Could Eating Too Much Soy Be Bad for You?

New studies suggest that eating large amounts of soy’s estrogen-mimicking compounds might reduce fertility in women, trigger early puberty and disrupt development of fetuses and children















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The rats were tested before and during pregnancy, and then several generations of their offspring were examined. The study, by a team including Newbold and Barry Delclos of the National Center for Toxicological Research, was published in the journal in April.

In male rats, high doses led to abnormal growth of breast cells, but did not cause cancer or the feminization of reproductive organs, according to another study by Newbold and others published in November.

In those two studies, the rodents were fed at least five times more genistein than the amount that people would be exposed to through food, supplements or infant formula. Such a high dose was used because they wanted to test the effects of the maximum amount that could be ingested by the rats without severely limiting their ability to reproduce.

The growing body of research in recent years raises questions about possible risks to women trying to get pregnant, as well as to developing fetuses and infants who consume large amounts of genistein in formula, some researchers said.

The findings trouble Heather Patisaul, a developmental biologist at North Carolina State University, and others who study soy's impact on development.

“Our reproductive system and the rat reproductive system aren’t that different. The same hormones are involved," Patisaul said.

While any impacts on adult fertility are likely reversed by eating less soy, impacts on the reproductive tracts of infants could be permanent.

But to date, only one study has looked at the long-term effects of soy formula on reproductive development in people. It found that women fed soy formula as infants had slightly longer periods and more menstrual cramping than those who were not fed soy formula.

Brain development, which begins in the womb and continues through puberty, also may be altered by estrogen in soy, Patisaul said. It is controlled by a well-organized combination of genes and hormones. Introducing compounds that mimic estrogen could throw off the balance, with long-term impacts on behavior and brain chemistry.

Studying the health outcomes of fetal or early infant exposure can be difficult, according to Benson Akingbemi, a developmental biologist at Auburn University. Reproductive changes are often not apparent until adulthood.

Another difficulty is that infant formulas vary in isoflavone content depending on the type of soybean used and the conditions—such as soil type—that the beans were grown in, making dosage very hard to control.

In 2008, the American Association of Pediatricians reviewed all current scientific studies of the effects of soy formula on infants. There is no conclusive evidence that it harms infant development, reproduction or endocrine function, stated the American Association of Pediatricians.

Based on current research, “no changes in infant feeding practices are recommended,” wrote Haley Curtis, a scientific affairs specialist at the International Formula Council, in an email. “Infant formula is safe and nutritious.”

But Akingbemi believes that limiting exposure wouldn’t hurt.

“The current scientific evidence isn’t enough to say that exposure to these compounds is toxic, but we also can’t say with certainty that there is no effect,” he said.

Some researchers believe that waiting for proof from long-term human data may come at a price.

Patisaul compares the effects of genistein to Bisphenol A, or BPA, the estrogenic compound found in plastic bottles that many scientists suspect can harm brain and reproductive development.

“Genistein does the same thing and yet we are supposed to be eating tons of it because it’s supposedly healthy—it just doesn’t make sense,” she said.

This article originally ran at Environmental Health News, a news source published by Environmental Health Sciences, a nonprofit media company.



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  1. 1. SmallU 05:18 PM 11/4/09

    Ok, was this study funded by the National Meat Institute? Seriously, Okinawans consume 60-120 grams of soy protein per day and have the longest, healthiest lives of any population on the planet. People in China consume 30-50 grams per day and CLEARLY reproductivity is not a challenge there (Wilcox et al, 2004). I think I'll trust human-based evidence, thank you, and not something concocted in a lab on a completely different specie. I am irritated that mice had to be even slightly inconvenienced for such a study. (Also, in response to breast milk being better for your kid than formula: duh).

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  2. 2. Pat O'Green 03:43 AM 11/6/09

    I wish they would have more evidence before making these claims, rats and humans have very different metabolic systems and will react very differently. This is actually a positive finding, with the world population at such levels maybe restricting reproduction is an excellent idea.

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  3. 3. Dr. Steve 08:04 AM 11/14/09

    My reading of the literature suggests that dairy milk contains significant amounts of bovine estrogen. I would like to see a comparison of the estrogenic effects of dairy to those of the phytoestrogens in soy. Perhaps the dairy industry has discouraged this type of research.

