Is this article true?? (states soy is feminizing; we should avoid tofu)?

Question

http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=53327

Answer 1

The article is all wrong. Don't worry. Asian cultures have been living on tofu for well, forever! Look at Bruce Lee. Dare you to call him Girly Man.

Don't worry. Soy is good! This is just propaganda from the dairy industry. They are worried because milk sales are down and soy milk sales are up.

They lobbied to pass a law. So now soy milk can't be called milk any more. It's soy "beverage."

big babies.

Answer 2

You're trusting Worldnet Daily as a source for nutrition information???

It's totally false propaganda put out by the meat industry and folks losing money on their investment in the industry! As a few have already stated there are NO hormones in soy products!! There are also no "deadly leptins" or "poisonous phytates" in soy products either!

Soy does contain a class of chemicals called phyto-sterols that are similar to but by no means chemically identical to ANY animal hormone. Most of these compounds (along with the ones listed in the first paragraph) are destroyed by normal processing to make the products edible! Totally *raw* (as in fresh from the field and green) soybeans do contain some phytate but a much more injurious level of phytate is found in raw Kidney beans. Cooking destroys the chemicals and makes what you eat safe!

Back to hormones... Ask the morons who claim soy is making kids gay or boys feminine why they haven't been concerned about the REAL animal estrogen found in all milk or the REAL animal hormones found in all meat!!

THINK!

Answer 3

First of all, the good things about soy outweigh the bad by far.

Second, most bad things about soy are about PROCESSED soy--the mock meats, etc. Tofu and soymilk are not processed soy, or at least the kind I get aren't.

Third, you would have to eat a ton of it to get any of the bad effects. Eat up--it's fine.

Answer 4

I don't want to repeat what has been said by others on here but yes it is best to avoid soya products it if you are hypothyroid or borderline for that. It does contain plant-based estrogens (phytoestrogens) but these are supposed to act like aromatase inhibitors - albeit weak ones. Aromatase is the enzyme that converts testosterone into estrogen. We all produce this - men and women. Generally with men it is good news to boost the diet with aromatase inhibitors. However soy is a questionable one because of its anti-thyroid effects plus the evidence is conflicting. It is better to opt for camomile tea, honey, propolis and/or passiflora for their anti-aromatase effects - which in men are decreased anxiety, improved libido, improved muscle growth, to name but a few. Anyone with prostate problems should however consult a doctor.

Answer 5

Soy contains plant-based substances that are similar to some forms of human estrogen. (There are different forms, and women do produce all of them.) But estrogens and estrogen-like substances are in a group of biochemicals know as androgens, and men will pretty much convert these to types of testosterone. In addition, men do naturally produce some estrogens, just as women naturally produce some testosterones.

Answer 6

look

it counteracts testosterone

therefore less prostate cancer

that is a good thing, A very good thing

so a little less sex drive and staying sane and no prostate cancer

sign me up

just a good reminder to eat a pound of tofu every day , raw even

Answer 7

that's crazy. it maybe true, i don't know. but people have been eating soy based products for years and years and years.

Answer 8

what i know about tofu is that it can mess up a thyroid. i was diagnosed with hypothyroid and believe me i stear clear of my once loved tofu!!! i don't trust it not one little bit. it messes with the hormones! i eat quinoa to get extra protien.

Answer 9

What Does It Do?
And What Scientific Studies Give Evidence To Support This?

Soy protein provides a healthy way to get non-animal protein into your diet. It is great tasting, natural and can have a plethora of healthy effects on the body. It is ideal for high protein/low carb diets! It's valuable constituents include saponins, phytosterols, and isoflavones. This is one of the best things about soy protein! Saponins enhance the immune system's function and combine with cholesterol to reduce it's absorption into the body through the small intestine. Phytosterols have also been shown to reduce cholesterol levels.

The anabolic isoflavones in soy (genistein and daidzein), not only have exhibited effects as powerful antioxidants, but have been shown to exhibit positive health benefits for both men and women such as cancer fighting. Studies have shown they may reduce the risk of hormone-dependent cancers (breast, prostate, etc), and other cancers as well.

Soy's primary health benefits include reducing high cholesterol and easing the symptoms of menopause, with secondary emphasis on cancer reduction, osteoporosis help (by building up bone mass), and lastly vaginitis help. Needless to say, soy is a must for women and has great positives for men too!

One study of 26 animals showed that 65% exhibited a protective effect from soy against cancer. Human research is also indicative of soy's anti-cancer ability.

In 89% of 39 studies, a cholesterol reduction was noted. Although the debate still goes on as to exactly how soy accomplishes this feat.

As for menopausal symptom easing, soy was found to reduce hot flashed by 40% in a group of 58 women who used soy everyday for three months. Another thing to note: soy has been found to help regulate hormone levels in premenopausal women.

In helping to prevent bone loss from osteoporosis, soy gets two thumbs up! The isoflavones in soy are responsible for the amazing increase in bone mass that has been shown in studies as well. Further research is being done to show to what extent soy plays it this.

