Consider the Soy Controversy

(www.Borganic.org) In part 1 of the Soy Controversy, we just started to get into the fact that many foods, like soy, contain substances that could be harmful when consumed in isolation but perfectly fine when consumed as a whole food. Mushrooms, broccoli, lentils, grapefruits, peanuts, spinach, chard, and celery are other examples of this.

There are pesticides that occur naturally in grapefruit, lentils and broccoli that if you eat in isolation can cause mutations. Peanuts contain cancer causing aflatoxin. Spinach and chard contain an acid that can diminish calcium absorption and celery contains toxins that can damage the immune system. But, when these foods are eaten whole, they are health promoting and the sum of their parts offer protection from the possible dangers from an isolated component. So, when you start playing around with their chemistry you will discover "dangers". Dose a mouse with a thousand milligrams of soy isoflavones and it develops breast cancer cells.

Let`s talk about the accusation that soy negatively impacts thyroid function. This arose due to one study done in Japan over 15 years ago. Yet, the more recent studies done in the U.S. that did not support the Japan study failed to get as much blaring publicity. What happened was that 17 people ate pickled, roasted soybeans every day for three months and half of them experienced a thyroid enlargement of hypothyroidism symptoms like fatigue or constipation. So, does the fact that eight or nine people, some experiencing fatigue or constipation, prove that soy has a negative effect on thyroid function?

Maybe some of the soy negativity is nonsense. On the other hand, could it be that soy is a wonder bean that will reverse baldness, make your eye brows thicker or give you a ripped "six pack"? Who cares?
The point is that tests could be conducted to produce a desired result. Does anyone in their right mind eat 10 servings of soy a day? No. Do people go out of their way to take soy supplements? Doubtful. Do most people see soy as a miracle food or drug? Hardly. But, do people eat soy products? Yes.

We know there is still much to be learned about soy, but the majority of research has shown it to safe and nutritious when consumed sensibly, maybe one or two servings daily. Do your own research if you feel compelled to. Just don`t give in to someone else`s research which could be biased. Remember, many anti-soy "medical" studies have been funded by the dairy and meat industries. Not long ago, the dairy industry petitioned the Fraud and Drug Administration to prevent the word "milk" from following the word "soy". Soymilk anyone?

If you are basically a flesh eater and you decide to eat soy products, know one thing: it`s not going to taste like what you are used to eating. If you concentrate on getting rid of your flesh addiction and experiment with various soy products, it may take a few weeks or a month to figure out which products suit you. But, it is still a processed food and should be consumed in moderation. Why? Because the more processed, the less wholesome. You know you can be really healthy by not eating soy or flesh. It just takes a bit of common sense.

All you need for good health is a balanced diet of fruits, veggies, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, fresh juices, smoothies and some superfoods like chlorella and spirulina. Then add avocados, olive oil, flax and chia seeds and you`ll get your essential fatty acids. It`s not rocket science. It`s just using your intelligence and making informed choices.

Aloha!

By Hesh Goldstein
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