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  4. 4. atmajnana 11:53 AM 11/25/09

    If what this so-called scientifically findings is true, it is in the mice. Men are not mice,
    The Chinese in China have been consuming Soya Bean(the miracle bean) for thousands of years, even the Japanese also do, then all Chines would have died out a long time ago. i think this article is scientiffically flawed.

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  5. 5. fez001 05:19 PM 12/11/09

    Here's a good blog on the topic reviewing all evidence. Seems it's ok to eat a bit but not overdo it for women and avoid around ovulating.
    http://drfionamcculloch.wordpress.com/2009/12/10/soy-and-fertility-part-1-phytoestrogens-and-fertility-in-women/

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  6. 6. fez001 05:20 PM 12/11/09

    also the article i talked about above shows why rats and humans are different so they can't be compared ...the rats make equol in their intestines which is a stronger estrogen than soy.

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  7. 7. bubidu 06:13 PM 1/6/10

    Well, in the following link John Robbins answers my concerns about soy since I am vegetarian. Check it out

    Ahmad

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  8. 8. bubidu 06:18 PM 1/6/10

    In the following link John Robbins answers my concerns about soy since I am vegetarian. Check it out..
    There's a lot of misleading information out there..

    The article discusses how for Okinawans, soy compromises 12% of their deit.. They have up to 80% less cancer cases and heart diseases than leading industrialized nations.

    http://www.foodrevolution.org/mothering.htm

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  9. 9. Bops 12:13 AM 1/9/10

    Try using soy to reduce hot flashes....Nothing, changes!!!!
    You can eat barrels of it! Nothing happens!!!

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  10. 10. stupidvegetarians 01:06 PM 1/9/10

    Our bodies did not evolve eating grains and legumes. These weren't consumed by humans until the dawn of civilization and agriculture and our bodies are genetically identical to those of our pre-agricultural ancestors. All the ailments of modern man come from the modern diet. We are designed to eat meat supplemented with foods of high nutrient value, ie. fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds. Not food products made from heavily processed and refined grains and legumes that our ancient ancestors didn't eat. I have never in my life met a truly fit, athletic vegetarian because they don't exist and supplementing with anti-nutrient short chain proteins such as soy will never offer the benefits of eating real, whole food. Meat. All of the vegatarians I know are thin and weak because you cannot build your body on proteins your body was never designed to consume. Imaginary ethics that contradict your genetics and the laws of nature are the only reason anyone would consume the poison that is soy and if you can't wrap your head around that it's probably because your brain is weak from improper protein consumption.

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  11. 11. cadet_mahoney in reply to stupidvegetarians 01:40 PM 1/14/10

    I am a fellow meat eater, but thought I'd inform you that Tony Gonzalez of the Atlanta Falcons is not only a vegetarian, but is a VEGAN. He doesn't exactly fit into your blockheaded idea of vegetarians, now does he? 6'5", 244 lbs. football player? That constitutes a "truly fit, athletic vegetarian" in my book.

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  12. 12. cadet_mahoney 01:43 PM 1/14/10

    I am a fellow meat eater, but thought I'd inform you that Tony Gonzalez of the Atlanta Falcons is not only a vegetarian, but is a VEGAN. He doesn't exactly fit into your obtuse idea of vegetarians, now does he? 6'5", 244 lbs. football player? That constitutes a "truly fit, athletic vegetarian" in my book.

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  13. 13. mgetoff 11:05 AM 1/15/10

    The soy eaten by Asians is not the same soy we eat here. They eat fermented soy (miso, tempeh) and what is found here in the US, at least, is unfermented soy which is, according to this article, http://www.naturalnews.com/025513_soy_food_soybeans.html, not fit for human consumption. You have to look at the type of soy and not just say that because Asians aren't dying, we can eat soy! Be informed. Most soy products Americans eat can cause health problems.

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  14. 14. voyagevixen 09:53 PM 3/2/10

    Tri athlete Brendan Brazier, UFC Fighter Mac Danzig, NHL Star Georges Laraque, Olympic gold medal winner Carl Lewis are all vegan. Certainly one can excel as a vegan/vegetarian athlete

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  15. 15. For All Animals in reply to SmallU 11:15 PM 3/27/10

    No doubt!!! Come on people! I agree fully with the whole 'funded by the meat institute' and was thinking the same exact thing!! LOL! Thank you! :) I was born and raised a vegetarian and have lived a life of eating soy based products, and it's not until I started eating meat that I have felt the worst. I grew up a very healthy baby and had no problems at all and all my protein came from soy.

