Questions About Soy

[Guest guest]

Since I didn't receive a reply from anyone about my soy question I sent

it directly to Sally Fallon. I thought you might be interesed in her

reply whiich follows:

HI Janice

I saw this information on a web site. Most of the other stuff I read

seemed valid, but this part I question. I was under the impression that

" all " soy was a bad choice. This info makes a distinction.

SF - Not all soy is completely bad and we do make a distinction on our

website. Naturally fermented soy products in small amounts in the

context of an Asian diet are fine.

Please give me your feed back and if you disagree with the information

below , please tell me based on what? This info was taken from:

http://www.rwood.com/Questions/Food_as_Medicine_Index.htm

" Because of their anti-nutrients, whole soy beans are a bear to digest.

Unless, that is, they've been properly prepared or processed. Two

exceptions are black soy and immature soy (edamame). The later are widely

available as green soybeans in the pod.

SF - OK for some in small amounts, have lower levels of isoflavone and

antinutrients, but still not recommended for anyone with a thyroid

problem

The black soy beans have such a lush, creamy texture and chestnut-like

flavor that they're worth seeking

out. They're available dried from Asian markets and canned from Eden

Foods.

SF - Never heard of these, but I'd be careful.

With the following two guidelines you can easily chose quality and avoid

the toxic soy products. At first it will require some label-reading

vigilance. But, before long you'll identify and then select only the

trustworthy brand names.

Two guidelines for selecting quality soy foods:

1. Purchase products made from whole beans such as miso, soybean sprouts,

edamame, tempeh, soy nuts, soy nut butter, soymilk, shoyu, tamari, soy

sauce and tofu.

SF - Absolutely do not buy soybean sprouts (more toxic than the seeds),

soy nuts, soy nut butter, or soy milk. Be very sparing with the others.

2. Make sure soybeans are from a quality source. Favor organic soy

products that contain no GMOs (genetically modified organisms). Sixty

percent of soybeans on today's market have been genetically modified.

Soy Products to Avoid:

Bypass soy foods made from fractionated beans or that contain soy oil.

Please note that some foods, like soy sauce, tofu and soymilk may be made

from either whole or fractionated beans.

Fractionated beans are processed in a way that denatures proteins and

doesn't remove the anti-nutrients. Such beans are typically dissolved in

petroleum-based solvents and then extruded at thermoplastic temperatures

to mold them into desired shapes and textures. If the label lists TVP,

TSP, soy isolate, or soy protein, then isolate them from your diet.

You'll find these shoddy ingredients in some tofu, soy milk, soy sauce,

meat analogs and extenders, energy bars, infant formulas, frozen

desserts, meal replacement and protein drinks, soy cheese and soy deli

foods.

Likewise, avoid products that contain soy oil including margarine and

mayonnaise. Virtually all soy oil currently available in the US is a

byproduct of the soy industry. It is a highly processed, denatured oil

that contributes to the formation of free-radicals. "

SF - Yes this part is fine. I do not understand why she recommends soy

nuts and soy nut butters as these are not processed at all and full of

toxins. Sally