iS SOY MiLK BAD FOR ME?

Question

JUST WONDERING.....

Answer 1

I'll quote:

Soy contains several naturally occurring compounds that are toxic to humans and animals. The soy industry frequently refers to these toxins as anti-nutrients, which implies that they somehow act to prevent the body getting the complete nutrition it needs from a food. The soy toxins (such as phytic acid) can certainly act in this manner, but they also have the ability to target specific organs, cells and enzyme pathways and their effects can be devastating.
Perhaps the best known of the soy toxins are the protease inhibitors (also referred to as trypsin inhibitors) which, as the name suggests, are able to inhibit the action of proteases (including trypsin) which are enzymes that are involved in the process of dismantling proteins for use by the body.
In the rat, high levels of exposure to protease inhibitors (such as that found in raw soy flour) cause pancreatic cancer whereas moderate levels cause the rat pancreas to be more susceptible to cancer-causing agents.

"The term phytate refers to several compounds that are based on phytic acid (inositol hexaphosphate). It is the presence of multiple phosphates in phytates that makes them effective chelating agents, i.e. they have the ability to bind to certain metal ions. Obviously if metals are bound up in a phytate-complex, they are less available to the body ( i.e. less bioavailable) for nutritive purposes.
Soybeans contain very high levels of phytate and their are numerous reports of reduced bioavailablity of various metals from foods containing soy; this has particular significance for vegetarians and infants fed soy-formulas.
Vegetarians, particularly young women vegetarians, need to be aware that soy products affect their iron and zinc requirements and it has been recommended that they utilise strategies that minimise the intake of dietary phytate.
The effects of phytate in soy-formulas are a great concern. The iron and zinc requirements of developing infants are well documented, particularly those that relate to cognitive function. There is no question that infants fed soy-formulas are at greater risk of reduced uptake of various essential minerals compared with breast-fed infants or infants fed other formulas.

The soybean plant has the ability to absorb manganese from the soil and concentrate it to an extent that soy-based infant formulas can contain as much as 200 times the level of manganese found in natural breast milk. In babies, excess manganese that cannot be metabolised is stored in body organs. Around eight percent of the excess manganese in the diet is stored in the brain in close proximity to the dopamine-bearing neurons responsible, in part, for adolescent neurological development.
The implications are that the one in eight infants raised on soy formula during the first six months of life may be at risk of brain and behavioural disorders that do not become evident until adolescence."

...et cetera. There are more arguments, but I don't want this to be a stupidly long answer, so read the links in the sources.

Answer 2

YES it is - I recently read a lot of articles about how for thousands of years the Chinese never considered the soy bean fit for human consumption. It's only when it's been fermented and treated that it becomes okay. Raw soy beans and its derivatives (soy milk) contain estrogen like chemicals which can cause health problems, esp. in women. Problems with mens. cycles, and thyroid functions.... there are even concerns that there might be a link to breast cancer (but what isn't, right?). I've decided to reduce my intake drastically which was hard to do b/c I drank a good amount everyday. Apparently about a 1/2 cup over a whole month is the max amount of those chemicals you should consume.

There are arguments for both sides, but I think the truth must lie in the middle. So while I haven't stopped using it entirely, I'm a lot more careful about how much I use.

Here's an article looking at both sides: http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2000/300_soy.html

Answer 3

Soy milk is actually good for you. However, I have noticed some brands give me a gassy stomach.

Answer 4

Only if you are allergic to soy, but if you are lactose intollerant (over 50% of the world's population are, just us in the west who tend not to be) then its gonna be better for you. What you should be asking is also is cow's milk bad for you? www.milksucks.com/pus.asp

Answer 5

no, soy milk is great. it even has less carbs than milk. it avoids the hormones that are in milk, and there's no animal fat, so if you like it, go for it.

Answer 6

Lately, I'm hearing that soy is not good.

Answer 7

In a way yes but in a way no

Answer 8

Everything in moderation.

Answer 9

no, unless you have an allergy to legumes

Answer 10

no