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  16. 16. For All Animals 11:27 PM 3/27/10

    There is more protein in an ounce of soy than there is in an ounce of dead animal flesh, otherwise known as meat. Not to mention the levels of fat and cholesterol that come with meat that causes heart disease and obesity. No wonder America is so fat, because too many people think like you, 'stupidvegetarians'. I have been a vegetarian for over half my life, and being too thin has never been my problem, but then again, neither has cholesterol or obesity. If we are so designed to eat meat as you say we are, then why aren't we equipped with more carnivorous teeth? Funny the biggest most magnificent creatures on earth are vegetarians. I didn't know this was a discussion of whether or not a vegetarian lifestyle was healthy or not; I thought it was more about the benefits/dangers of soy. However 'SmallU', you took the words right out of my mouth with your comment on whether this is funded by the National Meat Institute! LOL!! I AGREE!

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  17. 17. exbrit in reply to stupidvegetarians 03:38 AM 3/28/10

    My father named Fred Archer was, in the twenties, the welterweight European boxing champion. He was also a strict vegetarian all his life and I can vouch that he was "truly fit" even after he retired after killing a guy in the ring. I am 75 now and a virtual vegetarian so it hasn't done me any harm

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  18. 18. kcxx 07:13 PM 4/29/10

    I think part of the problem is seeing everything in black and white. It's like saying fat-free foods are healthy, and then eating Snackwells all day expecting to get healthy. People hear that soy is good, so they load up on soy. People hear that soy is bad, and they avoid it like poison. Why do we have to go all the way to one side or the other? What's wrong with the occasional tofu dish, along with a variety of other protein sources like beans and whole grains? People like sound bites, and they like to say things like, "I heard it was bad to feed soy to kids." I don't think you can accurately distill a lot of scientific data under varied circumstances into a short statement like that. I'm not saying I know what all that data means, I'm just saying there has to be more to it than that.

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  19. 19. Tatyana in reply to SmallU 06:51 AM 6/11/10

    Fermented soy or tofu is not the same as the unfermented soya bean based products that the West eats.

    Soya milk is almost raw soya beans.

    It makes a difference.

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  20. 20. Lena0223 06:31 PM 7/2/10

    Anyone who may be skeptical about the strength, endurance and general health of people choosing a vegetarian diet might consider these vegetarian athletes:



    Ridgely Abele
    Winner of eight national championships in karate


    Surya Bonaly
    Olympic figure skating champion


    Brendan Brazier
    Professional Ironman triathlete


    Peter Burwash
    Davis Cup winner and professional tennis star


    Andreas Cahling
    Swedish champion bodybuilder, Olympic gold medallist in the ski jump


    Chris Campbell
    Olympic wrestling champion


    Nicky Cole
    First woman to walk to the North Pole


    Ruth Heidrich
    Six-time Ironwoman, USA track and field Master's champion


    Keith Holmes
    World-champion middleweight boxer


    Desmond Howard
    Professional football star, Heisman trophy winner


    Peter Hussing
    European super heavy-weight boxing champion


    Scott Jurek
    Ultramarathoner, Course Record Holder at Badwater and Western States
    Wiki
    Audio interview with Animal Voices: MP3

    Debbie Lawrence
    World record holder, women's 5K racewalk


    Sixto Linares
    World record holder, 24-hour triathlon


    Cheryl Marek and Estelle Gray
    World record holders, cross-country tandem cycling


    Ingra Manecki
    World champion discus thrower


    Bill Manetti
    Power-lifting champion


    Ben Matthews
    U.S. Master's marathon champion


    Dan Millman
    World champion gymnast


    Martina Navratilova
    Champion tennis player


    Paavo Nurmi
    Long-distance runner, winner of nine Olympic medals and 20 world records


    Bill Pearl
    Four-time Mr. Universe


    Bill Pickering
    World record-holding swimmer


    Stan Price
    World weightlifting record holder, bench press


    Murray Rose
    Swimmer, winner of many Olympic gold medals and world records


    Dave Scott
    Six-time winner of the Ironman triathlon


    Art Still
    Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs MVP defensive end, Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame


    Jane Wetzel
    U.S. National marathon champion


    Charlene Wong Williams
    Olympic champion figure skater

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  21. 21. PrimalNut 07:15 PM 7/9/10

    I am from central Europe. It wasn't until I entered the USA that i started gaining weight. I then looked into 'health foods' and started consuming whole grains with soy spread etc.
    I gained even more weight.
    I could only consume soy milk for about 1 week before i was truly sick and looking at the carton just made me want to throw up.
    So i stopped the whole soy and grain idea...and started a primal diet (which means i cut out grains, legumes and most sugars) and lost 40 lbs with no exercise.

