What is Wrong With Soy?

A few years ago, soy was considered a ‘miracle food’ or a ‘superfood’. But is soy good or bad for you?

No soy. Vector sign.

A few years ago, soy was considered a ‘miracle food’ or a ‘superfood’. Dedicated health fanatics everywhere were slugging down soy milk, soy protein bars, tofu, tofurky and soy everything. But is soy really good for you?
Only a few decades ago, the soybean (unfermented) was considered unfit to eat–even in Asia where it originated. In western civilizations, it has been touted as a “health food”.

The soybean was not even considered edible until the discovery of fermentation techniques. Soy was only eaten as food in a fermented form like tempeh, natto, miso and soy sauce.

Unfermented soybeans contain large quantities of natural toxins which are actually “anti-nutrients”. These anti-nutrients block enzymes that are necessary for digestion and absorption of nutrients.

The natural toxins in soy can also produce serious digestive difficulties digesting proteins and amino acids. Some of the natural toxins in soybeans are growth inhibitors, and since they block nutrient absorption, soy should never be fed to children and babies, even though soy based baby formula has been used for years as a milk substitute.

Soybeans and other legumes contain large amounts of a substance called phytic acid. Phytic acid can be found in hulls of many beans or seeds. It blocks essential minerals–calcium, magnesium, copper, iron, and especially zinc from being absorbed.

Soybeans typically contain one of the highest phytate levels of any legume, and even long, slow heating or cooking will not get rid of this substance. Only certain fermenting techniques will remove this nutrient blocker. Phytate content can also be reduced by eating meat with the soy. In many oriental dishes, soy is often consumed in a meal that has meat as a part of the menu.

So then, if you are a vegetarian, eating tofu and soy products as a substitute for meat and protein will most likely cause you to have nutritional deficiencies. Not only does the risk of B12 deficiency go way up, but mineral deficiencies are very common as well. Zinc, calcium, magnesium and iron deficiencies are all very common, but zinc deficiency is usually the worst.

Mineral deficiencies may show up as unnatural cravings for foods like chocolate, and other less-than-healthy foods, like.
Zinc is necessary for a strong immune system and also plays a role in intelligence and behavior, because it is needed for proper functioning of the brain and nervous system. Zinc is very important to protein synthesis and collagen formation; it is involved in blood-sugar control, and it is needed for a healthy reproductive system.

Soy is now the number one Genetically Engineered crop in the US. In fact 90% of the soy in the food supply is genetically modified soy. GM soy causes major issues like infertility, immune problems, accelerated aging, and scary changes in the cellular structure of major organs. And the antibiotic resistant genes in soy may be responsible for contributing to to new ‘superbugs’.

Children are the most susceptible to the harmful effects of soy and GMO foods. GMO soy has been tied to an increase in allergies, asthma, and a propensity to get antibiotic resistant infections.

Soy protein isolate, (SPI) is the often primary protein component in many soy foods, or protein supplements, as well as baby formulas and some brands of soy milk. What is soy protein isolate? Don’t be fooled, this is not a naturally occurring part of soy. Soybeans are made into a slurry and combined with an alkaline solution to remove the fiber, and then separated using an acid wash and,  finally, neutralized in an alkaline solution.

The acid washing process is done in aluminum tanks, which leach aluminum into the soy products. Soy curds are spray-dried at high temperatures to produce a protein powder. This high temperature, high-pressure process then creates TVP or textured vegetable (or soy) protein. The high temperature processing actually denatures the protein, making it virtually useless.

Nitrites (a potent cancer-causing agent–the same ones that are in processed meats like bacon and salami) are created in the spray drying process, and a toxin called lysinoalanine is formed during the alkaline processing. Does soy still sound like the healthy super food you thought it was?

Soy protein isolate used be a waste product of soy processing. Now, it is transformed from unappetizing by-products into something that will be consumed by human beings. Added flavorings, preservatives, sweeteners, emulsifiers and synthetic nutrients change soy protein isolate, into a seemingly delicious manufactured food.

Experiments using soy protein isolate created deficiencies of vitamins E, D, B12, calcium, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, copper, iron and zinc. The test animals also developed an enlarged pancreas and thyroid gland, and fatty livers.

You don’t have to be a vegetarian to be eating soy protein isolate and textured vegetable protein. These products are heavily used in school lunch programs, commercial baked goods, diet foods and fast food products, as well as meat substitutes, protein powders, meal replacement shakes, and energy bars. Many third world countries use soy as a main part of food giveaway programs to starving people.

