FAQ-Soy

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• Eggs from soy-fed chickens
• Studies about soy
• Soy protein drinks
• Soy candles
• Soy processing
• Rectal itching &amnp; intestinal health
• What soy is safe
• Phytoestrogens and natural hormone cream
• Safe soy products?
• Soy cheese and yogurt
• Soy and tumors
• Andrew weil and soy
• Non-gmo lecithin
• reversing damage of soy intake
• estrogen in soy oil used for skin care products
• which foods are phytoestrogenic
• use of soy to lower LDL and raise HDL

Soy

Q. Will the phytoestrogens get into the eggs of chicken fed soy? A. Yes, the phytoestrogens can end up in the yolks–not as high as in commercial eggs, but they will be there. However, eggs are such a good food that we still recommend them. One of our goals is to get farmers away from using soy for their chickens. But this is going to be difficult as the practice is almost universal–even for pastured poultry. We’d like to see chickens given whey, skim milk and bugs as their protein source. But without soy (which contains growth-stimulating estrogens), chickens grow much slower. Consumers must be prepared to pay more for soy-less chicken and eggs. Q. Where can I find studies that explain the problem with soy? A. Click here to go to the Soy Alert section of westonaprice.org. There you will find lists of studies and many well-referenced articles. I also suggest The Whole Soy Story by Kaayla T. Daniel (wholesoystory.com), which is a very well referenced book. Q. Please explain what are the problems with soy protein drinks. A. Soy-based liquid protein drinks (and soy protein in general) are high in many toxins and antinutrients. The may also predispose to arrhythmias. The reference for this is: Chiang, CE and others. Genistein Inhibits the Inward Rectifying Potassium Current in Guinea Pig Ventricular Myocytes. J Biomed Sci 2002;9:321-326. Dietary isoflavones genistein dose-dependently and reversibly inhibit the inward rectifying K+ (potassium) current in guinea pigs ventricular myocytes, suggesting the potential for soy isoflavones to cause heart arrhythmias. But supplementation with liquid protein drinks predisposes to arrhythmias. High protein diets that do not contain fats, particularly animal fats, can deplete stores of vitamin A and D and consequently interfere with mineral assimilation. For more on why too much protein in general in the diet is bad, click here to read the article Guts and Grease, under Traditional Diets, on the website. Q. Can I use soy candles? A. I think soy candles should be fine unless you are allergic to soy. People who are allergic can be affected by soy dust, soy ink, and probably the emissions from soy candles. –Response by Dr. Kaayla Daniel, author of The Whole Soy Story Q. Is the problem of soy the processing? A. In my book, in chapters 8 and 11, I thoroughly discuss soy processing and the nitrites issue. Chapter 22 discusses fluoride toxicity. Both problems are primarily the result of modern industrial processing, typical of most of the soy foods and many soy milks now in the marketplace. In addition, all soybeans (regardless of processing) contain many other antinutrients and toxins, as well as endocrine-disrupting plant estrogens. –Response by Dr. Kaayla Daniel, author of The Whole Soy Story Q. Can soy cause rectal itching and compromise intestinal health? A. To the best of my knowledge there are no studies that specifically link soy to rectal itching. However, there are hundreds of studies that link soy with damage to the gastrointestinal tract, which can lead to numerous problems including parasites and other possible causes of itching. If I were in your situation, I would avoid all soy products and eat a varied, organic and omnivorous diet such as is recommended in the book Eat Fat/Lose Fat by Mary Enig & Sally Fallon. Despite its title, the book is not just about weight loss and has helped many people regain their health and energy. The book discusses the importance of good fats, including coconut oil and coconut milk, which have greatly helped many of my clients who are recovering from soy. You may also wish to consult a holistic MD, naturopathic doctor (ND) or clinical nutritionist (CCN) who can run tests to check for GI tract damage, parasites, etc. and who can recommend supplements that will help heal such damage and stop the itching. There’s no reason for this problem to be life-long. Be sure that the health practitioner you choose is aware of the dangers of soy foods. –Response by Dr. Kaayla Daniel, author of The Whole Soy Story Q. What soy is safe to consume? A. I share your concerns about GM soybeans and have covered that issue in my book. I also share your concerns about soybean processing, including matters of glutamate toxicity, and cover that issue in my book as well. My book has been endorsed by Dr. Russell Blaylock, a leading researcher on excitotoxins. In terms of safe soy consumption for those who are not allergic or sensitive to soy, I recommend