    This is now my 3rd month of eating primal and my weight is completely stable.

    Some people just aren't cut out to eat Soy.

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  22. 22. scervelli 08:59 AM 7/14/10

    You make absolutely no sense. "Heavily processed and refined grains and legumes"???? I think you're confusing two different thoughts. Of course, WHOLE FOODs and non-processed foods are the way to go - eat more natural as possible. NO PERSON is supposed to eat refined anything. Vegetarians are not necessarily eating refined grains anymore or less than "regular" people. I have always eaten healthy, but as a "challenge" gave up beef, turkey, chicken and continue to eat the fruits, veggies and grains as always and LOWERED MY CHOLESTEROL from 208 to 189 in 40 days! So there is proof that meat is not all that GOOD for us. Everything in moderation. I am not a true vegetarian, I just significantly decreased my meat consumption. BTW, I am not weak, I have a low BMI and I also lost 13lbs. and still as sharp minded as I have ever been pre or post-meat eating. AND I don't feel that dumpy blah bloated feeling. Maybe your vegetarian friends don't exercise or weight train. So come meet me, my friend, I exist.

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  23. 23. GO VEGETARIAN 05:30 PM 8/7/10

    "In another study, young female rats were fed high, medium, or low doses of genistein. Those fed the largest quantities from birth to weaning had reproductive effects later, including early puberty and irregular estrous cycles"

    Are you kidding me?? I am from Taiwan and we Chinese eat so much soy growing up, you can literally see soy in half of the dishes during a meal, also breakfast is always soymilk not milk. More than 1/2 of our population is lactose intolerant and cannot consume dairy product, (cow is for cattles NOT HUMAN!!!) However, girls in our country have LATE PUBERTY, first period after junior high is normal. Asians who come here to the US and consume mass amount of dairy and drink milk actually have early on-set puberty, young girls start having their periods at 10 year old!!! You know, when you MATURE earlier, you AGE earlier, that's how our body is. And that is why Chinese/ Japanese look so much younger with less wrinkles on their faces. Asians are known for their long gevity, and no, they DO NOT HIT THE GYM... they just eat soy, more vegetable and fruits!!! And of course stay away from the sun and in Taiwan/ Chinese less make up for girls. We also do not eat desserts/sweets after a meal, only fruits. We don't drink coffee only green tea and no chocolates- obviously we don't need to fight stress when there is no stress to begin with!! (Too much Java in the morning?? HELLO??)

    And for "stupidvegetarians"- if all vegetarians are so "thin & weak" how come we live longer??? How come Asians have less cardiac arrest, heart failure, obesity, stroke problems/illnesses linked to consuming MEAT?? U go figure.



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  24. 24. GO VEGETARIAN 05:45 PM 8/7/10

    "In another study, young female rats were fed high, medium, or low doses of genistein. Those fed the largest quantities from birth to weaning had reproductive effects later, including early puberty and irregular estrous cycles"

    Are you kidding me?? I am from Taiwan and we Chinese eat so much soy growing up, you can literally see soy in half of the dishes during a meal, also breakfast is always soymilk not milk. More than 1/2 of our population is lactose intolerant and cannot consume dairy product, (cow is for cattles NOT HUMAN!!!) However, girls in our country have LATE PUBERTY, first period after junior high is normal. Asians who come here to the US and consume mass amount of dairy and drink milk actually have early on-set puberty, young girls start having their periods at 10 year old!!! You know, when you MATURE earlier, you AGE earlier, that's how our body is. And that is why Chinese/ Japanese look so much younger with less wrinkles on their faces. Asians are known for their long gevity, and no, they DO NOT HIT THE GYM... they just eat soy, more vegetable and fruits!!! And of course stay away from the sun and in Taiwan/ Chinese less make up for girls. We also do not eat desserts/sweets after a meal, only fruits. We don't drink coffee only green tea and no chocolates- obviously we don't need to fight stress when there is no stress to begin with!! (Too much Java in the morning?? HELLO??)