Soy also contains plant estrogens that disrupt the natural balance of hormones in the body. And if you are a man, do you want to be eating or drinking soy products loaded with substances that mimic female hormones, and lower testosterone? High soy consumption an actually contribute to male breast growth, aka – “man boobs” (gynecomastia). Soy’s phytoestrogens can be potentially harmful to women as well, upsetting the delicate natural balance of female hormone.

Excess amounts of soy given to young children and babies can also actually disrupt their sex hormones creating feminine traits in males and females. Unfortunately soy based baby formulas are frequently given to babies as a substitute for milk based formulas.

Soy also interferes with the body’s ability to process the thyroid hormone, a key hormone in metabolism, energy. and fat burning ability. In studies of women who consumed even small quantities of soy, thyroid function was shown to be greatly reduced.

Soy is one of the top ten food allergens, and some rate it fifth or sixth highest of allergenic foods. Allergic reactions to soy are increasingly common, ranging from mild to life threatening, especially due to the fact that most all soy is now genetically modified.

Soy is still being marketed to health-conscious consumers, although it is beginning to lose some of its popularity. While the media and soy producers have created an image in the public’s mind of soy as a healthy ‘natural’ superfood, and a supposedly healthy way to escape the so-called evils of saturated fat and cholesterol, in reality, it is far worse.

Don’t be deceived by clever marketing, soy is not a healthy addition to your diet. Avoid soy!

Hidden Food Addictions Can Make You GAIN Weight

Think—what foods do you eat day in, and day out on a regular basis? Foods eaten daily can often cause chronic health problems. Would you believe that the majority of people have some hidden food sensitivities?

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Think—what foods do you eat day in, and day out on a regular basis?

Often these may not even be foods you realize you are eating, but exist as ingredients in many packaged foods. Foods and food substances, eaten every day can often cause chronic health problems like weight gain, puffiness, inflammation—and even more serious health conditions like migraine headaches, arthritis, osteoporosis, neuropathy, bladder infections and other illnesses associated with long-term nutrient deficiencies.

One of the most overlooked and least understood parts of diet is food allergies and sensitivities. Did you know that a large percentage of the population has food sensitivities and don’t know it? Many allergies and sensitivities come are actually food addictions.

Food allergies or sensitivities do not always occur as a big, full-blown allergic reaction with hives, shortness of breath and anaphylactic reactions. Often these food reactions can occur on a ‘sub-clinical’ level without obvious symptoms. But not always obvious is the inflammation and reaction on the cellular level.

As surprising as it sounds, it is possible to be both allergic and addicted to a food or chemical substance—and this is often the case. The two things go hand in hand.

This sets up cravings with both physiological (physical) and psychological (mental or emotional) discomfort, withdrawal symptoms and cravings when the offending food is not available.

While there often is a much longer list, the top offenders are usually foods that contain wheat, dairy, corn or soy. And if you think about it, its pretty hard to avoid these foods as they are the ingredients in many, many processed or packaged foods—and often disguised as ingredients you may not recognize.

What happens in a food sensitivity reaction? Foods that are partially digested leak through the cell wall of the intestinal lining. Then the undigested particles of food are attacked by the immune system as if they are foreign invaders.

When the immune system is activated, our bodies react in a similar way to fighting off a virus or bacterial invasion. The ability to fight other infections drops, inflammation in the body goes up and some kind of reaction takes place. Often it is a chronic reaction because the offending food is eaten every day.

When reactions occur to foods that are eaten on a regular day-to-day basis, there is constant chronic inflammation that can manifest as a variety of symptoms.

Part of the weight gained from food allergies is fluid retention caused by inflammation and the release of certain hormones. In addition, some foods do not break down and digest properly–particularly carbohydrate–in the intestines which can result in a swollen distended belly, indigestion, and gas production.

Eating these foods actually creates a physiological reaction in the body similar to way we would react to an addictive drug like cocaine or heroin. Foods can release substances in the body that create an almost euphoric high. This reaction is just like when an addict gets “high”.  Endorphins and other hormones are released, the body reacts and then withdraws.

And guess what? All addictions have the same type of reaction – whether cigarettes, coffee, heroin, corn, wheat, milk or other foods. Both addictive and allergic responses to a food allergy can cause uncontrollable eating behavior. Every hear someone say they just can’t live without their _________ (fill in the blank here–bread, pasta, milk, etc.) ?

And it’s not just hives or a rash that come from the allergy-addiction syndrome. Most any chronic physical problem can come from a low grade food allergy. As Dr. Ellen Grant reported in the medical journal, Lancet, 85% of people who suffer from migraines could be symptom-free if they eliminated common food allergens. And, there is also strong evidence that chronic arthritis, asthma and diabetes may be caused by allergic reactions as well.