small amounts of the fermented products miso, natto, tempeh, shoyu and tamari made with organic soybeans if eaten in small quantities and no more than a few times a week. That is also the position of the Weston A. Price Foundation as stated in many of its publications. I also don’t worry about the occasional vegetarian potluck with tofu or whatever. But these are very hazardous for people who react poorly to MSG. However, the bottom line is that all soybeans, including organic soybeans, contain naturally occurring antinutrients, toxins and phytoestrogens that have been linked to thyroid damage, reproductive problems, infertility, ADD/ADHD, cognitive decline and a host of other problems, including heart disease and cancer growth. Although old-fashioned fermentation processes eliminate most of the antinutrients (protease inhibitors, phytates, etc.), all soybeans and soy products sold in the marketplace contain the dangerous phytoestrogens. I document this thoroughly in my book, which is 457 pages with 44 pages of references (should you wish to do your own follow up). Several chapters from my book are posted on www.westonaprice.org (The Promotion of Soy, Soy Lecithin, Soy Carbohydrates, Not Milk and Uncheese). Two Special Reports taken from the book can also be obtained free from my website. As for nattokinase, it’s a supplement and may have clinical uses. A few studies have come out that suggest it is promising, but I don’t really know whether there are risks. –Response by Dr. Kaayla Daniel, author of The Whole Soy Story Q. Is there a difference between the phytoestrogen that is harmful in soybeans and the phytoestrogen that is found in wild yams and is used in Ostaderm? I am looking for a natural hormone cream to use for relief of menopause symptoms. Thank you for your assistance. A. I am not familiar with the specific product Ostaderm but most of the over-the-counter wild-yam creams contain progesterone precursors. These are not reliably converted to progesterone in the body. I am a clinical nutritionist and not an MD, but if I were seeking to balance my hormones and increase progesterone levels, I would not self medicate but see an alternative doctor or other health professional who can test hormone levels and, if appropriate, prescribe hormones of known quality and quantity. Hormone levels should then be monitored. Many women are using progesterone creams, some of which have no effect, and some of which produce excessive levels of progesterone in the body. In many cases, women are estrogen dominant and the priority needs to be decreasing those levels and not just increasing progesterone to improve the ratio. In short, it’s a complicated issue and so best to work with a knowledgeable health professional. –Response by Dr. Kaayla Daniel, author of The Whole Soy Story Q. I have seen some supplement companies advertise their soy products as better than others and not dangerous, are these comments true? A. I receive numerous letters every week from people who have developed serious health problems (most often thyroid damage) from eating soy shakes, soy energy bars and other products sold by companies such as ReLiv, HerbLife, Revival, Shaklee and others. All of these companies claim that their products are safe and healthy due to patented “breakthrough” processing methods that are unlike those used by any of their competitors in the marketplace. This is simply not true. While some of these companies might use organic soy and and/or make slight changes in the manufacturing process (such as using less alkaline rinses), none of these “innovations” markedly improve soy safety. None of these methods remove many of the plant estrogens and other toxins and antinutrients from soy protein. And the literature dispersed by these companies invariably tout the “health benefits” of these same estrogens, toxins and antinutrients. I discuss soy processing methods in depth in chapters 4-12 of my book. I’m a clinical nutritionist and not a medical doctor so cannot diagnose or prescribe for you, but I personally would not eat any of these products. –Response by Dr. Kaayla Daniel, author of The Whole Soy Story Q. If I avoid GMO soy, can I eat soy cheese and yogurt? A. In Chapter 6, I discuss soy milks, soy yogurt and soy cheeses in depth. Contrary to popular belief, these products were not consumed traditionally in Asia but were first promoted and manufactured by Seventh Day Adventist missionaries from America. Although it’s better to eat non-GMO soy if you insist on eating soy, all soy products including organic products include naturally occuring antinutrients, toxins and plant estrogens. –Response by Dr. Kaayla Daniel, author of The Whole Soy Story Q. Can soy cause or worsen tumors? Is it bad for my condition, which is neurofibromatosis? A. I do not have any other testimonials from people suffering from neurofibromatosis but have many stories of people whose tumors (of many different types) have grown because of the plant estrogens in soy