Is soy healthy?

Recently started a lot of soy products discussed the general public. In fact, one manufacturer said that soy products are believed to be a healthy solution other than drugs. Indeed, we all know that many publications and studies that claim positive effects of soy on health, but is it true that soy as a healthy food as you think?

I have several customers who allegedly experiencing hormonal problems such as breast lumps, cysts, endometriois or myoma. From the results of their in-depth interviews, it appeared that some of them, among others, accustomed to consuming soy milk. I do not accuse soy as one factor causes of the problem, but to them I suggest a few things including limiting or avoiding soy products that have not experienced fermentation, and the results are significant health increased.

You may ask, what foundation so that I apply the things mentioned above. Hopefully the following article help answer your questions.

Soy foods are not healthy as you think.


Of tempeh, soy milk to infant formula, soy products is widely known as a healthy source of protein, natural and very good for you. Behind the success there were some studies that show negative effects of soy on humans.

Fact 1: Soybean contains "phytic acid"-inhibiting the absorption of minerals

Phytic acid in soy contains high amount compared to most other beans. Phytic acid can inhibit the absorption of certain minerals such as magnesium, calcium, iron and zinc. Epidemiological studies show that in developing countries who consume lots of soy bean-bijain and generally lack minerals.

Fact 2: Soybean contains inhibitors ezim

Containing soybean trypsin inhibitor enzymes needed for protein digestion. Cooking is normally not able to activate an anti-mengnon this nutrient, which if not treated can lead to the formation of amino acid deficiency or repair of body cells.

The process of making soy products with the intention for a particular purpose, among others, can reduce anti-nutrients can also be risky for our digestive system, because to make soy products like soy milk formula, soy protein powder, soy-based vegetarian meat, through a process of heating soybean and washed with alkaline water, according to scientists who actually make soy difficult to digest, and sometimes compounds like MSG is also added.


Fact 3: Soybean contains hemaglutin

Allegedly soybeans contain substances that can trigger the clumping together of red blood cells so that blood can not flow oxygen and nutris well.

Fact 4: Soybean contain goitrogen which can disrupt the body's thyroid function

Too much consumption of isoflavones contained in soy per day can weaken thyroid function. The relationship between soy and thyroid have been found in treatment. Consumption of soy in large amounts may affect the effectiveness of thyroid medication. There is great evidence that the isoflavones contained in soy milk products are inhibitors of thyroid peroxidase which makes T3 and T4.

To explain whether soybeans would suppress the function of the thyroid gland (goiter) in healthy adults, conducted a study of 37 people who have never had a thyroid problem. They were given 30 g of soy every day and is divided into 3 groups according to age and period of delivery and soybeans.

In group 1, 20 subjects were given soy for a month. Groups 2 and 3 which consists of seven young people (average age 29 years) and 10 elderly (mean age 61 years, given the amount of 30 grams of soy for 3 months. The results obtained in all groups of serum thyroid hormone remains changed, but the TSH increased significantly, although still within normal limits.

Hipometabolik symptoms (malaise, constipation great, sleep disorders) and goiter (symptoms of thyroid disorders) appears in about half of group 2 and 3 after consuming soy for 3 months, and the symptoms disappeared after discontinuation of soy consumption for 1 month. The findings of this study concluded that administration of excessive soy for a certain period can interfere with thyroid function and cause goiter in healthy people, especially for those who are old.

In 1997, researchers from the "National Center for toxicological Research FDA" finds that the parts that are goitrogenik on it is the same with soy isoflavones.

According to research published by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (1994) 60:333-340 memperlihakan 25 mg of soy protein isolate, the minimum amount that is claimed to have cholesterol lowering effects, contains 50-70 mg of isoflavones, and it only takes 45 mg of isoflavones in women premenapause to can cause hormonal changes, including decreased thyroid function. These effects can last for 3 months after intake is stopped.

Fact 5: Soybean contains substances that can disrupt the balance of female hormones.

Soy contains isoflavones which on one side said to be very good for health as many publications that you may already know, but on the other hand isoflavones also have a negative effect for the balance of hormones in women.

Since 1950, researchers have identified that the soy isoflavones as a source of phytoestrogens. Potential estrogenic effects of soy 1 / 500 of estrogen that is naturally flowing in our body.
Soybean may compete as an estrogen in the body, thus reducing the effects of natural estrogen in the body and at the same time the excess consumption of soy may cause estrogen-like hormone stack, which results in excess hormones.