Huge numbers of people have hidden food allergies, which are manifested in the form of addictions. And the misleading thing is that food allergy reactions are not always immediate and severe (as in the case of hives, shortness of breath and other life threatening symptoms), but often reactions are very subtle and delayed for 24-48 hours, making it difficult to trace back to a particular food.

Food allergies and sensitivities can cause symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, heartburn, arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, sinusitis, irritability, yeast infections, migraines, rashes, psoriasis, acne, anxiety, depression, insomnia, PMS and more. Chronic food allergies can affect virtually any system in the body.

Often one of the best ways to detect a food sensitivity or delayed allergy reaction is to look at the foods that you eat every day, all the time. Can you go without them? Think about it–if you cannot live without your daily bread, bagel, cereal, etc., its highly possible you have a sensitivity to that food and is most likely it is causing an inflammatory reaction in your body.

What’s the solution? Anyone who is trying to lose weight or has any kind of chronic health condition should look at food allergies or sensitivities. Become suspicious if you eat a particular food every day—and that includes most of us—or if you have a favorite food that you eat often or crave. Pay attention when you are eating—are there certain foods you just cannot get enough of?

Since the most common offenders are wheat, corn, soy and dairy products, the first step is an elimination diet.  Remove all the foods that contain wheat, corn, soy and dairy from your diet for a minimum period of two weeks.

That means reading every label and scrutinizing everything you are eating. Most processed or packaged foods contain these ingredients in some form, so eating simple one-ingredient natural foods is the easiest way to avoid the allergens—and it’s far healthier as well. So for example, eat an apple instead of something out of a box.

It’s important to note that wheat is the primary content of most all flours (except gluten free) and prepared items, so that means cutting out most all breads—whether its whole wheat, rye or white; pastas, crackers, cookies, cereals, and more. However, it’s pretty easy now to find plenty of wheat and gluten free items to substitute–but watch out for added corn in gluten free items.

Wheat and corn starch are also commonly used as thickeners in sauces and gravies as well, so beware when eating prepared soups or eating out when sauces are served with foods.

Doing an elimination diet is NOT easy. You may feel intense cravings the first 24-48 hours after you start and you could begin to feel sick as your body detoxes the offending substances out of your body.

But–if you stick with it–4 or 5 days into the diet, you may suddenly feel like a brand new person!  Your energy will rebound, you will have sparkling mental clarity, and smooth glowing skin. Not only that, but many lose 5-10 pounds in 4-5 days! As you continue on the diet, you may also continue to lose weight, since you are not overeating certain foods to get your ‘fix’.

After the two weeks, slowly re-introduce the allergenic foods, one at a time. Try adding wheat back in for one full day, then wait 2 more days to record any delayed symptoms. When you add in a food, eat it at all three meals to get the full reaction. You may be really shocked!

Food allergies and sensitivities have been ignored by most medical doctors. Because no pharmaceuticals are involved,doctors don’t tend to diagnose or treat health conditions with elimination diet.

The simplest answer to food allergies and sensitivities is to eat pure, natural, whole foods like grass fed meats, fresh fruits and vegetables with ONE ingredient, and avoid processed, packaged convenience foods and fast foods with multiple ingredients.

Removing foods that you are allergic or sensitive to can have life changing benefits. You can actually change health issues such as depression and anxiety, improve your sleep, have better digestion, clearer skin, reduce asthma, stop eczema and psoriasis,  and end arthritis and joint pain, and more. It’s really worth the effort.

To get help for an elimination/detox diet, contact me at Cat (at) simplesmartnutrition(dot) com. I can help you–I’ve been there!

Till next time,

Stay healthy and lean!

 

 

Catherine (Cat) Ebeling RN BSN,is a back to basics diet and nutrition specialist. In addition to her advanced degree in nursing from a major medical school, she has spent the last 30 years intensely studying diet, health and nutrition. She also has a book titled “The Fat Burning Kitchen, Your 24 Hour Diet Transformation” that has sold over 60,000 copies worldwide, and has helped thousands of people transform their lives, lose weight and improve their health.

Her mission is to help others prevent disease, lose weight, and live their best life ever.
Nutrition made Easy. Simple.Smart.Nutrition.

The Fat Burning Kitchen will get you started on the path to a healthy diet, weight loss and vibrant health.You will notice a difference in the first 24 hours! Learn about the so-called ‘health’ foods you may be eating that are actually ruining your health, and causing you to gain weight. And find out the best, fat-burning super-powered nutritious foods to eat to lose fat, gain boundless energy, and feel better than you ever have!