foods, soy milk or soy isoflavone supplements. Many of those people saw their tumors shrink after removing all forms of soy from their diets. I am a clinical nutritionist and not a medical doctor so cannot give you medical advice. But if I were in your situation, I would eliminate all soy from my diet as well as foods containing plant estrogens including flax seeds and flax oil, clover and alfalfa sprouts and margarines, spreads and other products containing sterols. Also, please do inform your doctor that soy phytoestrogens may have contributed to your situation. –Response by Dr. Kaayla Daniel, author of The Whole Soy Story Q. What do you think about other health professionals such as Andrew Weil, recommending soy? A. I find it appalling that Andrew Weil has become rich and famous as America’s leading proponent of “alternative medicine” yet endorses soy, fluoride and vaccinations! His bestselling books have been fueling the soy fad for some time now, but I think the tide is turning. More and more people are starting to hear about the health problems caused by soy. Just this week the Israeli Health Ministry issued a health advisory warning. So people are starting to hear the truth despite the fact that we can’t compete with the soy industry, which has spent millions building soy’s “miracle food” image through advertising, lobbying in Washington etc, and favorable press. –Response by Dr. Kaayla Daniel, author of The Whole Soy Story Q: I have cosmetics from an organic and natural company.  One of the ingredients in the concealer, foundation and body cream is non-GMO lecithin.  I am wondering if you would use these products? A: Soy lecithin is a waste product from soy oil manufacture.  However, it is not usually a problem even for people who are allergic to or sensitive to soy. It’s hard to find food or cosmetic products without lecithin, which is used as an emulsifier. The most serious health problems are from soy protein and soy oil. Lecithin is used in very small quantities and is rarely a problem. Chapter 10 of my book discusses soy lecithin in depth. –Response by Dr. Kaayla Daniel, author of The Whole Soy Story The following SOY comments are by Dr Kaayla Daniel – author of The Whole Soy Story Q: Is there a connection between soy and autism? A: Last May I spoke at the AutismOne conference in Chicago, so I am very familiar with issues related to soy and autism.  Although I have no studies linking soy to autism, soy is a major problem because most parents who try to put their children on gluten-free, casein-free diets end up using a lot of soy substitutes.   This inevitably exacerbates digestive distress, weakens the immune system and creates other health problems.  There is also a firm link between ADD/ADHD (and possibly autism) to manganese toxicity, which often occurs when babies are given soy infant formula during their first six months of life. Q: My children are suffering from allergies especially to soy and peanuts.  I’ve read that they are related, please comment on this. A: I am hearing more and more stories of people who are reacting severely to both peanut and soy.   Peanut and soy are close botanical cousins and there’s a lot of cross reactivity.  We also have some evidence that reactions have worsened since GM soybeans and peanuts have entered the food supply.  As people substitute pea protein for soy (happening increasingly in shakes), I expect to hear many more stories about reactions to pea protein as well. Bone broth will be very helpful in healing the gut — always the highest priority when healing severely allergic people.   The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section of my website www.soyfreesolutions.com also has tips that may be helpful to you and your family. Q: This summer in an effort to lose some weight I decided to try NUTRI-SYSTEM, little did know that almost ALL of the food they offer is laden with soy protein. I have had hashimoto’s thyroiditis years ago but have not had any serious problems with it for years, and within a month of starting the program, it’s thrown me back into total inflammation and hypothyroidism, with my antibodies skyrocketing to 1000.  The thing I take issue with is no where in their advertising, print or television, does it state anything about soy.  I believe it should be clearly stated that soy protein exists-as soy is like poision to someone with thyroid disease – and many people trying to lose weight have thyroid problems. A: As you may know, more than 60 years of studies link soy to thyroid problems, including hashimoto’s thyroiditis.  By law Nutri-System is required to label its products as containing soy.   Soy is now one of the top allergens and this labeling has been required since January 2006 by the Food Allergen & Labeling Act.   If Nutri-System has not done so on its packaging, you should report them to the FDA.  If you do so, please let me know what kind of response you receive from the FDA.   