|  | Diet Nutrition | Nutritional Supplements

The Dangers of Soy Foods

Soy products and derivatives are widely dispersed in the food that we eat daily. Soy oil, proteins and extracts are added to many foods, while soy protein burgers, "meats," ice cream and milk are commonly used to replace meat and dairy in vegetarian and vegan diets. Fermented soy products like tempeh, miso and soy sauce are regularly consumed in Asia and do not appear to have harmful side effects. While there hasn't been extensive study into the dangers of unfermented soy, preliminary research shows a number of possible dangers from unfermented soy products.

  1. Phytoestrogens

    • Soy contains vast amounts of phytoestrogens which, according to SoyOnlineService, are thyroid inhibitors and lead to the early sexual development of girls and the underdevelopment of boys when used in baby formula. SoyOnlineService further explains that babies fed exclusively on soy formula have over 20 thousands times the estrogen levels in their bodies as babies that are fed on a milk-based formula---this is the equivalent amount of estrogen as taking five birth control pills per day.

    Thyroid Problems

    • According to Food Renegade, soy is a potent goitrogenic or thyroid suppressant. Goitrogens prevent the thyroid from accessing the necessary amounts of iodine and often cause thyroid failure. According to SoyOnlineService, hyperthyroidism and thyroid cancer are linked to unfermented soy products, as is autoimmune thyroid disease.

    Phylates

    • Most legumes and grains contain phylates (phytic acids), but soy contains far higher quantities of phylates than other grains and legumes. Furthermore, the normal method of reducing phylates in grains (long, slow cooking) does not have the same effect on soy beans. As stated in Nexus Magazine, phylates block the uptake of essential minerals by the body---these include magnesium, calcium, zinc and iron. Fermentation (the traditional Asian way of preparing soy products) significantly reduces phylates in soy, but most modern soy products are not fermented---even modern tofu is not fermented and contains high phylate levels. Eating soy products alongside high protein food like fish broth or meat reduces the impact of phylates, but usually soy products like tofu are eaten as meat substitutes and contribute to mineral deficiencies.

    Enzyme Inhibitors

    • According to Food Renegade, soy is a digestive enzyme inhibitor---namely the protein enzyme called trypsin. While according to KidsHealth.org soy is a good source of protein, without the appropriate levels of trypsin in the digestive system, the protein cannot be absorbed. Trypsin deficiency has symptoms like cramps, diarrhea and bleeding, and according to SoyOnlineService, trypsin inhibitors also contribute to pancreas disorders. In animals tested with soy, the trypsin inhibitors caused stunted growth.

Nutritional Supplements - Related Articles