Soy: Nutritional Foe - Essay Example

Soy: Nutritional Foe al Affiliation Soy: Nutritional Foe Foods are important for human beings because they provide nourishment, energy, protection against diseases, quick healing of the body and healthy living. There are different kinds of foods that people eat, which give different types of nutritive elements, such as vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates, calcium and ions among others. Soy and its products is a type of food that has been widely talked about for its nutritive elements especially protein and its benefits that range from being an alternative to animal products, its prevention of certain conditions such as cancer, and the high protein content. However, other people consider soy as a nutritional foe because of its failure to produce the functions it has been purported to produce. This paper argues that the notion that soy products are not as healthy as said to be is inconsistent as supported by evidence. Soy has been used as a food that is rich in protein for a long time. It has been consumed by people who eat meat and also by vegetarians as an alternative source of protein. However, the continued use of soy and its widespread sensitization has made it one of the most controversial foods to date. While some people believe that soy is good for the human body, some believe that soy is a dangerous type of food to their health and would rather consume something else other than soy. There are several myths that are attached to soy and its products. The most common myths about soy is that has a negative effect on breast cancer and that women, especially those with breast cancer should not consume it. Secondly, it has been stated that soy contains high levels of estrogen and men should not consume it because it might impair their fertility. It has also been stated that because soy is a plant protein, it does not serve as a complete protein having all the nine essential amino acids. Therefore, the place where one gets his or her information about soy and its products determines the belief that he or she acquires about them. According to Hauser (2015), the announcement by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in 1999, that diets including daily soy led to a major reduction of the risk of heart disease made soy one of the most important food items of the American diets (Hauser, 2015). At the time, heart disease was the leading cause of death in the United States. Even today, soy is still considered as a healthy alternative to animal products. As such, soy protein saturates have filled supermarket shelves in the U.S. in different forms that include cereal, protein bars, crackers, edamame, tofu and soy milk among others (Hauser 2015). Norris (2011) states that there is much controversy surrounding soy foods, especially because of isoflavones that can bind to estrogen receptors negatively affecting the thyroid hormone. The author also notes that enough evidence exists that supports the fact that the consumption of moderate amounts of traditional soy foods can help in reducing the risk of prostate cancer (Norris, 2011). The most important information from Norris (2011) and Hauser (2015) is that despite the controversy, there is enough evidence showing that soy products are beneficial as well as detrimental in different ways. The main reason for the controversy surrounding soy and its products is isoflavones. This is a naturally occurring plant compound that exists in all forms of soy including organic soy (Hauser, 2015). Isoflavones are also referred to as phytoestrogens (plant estrogens) because they have the ability to attach to estrogen receptor cells. This has raised questions regarding its benefits to issues such as the bone health of women who are past menopause and also its detriments to people such as women with estrogen receptor positive cancer (Norris, 2011). Therefore, the main causes of controversy entail the issues of the benefits versus detriments of soy and its products. Soy products have several benefits. Hauser (2015) notes that some studies show that soy has benefits but when taken in moderation with low levels of isoflavones. However, he notes that the problem is that pro-soy studies have mostly been funded by soy lobbying groups, which makes the results of these studies questionable (Hauser, 2015). Studies that have been done on the effects of the consumption of soy including a research that was done on 100,000 women from California have shown that soy decreases the risk for ovarian and breast cancers. They have also indicated that soy decreases mortality rates, is an important source of lean protein, lowers bad LDL cholesterol and improves the symptoms of menopause in some women (Hauser, 2015). Some writers on soy foods have suggested that fermented soy is the healthiest and that isolated soy proteins are unhealthy (Norris, 2011). A review of six meta-analyses on soy and cholesterol levels in 2006 revealed that the consumption of isolated protein with 90 mg/day of isoflavones helps to reduce LDL cholesterol. Another meta-analysis of soy and prostate cancer in 2009 revealed that soy contributed to the reduction of prostate cancer risk. Another study done in 2009 also revealed that soy protein helps to reduce menopausal symptoms (Norris, 2011). The negative effects of soy have also been documented. Studies have shown that soy causes hypothyroidism, which is a malfunction of the thyroid gland. It also causes allergies, such as inflammation, itching, hives and anaphylaxis as reported by the FDA (Hauser, 2015). It has also been suggested that it causes fertility problems (reduced sperm count) among men because of the estrogen, contributes to breast cancer recurrence, nipple aspirate among women and also inhibit mineral absorption in high consumption because of the phytic acid (Norris, 2011). From the above information, it is clear that the effects of soy are the main causes of the controversies surrounding soy and its products. Studies have shown varied results with respect to how soy affects different people, in its varied forms and amounts. Most importantly, the controversies show that people do not understand the benefits and detriments of soy because the studies on soy consumption and effects are confusing. Therefore, the argument that soy products are not as healthy as said to be is inconsistent because the evidence is confusing. References Hauser, A. (2015). The Truth About Soy - Diet and Nutrition Center - Everyday Health. Retrieved from http://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/the-truth-about-soy.aspx Norris, J. (2011). Soy: Whats the Harm? Retrieved from http://www.veganhealth.org/articles/soy_wth Read More