Dangerously ‘Doctored’ Foods to Avoid to Stay Healthy and Lean

While we generally don’t hear a lot about them, genetically modified foods could have some serious consequences on our health.
While there have been no ‘official’ studies done on humans, some of the effects GM foods have on animals is pretty frightening. The thing is, GM foods are not just for animals. In fact over 80% of soy, corn and cottonseed are now genetically modified.

I have sort of ignored all the noise about Genetically Modified foods, thinking it didn’t apply to me, etc. Well, once I started researching this particular subject, I realized how scary this stuff could be.  I will be sure to totally avoid all genetically modified foods from now on.

While we generally don’t hear a lot about them, genetically modified foods could have some serious consequences.

While there have been no ‘official’ studies done on humans, some of the effects GM foods have on animals is pretty frightening. The thing is, GM foods are not just for animals. They are well entrenched in our food supply. In fact over 80% of soy, corn and cottonseed are now genetically modified.

Animals fed genetically modified grains or seeds like corn, soy and cottonseed end up with problems with infertility, immune function, accelerated aging, insulin instability, and unhealthy changes in organs, including the GI system.

Genes have actually been added to some soy as a built in insecticide. But these genes are thought to be able to transfer themselves into the DNA of our intestinal flora, so when ingested, they may keep functioning. What you could end up with is something like a human pesticide factory within your GI system, long after the genetically modified food has been eaten.

Here are a few of the reactions that animals have had to some genetically modified foods:

•    Female rats fed genetically modified soy lost most of their offspring in less than 3 weeks.
•    Mice fed genetically modified soy had altered sperm cells and DNA structures, and their offspring had changed DNA as well.
•   When male rats fed were fed genetically modified soy their testicles changed from a healthy pink to dark blue.
•    Sheep died by the thousands after grazing on genetically modified cotton. Autopsies showed severe irritation and black patches in the intestines and liver, well as enlarged bile ducts.
•    Buffalo died in three days after eating GM cotton plants for the first time.
•    Thousands of farm workers have had severe allergic reactions from working around GM cotton.
•    Buffalo fed GM cottonseed had premature deliveries, abortions, infertility, and uterine problems. Most calves died, and the cows and bulls became sterile.

Because GM foods contain increased amounts of phyto-estrogens or plant estrogens, they could contribute to excess weight gain, gynecomastia (“man boobs”), and stubborn belly fat as being a factor in some cancers and other serious health issues.

Because genetically modified foods contain modified proteins they can be responsible for more allergic reactions in people. Genetically modified soy contains a protein that can cause severe allergic reactions. When GM soy was introduced in the UK, allergic reactions to soy increased 50% or more.

Genetically modified foods now contain new and unknown substances that have never been present in nature before.

Do you want to trust this? I sure don’t. We have no way of knowing what kinds of ill health effects they can produce in humans, especially if you look at some of the negative reactions that animals have had to GM foods.

Similar to so many other chemically altered foods, there have been no long-term studies done on the safety of GM foods. Looks like once again we will be the human guinea pigs.

The big biotech companies that produce genetically modified foods have been allowed, in the US at least, to govern their own work, and the government has stepped back and allowed it. My guess is that the big biotech companies care less about our welfare and more their bottom line.

So this leaves it up to you, to protect your own health and avoid these biological experiments.

How do we escape the possible health consequences of genetically modified foods?

The most common genetically modified foods are:

•    Soy
•    Corn
•    Cottonseed Oil
•    Canola Oil

Around 80% of these foods are now genetically modified, unless they are organic.

And that’s not all the genetically modified foods:

Rice–Allegedly, there are reports of rice varieties containing human genes to be grown in the United States. Genetically modified rice can cause allergic reactions and gene transfers.

Tomatoes–Tomatoes have been genetically modified for longer shelf life. In studies on animals, the animal test subjects died within a few weeks after consuming GM tomatoes.

Rapeseed or Canola Oil—Canola oil is often used in cooking oil and margarine spreads. A variety of canola oil developed in 1998 is considered to be the most disease- and drought-resistant variety of rapeseed to date. Today about 80% of the acres sown are genetically modified canola. Honey often comes from GM canola plants as well.

Peas—GM peas contain a gene that functions as a pesticide inside cells, and could cause an an allergic response when eaten.

Conventionally raised meat, dairy products, farmed fish and eggs—These animals are fed with genetically modified feed. Buy “organic,” wild caught, or from “100 % grass-fed” animals.

NutraSweet and Equal—According to some reports, these artificial sweeteners are created with genetically modified microorganisms. While this stuff is bad for you in many ways, here is just one more reason to avoid it.

There are also zucchini, crook neck squash, Hawaiian papaya, and sugar beets (used for making table sugar) that are now genetically modified as well.

