Pacific Views

Guys, Lay off the Soy

According to a BBC article, excessive soy consumption can lead to male infertility in adults, and possibly damage the later fertility of young boys. It contains high levels of estrogen mimics, and these can alter the levels and effect of male hormones. The estrogen-like effect of soy is why it's recommended to promote heart health, as estrogen has been linked for some time to the virtual absence of heart attacks in pre-menopausal women.

It makes the additional point that soy is included in a wide variety of processed foods, cereals, and pre-packaged meals. It's an inexpensive protein filler, and may also be found on labels as 'vegetable protein.' Soy is extremely common in sport supplements, meal replacement bars, and protein powders. Soybean oil is a common ingredient in salad dressings and condiments. Lecithin is also a soy derivative, and is used widely as an emulsifier, or a substance that helps smooth out mixtures of liquids with different properties.

As someone who reacts badly to the phytoestrogens in soy, I'd say that either lecithin isn't as harsh or that it's usually included in such small amounts that it doesn't make much difference. But soybean oil is just as bad as eating tofu or drinking a soy-based protein drink. That's not exactly representative data, of course, so take it for what it's worth. However, pre-menopausal women with histories of persistent gynecological problems should consider taking soy completely out of their diets for a month or two, just for kicks. If you feel better it will be it's own reward. If you don't, well, no one ever got sick from not eating soy.

The advice in the article is sound. Lay off processed foods, replace them with more freshly prepared items. Excessive soy consumption can be a problem in the diets of people who get their meals from the microwave dinner section of the store just as well as those who stock up on processed foods marketed as health boosters.