Keep in mind that Nutri-System is required to list soy on its packaging but not required to disclose that in their advertising. In terms of your recovery, I would eat an omnivorous diet based on the books Nourishing Traditions and Eat Fat/Lose Fat, both  by Sally Fallon and Mary Enig.    The latter book discusses the healing powers of coconut oil, which will nourish the thyroid and support the immune system, both of which are crucial for your recovery from soy.    Finally, I would strongly recommend that you work with an alternative MD, nutritionist or other health professional who is familiar with the dangers of soy and has helped clients recover. Q: I have a son who is now 3yrs old. He was adopted at 4weeks from Japan in 2010. When we tried to convert him to American milk based formula he could not tolerate it and we were advised by our pediatrician to put him on soy formula. We fed him Earths Best organic soy until he was a year. After that we tried cows milk but still no luck he was briefly on soy milk until I changed to Almond after having concerns about soy in general. He has always eaten a variety of fruits and vegetables with very limited processed foods. My concern is what should I be doing to reverse any damage of soy intake during that first year. We have switched to many of the practices your foundation recommends. Thank you so much for your time. A: Dear Tamara, Kathy Kramer at the Weston A. Price Foundation forwarded your letter to me. I’m the author of The Whole Soy Story: The Dark Side of America’s Favorite Health Food. I get a lot of questions like yours so I’m attaching my special report “Recovering from Soy.” I hope it is helpful. Ir lays out the most important issues and provides many steps that you can do yourself. My first question to you is, do you know what type of formula your son was on for the first four months of his life? That is an important thing to know as the greatest dangers from soy formula are in the first six months after birth. Whether or not this is the case, always remember that risk is not certainty. Let’s hope your son is one of the lucky ones. I’m not clear whether you currently have any health concerns about your son. If so, I’d strongly recommend you work with an alternative medical doctor or other health professional, taking care to find one that understands the dangers of soy and does laboratory testing. I like hair mineral analysis testing because — as you will read in the Special Report — aluminum, copper and other toxicities are often part of the clinical picture for children fed soy formula. The good news is we can eliminate those from the body quite easily in children. If you don’t have anyone you trust who lives near you, I work with many clients long distance and we can talk either by phone or face to face using Skype. We can also do lab testing so long as you live in the United States. If there are possible issues with estrogenization or feminization of your son, it is particularly important to start the healing process right away and not wait until puberty or later. At that point, any damage could be irreversible. I hope I’ve been helpful. My own children were adopted from Korea and Vietnam. Good luck to you. Kaayla T. Daniel, PhD, CCN Q: I am doing some research on the level of estrogen that soy oil used for skin care products contain. The soy oil I am researching is non GMO so its organic in form. The controversy is how does the soy oil affect children and child bearing women who are putting soy based skin care on. Can you help with this? A: I discuss soy oil in chapters 9 and 14. While there are some sterols in soy oil, there are no isoflavones. I doubt this is an issue for any of us to be concerned about. Q: I think I am estrogen dominant, and so I have been looking up which foods are phytoestrogenic so I can avoid them. I noticed that, like soy, all legumes are phytoestrogenic. What makes you say that other beans besides soy are safe to eat? A: Other beans and peas have far lower levels of phytoestrogens–10% or less. But someone who is very sensitive to estrogens may have to avoid even beans and peas. Q: Please check out the article I read at Newsmaxhealth.com: http://www.newsmaxhealth.com/health_stories/Cholesterol_Soy/2012/02/27/436201.html?s=al?omo_code=E458-1 I would like you to comment on this study of the use of soy to lower LDL and raise HDL. It doesn’t quite match what your studies show about soy. Also, it seems the number of participants seem so small that the study and their conclusion would be insignificant. What are your thoughts on this study? May be you could comment on it in the next issue of “Wise Trditions”. Also, I thought you might also comment on this recent Harvard study: http://www.naturalnews.com/035081_pasteurized_milk_cancer_dairy.html. A: Thanks Robert, we will look at these and do comments. But as to soy lowering LDL, it really doesn’t matter–cholesterol levels do not accurately predict proneness to heart disease.  

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