The Other Side of Soy: Can it be Unhealthy?

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Although a particular type of food may be generally healthy for most people, there are certain populations that do need to aware of how much soy products they consume. In fact, depending on certain risk factors recently uncovered by the medical community, some may decide to abandon soy all together.

The American Heart Association Reversal

In 2006 the American Heart Association (AHA) came out with a surprising reversal of its 2000 statement. A panel of experts revised the organization’s previous view and proclaimed that soy products do not lower cholesterol or offer heart attack prevention benefits. The AHA panel of experts did not stop there. Members also said that soybean products do not reduce hot flashes in menopausal women. In a summary of the panel’s findings Dr. Kaayla T. Daniel said that the AHA warned against soy isoflavone supplements because neither their safety nor their healthful benefits had been proved.

Breast Cancer Risk

Women with a familial history of breast cancer as well as those who are breast cancer survivors may actually want to avoid soy altogether. Studies cited by Jane Smith on the website Reliable Answers suggest that the phytoestrogens in soy promote tumor growth. To further complicate this matter, the latest study from the American Association for Cancer Research*** (AACR) published its findings recently and drew the opposite conclusion.

The one key factor missing from the summaries of these studies is the amount of soy products consumed by subjects. As with any product, moderation is the watchword. A product such as soy was thought to protect women from cancer because it is a rich source of phytoestrogens, which work with the body to naturally increase estrogen production. While this may be a scientifically valid conclusion when considering a daily intake of 80 micrograms, the health advantages could very well disappear altogether if too much soy is consumed each day.

Adding one serving of soymilk to your raw smoothies every day should be okay, but before changing your diet ask your doctor about how much soy is safe.

Thyroid Ris

Thyroid health depends on the body’s ability do produce the hormones thyroxine and triiodothyronine. A properly functioning thyroid keeps the metabolism in balance. The thyroid does its work by absorbing iodine, which then triggers essential enzymes that are necessary in thyroid hormone production. Soybean products contain isoflavones, which are a type of phytoestrogen. An overabundance of this naturally occurring estrogen is said to inhibit the body’s ability to trigger key enzyme necessary in thyroid hormone production. Thyroid health depends on the body’s ability do produce the hormones thyroxine and triiodothyronine. A properly functioning thyroid keeps the metabolism in balance.

The thyroid does its work by absorbing iodine, which then triggers essential enzymes that are necessary in thyroid hormone production. Soybean products contain isoflavones, which are a type of phytoestrogen. An overabundance of this naturally occurring estrogen is said to inhibit the body’s ability to trigger key enzyme necessary in thyroid hormone production. The result, according to Stephanie Chandler’s article on the Live Strong*** website, can be hypothyroidism. She also cites a warning to those currently taking a synthetic hormone for hypothyroidism. Doctors at the prestigious Mayo Clinic that soy products may negate or decrease the effectiveness of your thyroid medication.

As with the potential breast cancer risk, the main point to keep in mind is the amount of soy you consume because some of the studies base results on an unreasonably high daily level of this product. If you are taking thyroid medication, talk to your doctor before adding soymilk to your raw fruit and vegetable smoothies.

So is the soybean an unhealthy choice? Nutritionists and doctors acknowledge that this product has many benefits. It is an excellent source of protein, healthy fat and fiber in its natural state. Medical science still has much to learn about hormones in food and how they affect the human body.

***References

Live Strong - http://www.livestrong.com/article/322609-foods-to-avoid-if-you-have-graves-disease/
American Association for Cancer Research - http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/news/20110405/is-soy-safe-to-eat-after-breast-cancer
Reliable Answers - http://3blenders.com/AGAINSTSOY.html
Dr Kaayla T Daniel - http://www.wholesoystory.com/newsletters/AHAheartSOY.pdf