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Isoflavone soy protein that work in tandem with the daid- plications for individuals on soy-based diets as

content varies zein to trigger the progression into seizures and well as for the rodent model.” 21
death. As for the Alzheimer’s mice, soy protein
It is also extremely interesting that daid-
greatly from increased seizures but daidzein did not, though zein alone appears to have caused the seizures
one batch there was a strong trend for increased wild run- and increased Aß processing. According to
19
of soybeans ning in the females. neurosurgeon and excitotoxin expert Russell

Interestingly enough, daidzein but not Blaylock, MD, “this is a mechanism unrelated
to another, genistein led to increased “wild running.” The to excito-toxicity” though it is possible “daidzein
much to the non-soy chows enhanced with genistein or the may trigger excitotoxicity indirectly—say by
22
dismay of the combination of genistein and daidzein, failed to activating microglia.” Much research shows
provoke seizures in the wild type or Alzheimer’s seizures are generated by MSG and other exci-
soy industry, disease mice. Indeed the genistein may have totoxins, which are widely found in modern soy
20
which finds counteracted that, a finding that will surely products. Glutamate, for example, is created as
it cannot lead the soy industry to put a positive spin on a byproduct of the industrial processing methods
the study with a headline such as “soy genistein used to manufacture soy protein isolate and other
reliably either stops seizures.” fractionated protein products. In addition, food

minimize risks To understand the mechanism underlying manufacturers often add MSG—often hiding
or maximize the activity of the soy isoflavone daidzein, the under the alias “natural flavoring”—to improve
researchers performed in vitro experiments in taste and smell. However, this would also be
23
alleged which they “assessed dendritic AβPP expression true of manufacturing methods used to produce
benefits. in primary, cultured, wild type neurons treated acceptable tasting casein products.
with daidzein or genistein” and “found altered In terms of seizure control, it would seem
AβPP expression.” They concluded both the in useful to optimize the daidzein-to-genistein ratio
vivo and in vitro findings “have important im- in soy feeds and soy foods, but that’s easier said

If you were going to serve Tofurky, how would you improve the taste?
Wrap it well with bacon and roast. Use real bacon, not fakin' bakin, of course. Eat the bacon, hide the Tofurky in your
napkin and toss.

Do the PETA folks like Tofurky?
You betcha! Last year PETA campaigned to rename Turkey, Texas, Tofurky, Texas. The town demurred even though PETA
offered a full-course vegan Thanksgiving meal for the entire town if they changed their name. I think the gun-totin' Texans
must have fired at the PETA people because this year they didn't go back.

What did Dr. Seuss think of Tofurky?
Dunno, though I think he kept a flock of Australorps x Ameraucana hens for the green eggs he liked with his ham. If
he’d actually met a Tofurky, I think we’d have deathless prose such as, “Why did Tofurky cross the road? Did he cross it with
a toad? Yes, Tofurky crossed the road, but how it crossed I've not been told.”

Tofurky doesn't have a leg to stand on so how could Tofurky possibly cross the road?
Tofurky could roll if given a good push. If it crossed on its own, we’d have to ask, did Tofurky really cross the road or
did the road move under Tofurky?

Why did Tofurky cross the road?
To see Gregory Peck?

Gregory can no longer peck. Why did Tofurky cross the road?
To meet up with Mr. Tofu?

Mr. Tofu “met his match” at the LA Tofu Festival. Why did Tofurky cross the road?
To go to the dork side!
©copyright 2011 Kaayla T. Daniel PhD, CCN
74 Wise Traditions SPRING 2013 SPRING 2013 Wise Traditions