I am adding information to my first post of this morning. I CANNOT stress enough that soy is NOT bad for anyone. Please go www.pcrm.org and put 'soy' in the search box. Here is a brief sample of what you can read: New Study: Soy Improves Prostate Cancer Outlook; Soy Foods Lower the Risk for Ovarian Cancer; Soy and breast cancer: Researchers believe that certain chemicals in soybeans called isoflavones are responsible for the reduced risk for breast cancer among Asian women.16 Isoflavones are phytoestrogens (phyto means "plant"). They keep estrogen levels under control, as they can act like a weak estrogen when body estrogen levels are low and can inhibit estrogen’s effects when body estrogen levels are high.17
The question of whether soy consumption may contribute to an increased cancer risk due to estrogenic effects has been raised.18,19 However, there is evidence that consuming soy at a young age reduces cancer risk later in life.20 Other studies have found no effect or a favorable effect on breast tissue density in women consuming soy.21.
Lastly, another source, respected pediatrician, Dr. William Sears, author of 30+ book and contributor to Parents and Baby Talk magazines has a huge section on soy. Go to http://www.askdrsears.com/html/4/t044700.asp to learn more. I don't want to be negative about any other group, but I must say something when that group puts out potentially incorrect information. If you have any questions about the Weston Price Foundation, I can give you background information which raises questions about their advice on soy. A good place to start is to read The China Study by T. Colin Campbell.
Hi S.---Soy is a wonderful health food. But you must be sure that it is organic as it is one of the foods, along with corn, that is genetically modified.
Good quality soy is for everyone. Contact me and I will share my files with you. That being said, too much of anything is probably not good for any person. But as for the phyto estrogens, yes, soy, along with flax and chickpeas, all contain phytoestrogens. But, from a quality, organic source, it is helpful in the body because it is a much weaker estrogen and fills the estrogen receptors in the breast so that the stronger, more harmful estrogens do not go there. A breast cancer radiologist, Dr. Delia Garcia in St. Louis, a founding memeber of the Susan G. Komen foundation, recommends a soy based protein drink to her patients. Do the people who warn of soy also say to stay away from flax and chickpeas? I don't think so.
Please contact me for more information. It is really hard to make an informed decision as there is a lot of misinformation on the internet. Good luck and I hope to talk to you soon. In health, D. ###-###-####