    And for "stupidvegetarians"- if all vegetarians are so "thin & weak" how come we live longer??? How come Asians have less cardiac arrest, heart failure, obesity, stroke problems/illnesses linked to consuming MEAT?? U go figure.



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  25. 25. smartveg 08:23 PM 1/24/11

    Re: Stupidvegetarians-

    Rather than using insulting and inflammatory language, re-read the article for what it is and make thoughtful and useful comments to further the discussion. It makes no mention of vegetarianism. You have jumped to conclusions and preach from your high horse with no credible sources to back up your remarks. Since "the dawn of civilization..." Hmmm...when was that again? And we didn't evolve eating grains and legumes? Damn- all that wasted funding for archaeological research that states otherwise!!!
    An opinion is valuable only where it is called for. Look at the facts. Then make an intelligent contribution to the conversation- and oh, stay on topic please.

    love,
    smartveg

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  26. 26. smartveg in reply to stupidvegetarians 08:25 PM 1/24/11

    Re: Stupidvegetarians-

    Rather than using insulting and inflammatory language, re-read the article for what it is and make thoughtful and useful comments to further the discussion. It makes no mention of vegetarianism. You have jumped to conclusions and preach from your high horse with no credible sources to back up your remarks. Since "the dawn of civilization..." Hmmm...when was that again? And we didn't evolve eating grains and legumes? Damn- all that wasted funding for archaeological research that states otherwise!!!
    An opinion is valuable only where it is called for. Look at the facts. Then make an intelligent contribution to the conversation- and oh, stay on topic please.

    love,
    smartveg

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  27. 27. Juzman in reply to stupidvegetarians 11:27 AM 3/29/11

    Quite possibly the most ignorant comment I've read on here. So ignorant that I had to make an account to reply lol

    The fittest/healthiest/most muscular person I know has been a vegan for 10 years.

    You simply need to know what to eat - not exactly rocket science. Check out this link if you dare to free your narrow/bigoted childish mind

    http://www.veganbodybuilding.com/?page=galleries

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  28. 28. brettxiv in reply to stupidvegetarians 01:02 PM 4/27/11

    I hope your comment was ironic, because the stupidity you convey is awe inspiring.

    Where do I start...

    "We are designed to eat meat supplemented with foods of high nutrient value, ie. fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds." Really? Where's your evidence? Even the American Dietetic Association tells us that "most of mankind for most of human history has lived on a vegetarian or Lacto-ovo vegetarian diet." I thought that was common knowledge, obviously not.

    "I have never in my life met a truly fit, athletic vegetarian because they don't exist and supplementing with anti-nutrient short chain proteins such as soy will never offer the benefits of eating real, whole food. Meat." Nine times Olympic gold medallist Carl Lewis is vegan. Please Google before you type, then you won't sound so dumb.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_vegans.





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  29. 29. tigger1 in reply to stupidvegetarians 11:17 AM 5/25/11

    First off, this is a case of the pot calling the kettle black. Vegetarians are neither stupid nor wrong. Our bodies are totally different from when we were kids not to mention going back farther. Eating meat did real good for cave men. My father chided me for not eating meat, he went through triple by-pass. Meat years ago was completely different, it wasn't loaded with the hormones and chemicals it is today. Today we live longer, happier lives than previous generations. I don't think the whole world wants to be vegetarian, but most who know better are cutting out a lot of the fats such as some meats and are improving their health. Vegetarianism, for a lot of people is not a health choice but a choice of conscience. I chose it for animal reasons and for the good sense that it consumes more of Earth's energy to raise meat for a few than to raise crops for a multitude. The makeup of your body is completely different than your parents, just one generation away, you can't possibly believe that your body has something remotely akin to your great grandparents, let alone cavemen! The only thing you possibly have in common is your Neanderthal thinking.

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  30. 30. MelanieRose in reply to stupidvegetarians 04:09 PM 5/28/11

    I am a healthy vegetarian, an avid cyclist and have a healthy weight and I'm definitely not weak. All I have to say is be open to other people's points of view. Everyones bodies are different and tolerate different things. People abstain from eating meat for different reasons, some people really just don't like it. You can obtain an adequate amount of protein for your body by eating a balanced amount of vegetables and beans, which contrary to popular belief, do have protein. Myth #1: Plants are low in protein

    Plant foods are generally abundant in protein. For example, lettuce gets 34% of its calories from protein, and broccoli gets 45% of its calories from protein. Spinach is 49%. Cauliflower is 40%. Celery is 21%. Beans range from 23% to 54% depending on the variety. Grains are 8% to 31%. Nuts and seeds are 8% to 21%. Fruits are the lowest at around 5-8% on average.

