Page 80 - Fall2010

Asia in the 20th century by Seventh Day Adventist REVIEWING THE RESEARCH
missionaries from America. Hyman claims he has “reviewed reams of research” yet lists only three
Where might Hyman’s careful research on references at the conclusion of his article, the first of which is a review article
the “healthy Okinawans come from?” Probably by soy industry spokesperson Mark Messina, PhD. Hyman winds up by saying
from the bestselling popular books The Okinawa he’s “eager to see the studies on soy and health.” The bottom line: thousands
Program and The Okinawa Diet Plan by Bradley of studies have been carried out over the past eighty years, many of which
J. Willcox, D. Craig Willcox, and Makoto Suzuki. suggest risks and none prove safety.
The books seem to be where vegetarian John Rob- Clearly it would be wise to advance the precautionary principle of “bet-
bins obtained the information he includes in his ar- ter safe than sorry.” The precautionary principle has led the Israeli Health
ticle about this topic. Among other major blunders, Ministry, French Food Agency and German Institute of Risk Assessment to
the Willcox brothers claim that Okinawans who issue warnings to parents and pediatricians. Warnings have also come from
have reached the one-hundred-year mark in good respected independent scientists, including Dan Sheehan, the retired senior
health did so because of ample quantitities of soy toxicologist at FDA’s Laboratory of Toxicological Research in Jefferson,
foods and canola oil in their diets. Yes, canola oil— Arkansas, Retha Newbold of the National Institute of Environmental Health
the Canadian oil (Can-ola) that didn’t even exist on Sciences in Triangle Park, North Carolina, Irvin E. Liener, PhD, professor
the planet until a few decades ago! The Willcoxes emeritus at the University of Minnesota and the world’s leading expert on
also show confusion from page to page about just antinutrients such as protease inhibitors, phytates, lectins and saponins, Lon
how much soy is eaten. In fact, the amounts vary R. White, MD, a neuro-epidemiologist with the Pacific Health Institute in
widely from place to place in Asia, but nowhere is Honolulu; and Mary G. Enig, PhD, the courageous scientist who first exposed
the average very high and everywhere it’s treated the dangers of trans fats in the late 1970s. Alternative doctors with impres-
as a condiment in the diet and not as a staple food. sive records of reversing cancer such as the late Max Gerson, MD, Nicholas
While it’s certainly true that Okinawans regularly Gonzalez, MD and others have also put soy on their “do not eat” lists. Neu-
eat some soy, the evidence indicates they also enjoy rosurgeon Russell Blaylock MD, has strongly warned against soy’s adverse
a lot of fish and pork in their diet. And the primarily effects on the brain and nervous system. None of these groups or individuals
monounsaturated fat those centenarians ate over has been militantly “anti-soy.” All have looked long and hard at the research,
the course of their long lives was not canola oil but and have soberly and responsibly concluded that caution is warranted and that
good old-fashioned lard. Yes, lard is a primarily soy can put infants, children and adults at risk.
monounsaturated fat. Time for Dr. Hyman to do some real homework and not just express his
“eagerness” to know more.

IN MEMORIUM: TWO DEDICATED ACTIVISTS LEFT OUR EARTH A BETTER PLACE

Warrior against soy formula and protector of babies
throughout the world, Dick James passed away
Brave activist for fresh raw cheese and farm freedoms, John Coles, on peacefully in July. It was Dick and his late wife,
left, passed away in April. Pictured here with his two buddies, Har- Valerie who first alerted the world to the dangers
vey Ussery and Joel Salatin, John’s enthusiasm and level headedness of soy infant formula. His website, soyonlineservice.
will be sorely missed. Our love goes to his partner and fellow activist co.nz still educates thousands about the dangers of
Christine Solem. soy. He is survived by his childen Tania and Chris.
80 Wise Traditions FALL 2010