. Cholesterol and LDL levels can go down by 30% if you build a diet that constantly has Soya proteins within. This is a very important benefit for those that have cardiovascular problems or those that want to lower their triglyceride levels. Tofu also has all the essential amino acids found in animal proteins. Having a low ration of calories, it’s a very popular dish in weight loss diets and because of its high calcium value, it’s ideal for those who want to strengthen up their body.

* A very important, scientifically proven fact, is that Tofu reduces the chance of your body becoming cancerous. In addition, it also helps women have a softer, less uncomfortable menopause period. The chemical elements of Tofu act as weak estrogens, which help a woman’s body be more balanced during this uncomfortable period. Also, women experience accelerated bone loss during menopause, Tofu reducing this risk with its high calcium value.

* Additional health benefits of Tofu include its high iron value (providing almost 35% of the required daily value), manganese value (providing 36% of the required daily value) and copper value (11% of the standard daily value). These percentages are calculated for 4 ounces of Tofu.

Conclusion

* With Tofu being such a nutritious, protein-rich and delicious foot, it’s no wonder people from all over the world find it an increasingly necessary component of a diet. Being one of the most versatile foods, it can be served with all kinds of meals, ranging from salads and second courses, to desserts or appetizers.

Author: Robert Eaton
Copyright 2005 WikiPublishing.com

Article originally found on: CookbookWiki.com

Tags: food, health, nutrition, soy, tofufood, health, nutrition, soy, tofu

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You may have heard of the “Portfolio Diet” wherein it has been clinically accepted that increasing the intake of soy based foods can reduce levels of LDL cholesterol as much as some statin drugs.

Well, now it seems that soybeans have another health-giving quality: they also reduce blood pressure.

This latest finding is making quite a bit of noise in medical circles and not without reason. Can you imagine how hard the two largest drug markets (cholesterol and blood pressure) would be hit if the American Heart Association or the American College of Cardiology released a statement saying that soybeans can reduce bad cholesterol and control blood pressure? Just think about it. But that’s where it will stop; in your thoughts. With all the lobbying power of the giant pharmaceutical industry, I seriously doubt that such a statement from an internationally recognized source will ever be released.

However, to date more than 40 clinical trials have clearly shown that soya protein can reduce cholesterol in men and women. The effective dose of soy protein per day appears to range between 25 and 50 grams. Now initial studies show that it is also useful in fighting high blood pressure.

Soybean protein lowers blood pressure

In a report from the Annals of Internal Medicine (July 2005), it seems that use of soybean protein dietary supplements may help reduce high blood pressure.

Soybean products have been commonplace in Asian diets for centuries, and soybeans, as well as its derivative products have long been available in our local health stores and supermarkets. Research has shown that food items like tofu and soymilk can reduce cholesterol levels and lower risks for cancer, heart disease and osteoporosis. If we add the ability to fight high blood pressure to the list of illness and diseases that soy foods are able to combat, then we might just have a super disease killer on our hands.

In the study covered by the Annals, a group of American and Chinese researchers focused on 300 Chinese patients suffering from hypertension. One group was and given 40gms of soy protein while the second group was given wheat-based carbohydrates.

The objective of the trial was to examine the effect of soybean protein supplementation on blood pressure in persons with pre-hypertension or Stage 1 hypertension. The results showed that Soybean protein supplementation resulted in a reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. As such, increased intake of soybean protein may play an important role in preventing and treating hypertension.

The researchers of Tulane University, New Orleans say it’s unclear how soybean products might reduce blood pressure. One theory is that soy proteins widen blood vessels while helping the body do a better job of processing blood sugar.

In a related editorial, Dr. Jeffrey A. Cutler and Dr. Eva Obarzanek of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute in Bethesda, Maryland, state that the new study provides “another important link between blood pressure and dietary macronutrient intake,” but add that further studies are needed before soybean supplements can be recommended to patients with high blood pressure.

Soybeans, soymilk, tofu, bean sprouts, meat substitutes, cookies and even soy-based ice cream are all commonly available. Maybe it is better that you don’t wait for the big medical institutions to start singing praises about soybeans. If you want an edge, perhaps now is the time to start making some changes to your diet. Throw in 40 minutes exercise four times a week and your high blood pressure will really take a dive.

About the author:
Nicholas Webb, of AllAbout Heart Disease, speaks and writes with a passion telling it is as it is; helping others to live life to the full. This article is extracted from his newsletter “The Web’s Heart”.

To subscribe, or read other articles visit The Web’s Heart
To learn more about how to beat heart disease and get into shape visit: http://www.AllAbout-Heart-Disease.com

Tags: blood pressure, cholesterol, heart disease, hypertension, protein, soy, soya, soybeans, tofublood pressure, cholesterol, heart disease, hypertension, protein, soy, soya, soybeans, tofu

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