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  31. 31. hydrolaw in reply to stupidvegetarians 06:15 PM 11/6/11

    http://www.veganbodybuilding.com/

    Stupid meathead.

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  32. 32. Ascendant of Odd 04:10 PM 11/19/11

    We are meant to eat what is supplied to us here on earth. We all know what that consists of. As far as legumes, berries and so on... those are apparently natural. Our bodies might not be able to digest them in their simple form but we have managed a way to make a meals out of them. As far as man made food, that was just made for pleasure purposes, it's not survival. Survival is what we need, and we can enjoy these foods but we are too spoiled as a society and now look at where we are at today. And as far as vegetarian or vegan diet, if people want to convert to that diet that is their right as any. For whatever reason or maybe meat just doesn't agree with them. Perhaps that is why there are other sources of protein. So there you go, common sense.

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  33. 33. freakyguy6190 01:26 AM 7/8/12

    People in Japan and China consume FERMENTED soy 90% of the time not your typical GMO or non GMO soy. I do not know why people how support soy only mention half of the truth/fact and leave out the rest.

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  34. 34. freakyguy6190 in reply to bubidu 01:43 AM 7/8/12

    We should all know by now that saturated fat isnt our enemy and neither is cholesterol. We have two types of LDL - one which sticks to the arteries and one which does not and simply "bounces" of the walls of arteries. Plus the studies done on cow's milk are the studies done on grain fed cow's milk, not every country have raw milk phobia like US, there are more than dozen of countries in Europe who know that raw milk from grass-fed cows is far better than industrialized cows milk. We only have to fear the sanitary conditions. Me and my whole family have been drinking raw milk for more than 20 years and none has gotten sick from it.We have more to fear from industrialized cow's milk because anything can go into the milk and they can simply need to pasteurize it

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  35. 35. gunelle in reply to stupidvegetarians 07:06 PM 8/23/12

    Dear Sir/Madam: Please meet a healthy, athletic vegetarian. Moi. Been vegetarian for over 20 years, fitter and healthier than most of the population, physically active and energetic.
    It's curious that you feel a need to condemn vegetarianism so adamantly. If you feel it's natural and necessary to eat meat and important in order for you to be healthy, so be it, that's your prerogative. I don't feel it's natural and necessary and I don't need it to be healthy. I hope the meat you eat -- for your own sake and the world -- comes from less than over-industrialized sources, and is the kind of good quality meat that comes from animals that have not been fed a crazy amount of antibiotics and whatever other crap they stuff into them, which then ends up in you; and preferably, animals 'humanely' raised and slaughtered.
    As for any reason someone would consume soy or since how far back... people in Asia have been eating soy products for hundreds if not thousands of years, and probably not because of "imaginary ethics."

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  36. 36. doctoralexa 08:37 PM 8/23/12

    Phytoestrogens are contained in many beans. Traditional societies that eat a diet high in phytoestrogens have lower rates of cancer - not higher.

    Phytoestrogens are not estrogens. Phytoestrogens sit on the estrogen receptors of the cell wall and only elicit a weak estrogen response in the cell. But most importantly, they prevent real estrogens from other foods and pseudo-estrogens from plastics, and so on, to go on those receptors and wreak havoc.

    Having said that: Soy is no miracle food - because they are no miracle foods. One should rotate foods and don't eat the same food day-in, day-out. Other beans can be substituted.

    Soy is best, of course, fermented - as miso and tempeh, supplying the bowel flora with beneficial bacteria.

    The modern gene-manipulated mono-crop soy, for which rain forests are destroyed, should be avoided at all costs.

    Alexa Fleckenstein M.D., physician, author.

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  37. 37. foster2142 03:53 PM 8/24/12

    Soy used to a healthy food but has now been compromised in the US and other places by Monsanto. Soy maybe healthy for us but Monsanto is not. Unfortunately Monsanto controls the seed for soy beans and almost all or perhaps even every plant grown in the US is from Monsanto seed. Because they also control the supply and farms.