How Much Should Be Taken?
And Are There Any Side Effects?

Soy may be safely taken in a wide range of doses. Only a very small percentage of people are allergic to soy. Be sure to consult your physician if you're on any prescription drugs, as soy may have positive or negative interactions with those drugs. Soy contains phytic acid, a compound that may interact with mineral absorption.

Recent Studies:

December 2001 - Consuming Protein Supplements Can Help Deter the Effects of Overtraining!

Protein intake of approx. 0.88 grams per pound of body weight resulted in increased prevention of overtraining. This study was conducted at Ball State University on 17 weight-trained men. They were put on a four week "overtraining" program were they did 8-12 rep maxes for three sets, eight exercises for the first two weeks, then five sets, five exercises for 3-5 rep maxes for the next two weeks. The men were chosen to receive either an amino acid supplement or a placebo for the duration of the four weeks (0.88 grams/lb body weight/day).

Those that were given the amino acids had measureable positive changes in total testosterone, the ratio of testosterone to the protein that transports it, and hemoglobin compared to those given a placebo. This proves that adequate protein consumption is the key to making gains! Be sure to get enough (approx. 1gram per lb. of body weight).

December 2001 - Protein Taken With Carbs is Better than Protein Alone for Building Muscle!


This study, conducted at University of Texas Medical Branch, measured the amount of uptake of the amino acid L-phenylalanine into healthy leg muscle tissue in one of three protein shakes. The shakes were consumed one and two hours after intense leg training and provided about 6 grams of protein, 34 grams of carbs, or both per shake for a 150 bodybuilder.

The L-phenylalanine uptake in the protein and carb shake was measured as being three times higher than the carb shake and roughly twice as great as the amino shake! So, there you have it! As you know, the postworkout shake is the most critical meal for your increased anabolism. Make sure you're getting some carbs in your postworkout shake for best results!


However, soy protein appears to have several mechanisms by which it lowers cholesterol (i.e. isoflavones, endocrine effects, fiber, saponins, etc.) and its mechanism on cholesterol probably depends on the animal species being studied. In addition to soy proteins ability to reduce cholesterol, epidemiological research also suggests soy can reduce certain forms of cancer and longevity companies such as the Life Extension Foundation are now recommending soy protein isolate for the treatment of certain cancers.

Ok, now here is where things start to get interesting as it applies the bodybuilders. Though soy proteins contain these estrogenic compounds, it appears that they are "tissue specific." One study that used Rhesus monkeys found that soy proteins had no effects on the reproductive hormones of these animals. Testosterone, DHEAS, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), testicular weight, prostatic weight, and other measurements were taken. They found no difference between male animals who ate soy protein that contained the plant estrogens and those who ate soy with the estrogens removed, leading researchers to conclude: "thus, the isoflavones (genistein and diadzein) in soy protein improve cardiovascular risk factors without apparent deleterious effects on the reproductive system."

Also, "Genistein's effects appear to be tissue specific, with estrogen agonist effects on plasma lipid concentrations, plasma lipoprotein distributions and preservation of bone mass that are similar in magnitude to mammalian estrogens, but without estrogenic effects..."

They finally conclude "Our data support an interpretation that soy beans estrogens have tissue specificity in part because of their mixed estrogen agonist and antagonist properties." From this and other data, it seems the phyto estrogens in soy can lower cholesterol and improve heart disease risk without systemic estrogenic effects (i.e. gyno, bodyfat increases, etc.) that would normally be seen if say a bodybuilder took estrogen pills or from the conversion of certain steroids to estrogen. This study is a little more relevant to us humans being it was done with male monkeys which are far more similar animals to people than rats. However, I think that an upper level of soy protein that contains phyto estrogens could cause systemic estrogenic effects if enough were taken, but that's only speculation on my part.

Also, the use of soy isolates by men might be better cycled rather than taken all the time being we are not 100% sure at this time about the long term estrogenic potential of soy proteins in athletes. The ability of soy protein to lower cholesterol without other estrogenic effects could be useful to bodybuilders using anabolic steroids who tend to see a rise in cholesterol and/or LDL.

Now I have saved the best part for last regarding the upside of soy proteins. Soy protein has been found to raise thyroid output in a wide range of animals from rats to rabbits and pigs. Studies done with human subjects have been harder to quantify (what else is new?), but several studies suggest an effect on thyroid hormones in people eating soy protein isolate. Soy protein has been shown to raise thyroid hormone output which could be a real advantage to bodybuilders trying to shed some fat. The intake of various high quality proteins has been associated with higher levels of thyroid hormone, but soy appears to have thyroid hormone raising abilities unique to that of other proteins.

Though some research has shown changes in T3 and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), the real effect appears to be with T4 which is elevated consistently in the studies done using animals-and to a lesser degree people-eating soy proteins. Also, some studies have found changes in the insulin/glucagon ratio that would favor reductions in cholesterol and possibly bodyfat. At this time, exactly how soy proteins have this effect on thyroid output is not well understood, but their working on it.