Estrogen dominance (excess estrogen) compared with progesterone according to Dr.. Jonh R. Lee M. D, author of the book What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About premenopausal, can cause diseases such as menstrual irregularities, infertility, cysts, endometriosis and myoma.

Studies in hamsters showed that isoflavones found in soy can speed up the time of puberty in the rodents.

Another study showed that consumed 45 mg isoflavones for 1 month of soy protein isolate cause hormonal changes in women. And 1992, the Swiss health service estimated 100 mg of soy protein is estrogenic same with the contraceptive pill.

In vitro studies showed that isoflavones can inhibit the synthesis of estradiol and other steroids hormones, and reproductive problems, infertility, tioroid disease and liver disease associated with consumption of isoflavones has been investigated in some animals including mice, cheetah tiger, pig and sheep.

Fact 6: Soybean as a contraceptive pill in infants.

Babies who get formula milk only from soy isoflavones may also obtain, and the estimated level of serum estrogen 13.000-22.0000 times greater than in infants receiving formula milk than regular milk.

According to Irvine in the New Zealand Medical Journal, diperikirakan 25% of children in the U.S. receive soy formula, higher than other western countries. And is estimated to infants fed soy formula obtained only from estrogen (by weight) at least the equivalent of 5 birth control pills a day.

In July 1996, UK Department of Health warned that the phytoestrogens found in soy-based infant formula effect is not good for baby's health. If it is allowed to disturb the hormone balance then later on, so soy formulations should only be given to babies by health experts after considering various things.

Fact 7: Soybean damage sperm

Research conducted by Professor Lynn Fraser of King's College London, said that soy genistein-containing compounds that can damage the central movement of sperm cells to swim toward the egg. The presence of even small amounts of genistein remain dangerous. These compounds have the ability to burn sperm.

Fraser proficiency level of the research results suggest that women who wanted the pregnancy to not eat soy in the days of fertility. Fraser described genistein contained in any food products from soybeans. ''Includes soy milk and a number of packaged foods for vegetarians.

Fraser conducted the study in the laboratory against human sperm. Describing compounds genistein on sperm in the dish preparation. These compounds quickly trigger reaction of sperm in large quantities.

Sperm''seems to have the power to fertilize an egg.''But in real life, a new force appears when the sperm is already inside the egg for several hours. That, too, after completing the sperm's journey to swim toward the egg. ''The presence of genistein in the vicinity and inside the womb will make the sperm mature too quickly and eventually thwart conception.

Genistein looks different reaction rates in mice. Genistein concentration required in higher doses to trigger a reaction in mice. ''Meanwhile, in humans, very small doses it is harmful.

Fraser himself was surprised by his findings. He does not think humans are so sensitive to compounds that soybean. ''Unfortunately, until now not known safe level for humans.

Fraser said his research is not intended to make people stop eating soy. However, women who were trying to have children dianjurkannya not eat food from soybean in ovulation. Avoiding soy''probably will not increase fertility but this step provides little additional opportunities to get pregnant.

Fact 7: Soybean is also there which is a product of transgenic

Sigi report on coverage of 6 SCTV (10.23.2006), that the official data says Indonesia every year consume GMO soybeans from the U.S. as much as 1.2 million tons or more than 75 percent of total national soybean consumption. In fact, there are times throughout Indonesia imported soy consumption was imported from the U.S.. Ironically, U.S. Department of Agriculture declared not responsible for circulating GM products into the market.

Transgenic plants are plants that have been engineered shape and quality through the insertion of genes or DNA of animals, bacteria, microbes, or a virus for a particular purpose. For example, a tomato gene inserted to hold the frozen fish or soy injected genes in soil bacteria. Be an alternative transgenic crops resistant to cold, abundant, and not immune to pests. In fact, plants engineered to be able to kill pests that attack these plants.

The consumer advocates and environmental activists condemned genetic engineering such as it is considered excessive and unnatural nature. In addition, of course not safe for the environment and human health. No wonder if in some countries, including Indonesia, transgenic products often protests.