I don’t know about you, but I certainly do not want this stuff in MY body!

Besides the health issues that have appeared in animals, who wants their DNA altered? Eating genetically modified foods could cause weird forms of cancer and other deadly diseases—and some new diseases that modern medicine has never seen before. That’s a dangerous gamble I’m not willing to risk with my health.

A biotechnology scientist had this to say about GM foods:  “For the first time in the world, we’ve proven that GMO’s are neither sufficiently healthy nor proper to be commercialized. […] For all three GMOs, [soy, corn, cotton] the kidneys and liver, which are the main organs that react to a chemical food poisoning, had problems…”

How do we avoid genetically modified foods and their potential health problems?  It’s easy if you follow a natural, healthy diet.

Avoid the packaged, processed foods, especially those containing soy, corn, sugar and vegetable oils. These foods are terribly unhealthy, full of chemicals, and cause inflammation and fat storage anyway.

Remember these three things to avoid genetically modified foods:

1.    Eat organic—Foods labeled “Organic” or “Certified Organic” cannot be genetically modified in any way.
2.    Look for “Non-GMO” on the label. Many food companies label foods as “non GMO” or add this phrase to the label,  “Made without genetically modified ingredients.”
3.    Avoid any food or food additives that contain the most genetically modified ingredients. These are: soy, corn, cottonseed, canola, and artificial sweeteners.

Genetically modified foods look exactly like any other foods, so you can’t tell by looking at them if they are or not.

Produce like tangelos, seedless watermelons, seedless grapes, low acid tomatoes, and other new varieties of fruit and vegetables are created by natural breeding, not genetic modification, so these foods are fine to eat.

The bottom line is that genetically modified foods have not been tested and we don’t really know whether these foods are safe to eat or not.

We may probably never really know the real harm genetically modified foods can cause, because of the length of time it may take diseases to develop. If you take a look at the health problems that genetically modified foods are causing in animals, it should be a fairly easy assumption that they can and will cause serious, and often deadly health issues in humans as well.

Just one more reason why paying attention to the food you eat, and eating a diet of only REAL, natural foods is extremely important.

Till next time,

Stay Healthy and Lean!

 

 

Catherine (Cat) Ebeling RN BSN, is a back to basics diet and nutrition specialist. In addition to her advanced degree in nursing from a major medical school, she has spent the last 30 years intensely studying diet, health and nutrition. She also has a book titled “The Fat Burning Kitchen, Your 24 Hour Diet Transformation” that has sold over 60,000 copies worldwide, and has helped thousands of people transform their lives, lose weight and improve their health.

Her mission is to help others prevent disease and live their best life ever.

Nutrition made Easy. Simple.Smart.Nutrition.

 

 

Jeffrey Smith, Wise Traditions in Food, Farming and the Healing Arts, the quarterly magazine of the Weston A. Price Foundation, Spring 2008.

www.Foodmatters.tv, The truth is out on GMO foods and it’s not pretty. May 2009.

Aurora Geib, GMO alert: top 10 genetically modified foods to avoid eating, Natural News, May 2012.

3 ‘Healthy’ Foods to Stop Eating

 

Historically, humans consumed over 80,000 species of edible plants, animals, and fungi, but in our modern dietary world, the average American gets almost 70% of their caloric intake from THREE foods!

And those foods have been pushed as ‘healthy’ but they are actually leading us to multiple chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes–as well as obesity.

What are these so-called ‘healthy foods’ we need to stop eating?

3 ‘healthy foods to stop eating

You’ll see in that article what these 3 foods are, and why it is NOT a good idea to obtain 67% of your caloric intake from only 3 foods. 

This article also has 7 great tips on how to how to eat to get lean for life from fitness and nutrition specialist, Mike Geary.

 

3 Healthy Foods to Stop Eating

 

Till next time,
Stay healthy and lean!

 

cat A Superfood That Improves Athletic Performance and Recovery, Burns Fat, and Helps Your Love Life Too!

DSC 6815 A Superfood That Improves Athletic Performance and Recovery, Burns Fat, and Helps Your Love Life Too! Catherine (Cat) Ebeling RN BSN, is a back to basics diet and nutrition specialist. In addition to her advanced degree in nursing from a major medical school, she has spent the last 30 years intensely studying diet, health and nutrition. She also has a book titled “The Fat Burning Kitchen, Your 24 Hour Diet Transformation” that has sold over 60,000 copies worldwide, and has helped thousands of people transform their lives, lose weight and improve their health.  

Her mission is to help others prevent disease and live their best life ever.    

Nutrition made Easy. Simple.Smart.Nutrition.