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  38. 38. Its really mei in reply to Pat O'Green 07:15 PM 9/14/12

    Then you should get sterlized

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  39. 39. vons_Vegas in reply to stupidvegetarians 02:31 PM 9/16/12

    Wow, what a rude and ill-informed comment by the aptly named "stupidvegetarians" (the word stupid in the name clearly says more about this person than vegetarians). Perhaps this person has never heard of Dave Scott, who was a six-time Iron Man Triathlete World Champion on a strict vegan diet? Or current top ten Iron Man Triathlete Brendan Brazier, who follows a vegan diet? Or the current, growing crop of vegan body builders, who don't believe in destroying their health and longevity while competing at the top level of their sport (http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/05/sports/vegans-muscle-their-way-into-bodybuilding.html?pagewanted=all)? The data are overwhelming on the health benefits of a plant-based diet. Fortunately, a plant-based diet is also compatible with the highest level of performance in sports.

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  40. 40. icedannyro in reply to stupidvegetarians 06:56 AM 1/29/13

    Hey brainwashed dumass see if Brad Pitt or Woody Harelson are fit enough. Evolution means change. Now man found a way to get his nutrients from plants instead of meat without poisoning his body anymore. Vegans are more healthier and live longer is a proven fact.

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  41. 41. icedannyro 07:15 AM 1/29/13

    I remember a season of Ultimate Fighter tv show when a vegan entered the house. All fighters laughed about him not eating meat. But he laughed harder when he left hiFs competitors unconscious and covered in blood in the cage in the road to the final.

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  42. 42. tyrell in reply to stupidvegetarians 12:11 PM 2/19/13

    I used to think the same thing, 1 to 1.5 grams of animal protein needed to sustain and or grow muscle mass.

    Then I did some research on a couple of UFC fighters.
    Mac dandig, Jake shields..

    These guys are at peak of performence...Mac is 168p Under 8 percent fat stacked with muscle and has enough energy to wrestle us all..

    Vegan...strictly vegan...and there are others.

    I have started a vegan type vegeterian diet and no muscle loss so far, still benching my max...working out two days on 1 off..and playing squash 3 days a week.

    I do not plan following my father onto the heart transplant list..

    Thanx to all ..

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  43. 43. scienceistruth in reply to SmallU 04:11 PM 2/19/13

    I agree 100% with your statement. Scapegoating soy (unless it's Genetically modified) as an estrogen culprit is deflecting blame from the already known sources like plastic bottles, insides of canned food, thrown away prescription pills that get into the public water system and many chemicals that are contained in household cleaning agents. There was enough eveidence to take baby bottles containing BPH off the market, we know what causes this.

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  44. 44. AM1000 02:08 PM 3/16/13

    I agree 100% with you. I eat no grains or legumes at all! I eat wild meat and non GMO veggies that are grown locally. My family has been living this way for years and we have no health issues and our natural physique is coveted by many. This is how we are supposed to eat and live.

    People should try eating their grains and legumes raw or steamed. See how long their gut lasts.

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  45. 45. lehimesa in reply to stupidvegetarians 06:16 PM 3/24/13

    basing anything on what you in your little world see is stupid. Legit studies show that populations that eat a lot of soy, Japan, China, etc. have lower rates of prostate, breast cancer. Also no fertility problems there, unlike in US. Plastic containers leach estrogen like chemicals, too.

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  46. 46. jonhuie in reply to stupidvegetarians 08:13 PM 4/12/13

    to " stupidvegetarians": Actually it is your evolutional history that is flawed. Humans ate hardly any meat until they discovered fire and tools. And even less before our ancestors descended from trees. Certainly grains and legumes came last, but fruit preceded meat by millions of years.

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  47. 47. readingbetween|| 01:43 AM 5/7/13

    The evidence for the argument is unsubstantial. Harm in rats does not indicate the same harm would be present in humans. A human can smoke or eat as much marijuana as possible and (besides intoxication-and possible panic attack) there is no ill effect. However domestic pets are harmed from marijuana, and chocolate, and other things that aren't so bad for humans. As a matter of fact few creatures have the ability to ingest the variety of food that humans can. Also, the hormones discussed are not exclusively in soy. so long story short...not convincing.

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  48. 48. dysonlu in reply to freakyguy6190 05:52 PM 5/13/13

    I don't know where you got the claim that 90% of the soy Asians consume are fermented but Asians have been drinking their version of soy milk for centuries. And they do so regularly. So fermented or not, it is likely a non-issue. However, GMO versus non-GMO may prove to be a more significant factor.

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Could Eating Too Much Soy Be Bad for You?

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