The Dangers of Soy products have been labelled as a health food by many different manufacturers, however this is not always the case. Unfermented soy can cause some major damage to the body, especially soy protein isolates which are added to many pre-packaged foods. Soy is hidden in vegetable oils, protein bars, diet shakes, vegetarian meat substitutes, hot dogs and even some baby formulas.
In this article, We will explore 10 facts and dangers of soy products so that you can avoid this as much as possible
1. Hormone Imbalance: Soy causes some major hormone imbalances in both women and men. This is classed as a xenoestrogen, because it mimics the estrogen hormone in the body. In men, too much soy can contribute towards prostate enlargement, developing female breast tissue, wider hips, higher voice and male patterned baldness. In women, soy and other xenoestrogens often lead to thyroid disorders, breast tenderness, higher risk of cysts on the ovaries, heavy periods and menopause symptoms.
2. Cancer Risk: Soy has an estrogenic effect on the body, meaning that it raises the estrogen hormones too high. Estrogen is an anabolic hormone which causes things to grow such as liver tumours, fibroids, ovarian cysts and breast tumours. It also causes the prostate gland to grow larger in men which becomes infected and at higher risk of prostate cancer.
3. The Dangers of Soy Products in Weight Gain: Soy protein isolates are often used as a food additive in weight loss products, protein bars and ready meals. This is a very low-quality protein used by manufacturers because it is cheap and inexpensive. The problem is that soy proteins trigger weight gain in the body because they upset the natural hormone balance. Soy then causes fat to build up in the body, specifically in the hips, thighs, arms and breasts.
4. Absorption: A soybean is a seed which contains a chemical called phytic acid. Phytic acid blocks the body’s ability to absorb minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium and zinc. Unfermented soy products also contain other enzyme inhibitors which make it hard for you to digest meat and proteins found in other foods. The Japanese have understood this problem for centuries, which is why they ferment their soy to make products like tofu, tempeh, and miso. Fermenting soy with friendly bacteria gets rid of these unwanted chemicals making it safer to eat in small amounts.
5. Liver Damage: One of the main problems with soy products like soy milk, soy oil and soy proteins are that they cause damage to the liver. Soy is often genetically modified in the western world and is grown with harmful chemicals like pesticides and fungicides. The liver finds it very hard to filter out these toxins which can lead to tumours in the liver and further hormone imbalances.
Is soya bad for health?
6. Thyroid Disorders: Because of its estrogenic effect, soy can also cause problems with the thyroid gland, such as hypothyroidism. The high estrogen and liver damage can lead to large goitres and swelling in the thyroid gland in the neck. When the thyroid gland is disrupted you may experience problems with temperature like night sweats and hot flashes. This may make the symptoms of menopause much worse, so be sure to stay away from soy, especially nearing menopause.
7. Fermented Soy is main aspect behind The Dangers of Soy Products: As mentioned earlier, Soy is often fermented in Asia to make healthier products such as soy sauce, tempeh, tofu, miso and natto. Natto, in particular, is loaded with prebiotics and vitamin K2 for strengthening the bones and getting rid of clogged arteries. Soy in the western world is often genetically modified and is a very different product than soy found in Japan for example.
8. Digestive Problems: Soybeans and other seeds contain saponins, these are natural chemicals that protect the plants from microbes and fungi. Saponins should be considered as natures natural pest control. The problem arises when we consume too many of them in our diets. Saponins are very resistant to digestion which causes inflammation in the gut, leaky gut syndrome, autoimmune issues and skin issues like dermatitis.
9. Check The Labels: Manufacturers hide soy in many different pre-packaged foods. We recommend avoiding these as much as possible and cooking your own healthy meals at home from fresh ingredients. However, if you do need to use packaged food, look for words like textured soy protein (TSP), Soy Protein Isolates, Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP), Soya, Soy Oil, Soy Lecithin, And Diglycerides.
10. Reversing Damage: If you have been unknowingly consuming soy for many years then you may have accumulated toxins in your liver. To reverse the damage and help restore your hormones, you can consume cruciferous vegetables on a daily basis. These include veggies like cauliflower, broccoli, brussels sprouts, red cabbage, green cabbage, asparagus, arugula, collard greens and kale. A daily supplement of 150mg DIM (diindolylmethane) also helps the liver to filter out toxins from soy and excess hormones. As you can see soy can be very dangerous for the human body, especially as it is added to all kinds of foods found in supermarkets.
We highly recommend that you stop using low-quality vegetable oils and start cooking with extra virgin olive oil, or coconut oil. These are much healthier for your body and liver and will help to protect against the harmful effects of soy and other endocrine disruptors. By becoming aware of these issues, you can make better choices and opt for whole nutritious foods that will heal and nourish your body, rather than damaging it.