Confused about soy?

There have been many studies recently showing that soy products, particularly soy milk may not be as healthy as previously thought. I drank soy milk many years ago but stopped in light of the emerging research and have switched to raw cows milk. Raw milk is unadulterated. No pasteurisation or homogenisation. It only lasts a week, as nature intended but the nutrients, enzymes and good bacteria stay in tact because it hasn’t been heated and processed. Raw milk is much easier to digest for these reasons. Tempeh is less processed than other soy products and due to the fermentation process it reduces the anti-nutrients and retains more fibre and protein. Reasonable amounts of tempeh and miso are ok.

Some things to consider about soy:

-Most soy milks are high in sugar.

-High levels of phytic acid in soy reduce absorption of calcium, copper, iron and zinc which are important nutrients for growth in children and bone health in adults.

-Soy contains anti-thyroid agents that may disturb the proper functioning of the thyroid gland.

-Phytoestrogens in soy have been studied in depth but the research is still conflicted about their role in fertility and breast cancer.

-Soy foods increase the body’s need for Vitamin D.(www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15009584)

-Processing of soy proteins results in the formation of toxic lysinoalanine and carcinogenic nitrosamines.

-Soy beans contain high amounts of aluminium, which is toxic to the nervous system and kidneys.