The author himself does not forbid you to consume soy products because soy contains a lot of benefits, but the authors suggest you eat more soy products that have undergone a process of fermentation like miso, tempeh, and combined with other foods. Especially for those who have problems related to hypothyroidism, infertility, or hormonal disorders would be nice to limit a product that has not been fermented soy such as tofu, tofu, soy protein isolate, soy formula or soy milk. And it would be better if the product is not derived from the product tansgenik.

reading list :

1. Van Rensburg et al., "Nutritional status of African populations predisposed to esophageal cancer", Nutrition and Cancer, vol. 4, 1983, pp. 206-216; Moser, P.B. et al., "Copper, iron, zinc and selenium dietary intake and status of Nepalese lactating women and their breastfed infants", American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 47:729-734, April 1988; Harland, B.F. et al., "Nutritional status and phytate: zinc and phytate X calcium: zinc dietary molar ratios of lacto-ovovegetarian Trappist monks: 10 years later", Journal of the American Dietetic Association 88:1562-1566, December 1988.

2. El Tiney, A.H., "Proximate Composition and Mineral and Phytate Contents of Legumes Grown in Sudan", Journal of Food Composition and Analysis (1989) 2:6778.

3. Ologhobo, A.D. et al., "Distribution of phosphorus and phytate in some Nigerian varieties of legumes and some effects of processing", Journal of Food Science 49(1):199-201, January/February 1984.

4. Sandstrom, B. et al., "Effect of protein level and protein source on zinc absorption in humans", Journal of Nutrition 119(1):48-53, January 1989; Tait, Susan et al., "The availability of minerals in food, with particular reference to iron", Journal of Research in Society and Health 103(2):74-77, April 1983.

5. Phytate reduction of zinc absorption has been demonstrated in numerous studies. These results are summarised in Leviton, Richard, Tofu, Tempeh, Miso and Other Soyfoods: The 'Food of the Future' - How to Enjoy Its Spectacular Health Benefits, Keats Publishing, Inc., New Canaan, CT, USA, 1982, p. 1415.

6. Mellanby, Edward, "Experimental rickets: The effect of cereals and their interaction with other factors of diet and environment in producing rickets", Journal of the Medical Research Council 93:265, March 1925; Wills, M.R. et al., "Phytic Acid and Nutritional Rickets in Immigrants", The Lancet, April 8,1972, pp. 771-773.

7. Ishizuki Y, Hirooka Y, Murata Y, Togashi K., “The effects on the thyroid gland of soybeans administered experimentally in healthy subjects” Nippon Naibunpi Gakkai Zasshi 1991 May 20 67:5 622-9

8. Divi, R.L. et al., "Anti-thyroid isoflavones from the soybean", Biochemical Pharmacology (1997) 54:1087-1096.

9. Cassidy, A. et al., "Biological Effects of a Diet of Soy Protein Rich in Isoflavones on the Menstrual Cycle of Premenopausal Women", American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (1994) 60:333-340.

10. Setchell, K.D. et al., "Isoflavone content of infant formulas and the metabolic fate of these early phytoestrogens in early life", American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, December 1998 Supplement, 1453S-1461S.

11. Irvine, C. et al., "The Potential Adverse Effects of Soybean Phytoestrogens in Infant Feeding", New Zealand Medical Journal May 24, 1995, p. 318.

12. Keung, W.M., "Dietary oestrogenic isoflavones are potent inhibitors of B-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase of P. testosteronii", Biochemical and Biophysical Research Committee (1995) 215:1137-1144; Makela, S.I. et al., "Estrogen-specific 12 B-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase type 1 (E.C. 1.1.1.62) as a possible target for the action of phytoestrogens", PSEBM (1995) 208:51-59.

13. Setchell, K.D.R. et al., "Dietary oestrogens - a probable cause of infertility and liver disease in captive cheetahs", Gastroenterology (1987) 93:225-233; Leopald, A.S., "Phytoestrogens: Adverse effects on reproduction in California Quail," Science (1976) 191:98-100; Drane, H.M. et al., "Oestrogenic activity of soya-bean products", Food, Cosmetics and Technology (1980) 18:425-427; Kimura, S. et al.,

14. Setchell, K.D. et al., "Isoflavone content of infant formulas and the metabolic fate of these early phytoestrogens in early life", American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, December 1998 Supplement, 1453S-1461S.

15. Lynn R. Fraser et al - Effects of estrogenic xenobiotics on human and mouse spermatozoa, Hum. Reprod. Advance Access published online on February 3, 2006