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easyeboy easyeboy
 
December 27, 2008 04:46 AM

Soy products? Is soy good for you?

I have heard both sides to this, and I drink soy milk, so I thought I would ask this question. I heard that soy could be bad for you, then I heard it's good for you. Why can't we figure out the truth with soy? What is the real answer to this? This video disappoints me somewhat. What is your thought? What are your thoughts?
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reiver reiver
 
 December 27, 2008 07:36 AM
Short answer.... It is thought that soy can be good for females, but is bad for males.

The chemical of concern are the Phytoestrogens that Soy contains.

Some believe that the Phytoestrogens in Soy will feminize body, in a somewhat similar way to how steroids (often called "juice" or "crank") will masculinize a body.

I've even seen strong warning (on TV) of not giving Soy milk or Soy-based products like Tofu to male babies.
Source(s):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phytoestrogen



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easyeboy easyeboy
 
December 29, 2008 05:19 AM
But, why is this bad for men? I have never found anything convincing that it's so very bad for men, and being a man who drinks soy milk, I have not had any problems with drinking it.

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reiver reiver
 
December 29, 2008 06:13 AM
@easyboy: The thought is that having Phytoestrogens from Soy is like getting "extra" estrogen. Estrogen, even though males do have a small amount of it, is called the Female hormone.

And like with how if a male gets "too much" estrogen (the Female hormone) it can feminize their body, it is thought that getting "too much" Phytoestrogens from Soy (which are similar to the Female hormone) can also feminize a male body. I.e., it can make a male body more female like.

So, the reason why it is bad for men is because it is thought that it can make a male body more female like. (How much the change is would depend on how much of the Phytoestrogens are taken and at what age it is started to be taken.)

Of course, this will not kill you. And it depends on if you consider having a male body become more female like to be bad or not. (Some people don't.)

Some possible symptoms if enough is taken...
- reduced muscle mass
- reduced ability to put on muscle
- change in behaviour
- increased body fat in certain areas
- salt and fluid retention
- change in libido
- problems with fertility

There are other possible symptoms, that are more transformative (like breast growth), but I doubt any adults drink enough Soy to have that happen. (It is thought that babies are at risk though, and shouldn't drink it.)

To put it in plain English, think of it this way, if given the option, would you eat a food that contained some Female hormone?

Regarding your personal experience... your experience may not be representative of the risk people have in general. And you may not be able to notice all adverse effect problems. (You might need to check with a doctor.) And some adverse effects make take a while to develop.

Also... if you are just basing this on your own personal experience, then why bother asking the question here?

If you read the reference I gave you some scientific studies are cited. You can get further info with those.

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drmatt drmatt
 
December 27, 2008 05:32 AM
According to my wife (a nutritionist): Good!

Good plant-based protein and body can digest it better. Helps with women who are in menopause.

This answer seems to be contradictory to the video (digestion and menopausal women).

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ledretch ledretch
 
December 27, 2008 09:34 PM
If you're a woman, it's good for you! ; )
Soy protein is well balanced, and has a good digestibility. If it's an alternativ to meat or milk, you should find another source of iron or calcium, and vitamin D.
Source(s):
my everyday job and everything I read and I'm able to check twice ; )


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darth cont... darth cont...
 
December 28, 2008 05:22 AM
"While soy may be beneficial to women in a variety of ways, research in monkeys suggests that it could have an adverse effect on the behavior of men, according to researchers from Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.

Reporting in the current issue of the scientific journal Hormones and Behavior, the researchers found that in male monkeys, "long-term consumption of a diet rich in soy isoflavones can have marked influences on patterns of aggression and social behavior." Isoflavones are a naturally occurring plant estrogen in soy protein.

"Although considerable attention has been directed at the potentially beneficial effects of isoflavones in reducing the risk of various cancers, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease and postmenopausal symptoms, less effort has been invested in characterizing neurobehavioral effects," according to the study."
Source(s):
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/7842.php


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easyeboy easyeboy
 
December 29, 2008 05:18 AM
This is with monkeys, not humans.

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