Soy contains a class of phytochemicals called isoflavones which may have a protective effect against hormone-dependent cancers such as breast cancer, according to BreastCancer.org, although the evidence remains inconclusive so far. Some specific isoflavones include genistein and diadzein. Other phytochemicals in soy include the cholesterol-regulating phytosterols and saponins and the antioxidant phenolic acids and phytates.
Foods that contain high amounts of isoflavones include soy, peanuts, chick peas, alfalfa, fava beans, and kudzu.
I have read mixed data. Many sites state that soy oil and soy lecithin do not contain isoflavones and/or phytoestrogens, however other sites say that it does, especially soy lecithin. I guess we won't know.
I started taking Estroven to help with my night sweats and mood swings and just plain crappy feeling for the last year. I'm 42 yrs old and took it for a few days when I thought I was PMSing. Now I'm 4 days late and I hope it's the estroven that messed me up, I don't need to be pregnant at this age. I'm beside myself in tears and worried.
Opponents of soy milk as a healthy alternative claim that it contains "phytoestrogens" or chemicals found in plants. This chemical is believed to be the catalyst for the dangers of soy milk because they can affect the body in the same way that the female hormone estrogen does. This is said to negatively affect men who regularly consume soy causing problems with their thyroid and possibly even fertility. Studies also show the possibility of a rise in the risk for endometrial cancers when women consume high levels of phytoestrogens. Wait a minute! These phytoestrogens sound the same as isoflavones. Aren't the isoflavones said to be one of the benefits of soy milk?Well here is the breakdown on it. Phytoestrogens are phytochemicals, or natural chemicals found in plants. Phytoestrogens, imparticular, exerts weak, estrogen like effects on the body. Isoflavones are a type or group of phytoestrogens which are thought to be positive. Again, this group of isoflavones is thought to aid in preventing cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis and menopausal symptoms.Scientists say that there are also drawbacks to the isoflavones which might be the source for negative reports. Of course there are first off some people who are allergic to soy.There are also warnings for pregnant and nursing women as they are not sure of the long term affects of the soy isoflavones on babies.Men with prostrate cancer should avoid soy products, as well as women with certain types of tumors. It is also important to note that soy has been associated with hypothyroidism in some.Overall, I've decided to stick with using soy milk. From my research, I found that many of the negative reports or studies on soy milk were funded by dairy associations. I would hesitate however after reading reports to make soy a major part of my diet I believe that soy definitely has it's benefits, but as with anything else, it is best consumed in moderation. (source from http://--------www. -----------associatedcontent. com/article/39587/the_truth_about_soy_milk_is_it_good_pg2.html?cat=)
Yes
Isoflavones are a type of antioxidant that combats cell damage. Genistein and daidzein, the isoflavones present in soy protein, possess antioxidant properties that protect LDL cholesterol from oxidation.Isoflavones are a class of phytoestrogens-plant-derived compounds with estrogenic activity. They include:Genistein, found primarily in soy and also in other legumes, such as chickpeas, has the strongest estrogenic activity of all the isoflavones, acts as an antioxidant, anti-cancer agent, may help people with metabolic syndrome, protects against osteoporosis, may affect weight loss, and eases menopause symptoms, such as hot flushes.Daidzein, found in soy beans, kudzu, and red clover, protects cells against oxidative damage to DNA, reduces incidences of prostate cancers, works with tamoxifen to protect against breast cancer, seems to reduce the risk for osteoporosis by stimulating the formation of osteoblasts, and may reduce dependence on alcohol.Glycitein, found mostly in soy, has weak estrogenic activity. It may also fight oxidative damage, cancer, atherosclerosis, and osteoporosis.Isoflavones are polyphenolic compounds with estrogen like effects.
Soy sauce is notorious for containing high amounts of sodium, but it is also rich in antioxidants, isoflavones, protein, and even a small amount of fiber. One tablespoon of soy sauce contains roughly 11 calories, 2 grams of protein, 1 gram of carbohydrates, and 1006 mg of sodium. The nutritional content will vary depending on the variety of soy sauce and the ingredients used to make it.
Most soy isoflavones are classified as plant estrogens (phytoestrogens), ipriflavone does not have estrogenic activity, and does not activate any estrogen receptors in the body.
Too much of anything is bad for you, but in moderate quantities soy is fine. Additional info More and more people are showing an allergy to soy. Soy is in all processed food and even candy. Over a year ago I found I had a soy allergy and have discovered a great deal about how much soy is in our food.Since cutting all soy in my diet I have lost weight and never have felt better.
This is a big problem. Soy contains plant estrogens in the form of isoflavones which effectively raises your estrogen levels and therefore lowers your testosterone levels. Those hormones are in competition so more of one means less of the other. Messing up your estrogen levels has devastating effects for men, women as well as children and newborns. Soy is only fit for human consumption in it's fermented forms ( soy sauce, miso, tofu ), other than that soy contains phytates, which block absorption of nutrients from your stomach to your bloodstream; phytoestrogens which wreak havoc on your biology, causing sterility in women and sexual impotency and severely lowered sperm count in men; soy lecithin which causes inflammation and raises your risk of death from all diseases; goitrogens, which cause thyroid problems or failure; Toxins called protease inhibitors, which prevent proper digestion of anything in your gut and lead to a host of gut disease.
Soy-based products consumed in Asian countries are minimally processed whereas in the USA many of the soy foods and soy ingredients are highly processed. Soy foods contain complex mixtures of bioactive compounds, which may interact with one another. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of various soy products containing genistin, the glycoside form of genistein, to affect growth of MCF-7 cells transplanted into ovariectomized athymic mice. Products investigated included soy flour, two crude extracts of soy (soy molasses and Novasoy®), a mixture of isoflavones and genistin in pure form. Each of the soy flour-processed products was added to the diet to provide equivalent amounts of genistein aglycone equivalents (750 p.p.m.). Tumors in the negative control animals regressed throughout the study while the tumors in the soy flour-fed animals remained basically the same size (neither grew nor regressed). In animals consuming soy molasses, Novasoy®, mixed isoflavones or genistin alone, tumor growth was stimulated when compared with animals consuming a control diet devoid of soy. These same dietary treatments resulted in increased cellular proliferation. Changes in mRNA expression of gene targets (estrogen responsiveness, cell cycle progression, apoptosis and aromatase activity) in tumors induced by the different diets were evaluated. The relative expression of pS2, progesterone receptor and cyclin D1 was increased in animals consuming the Novasoy®, mixed isoflavones and genistin. Bcl2 mRNA expression was low in most of the dietary treatment groups compared with positive (estradiol implant) controls. Aromatase expression was not affected in any of the treatment groups. The degree of soy flour processing affects the estrogenicity of products containing a constant amount of genistein. Collectively, these findings suggest that for postmenopausal women with estrogen-dependent breast cancer, the consumption of foods containing soy flour is more advisable than consuming isoflavones in more purified forms. sorry, if its a long answer but here it is.... everything you need to know!