For many people, just a little bit of soy intake can shut down their thyroids and cause problems with other hormones (such as testosterone and estrogen). This can lead to increase fat, loss of muscle, depression, hair loss, always feeling cold, brittle nails, watery or swollen eyes, lethargy, sore bones and joints.
While some people believe that soy triggers weight gain stemming from its plant-based estrogen content, very little is known about how much of an impact soy estrogen has on human estrogen levels. In fact, there’s some evidence that including soy in your diet might actually prevent weight gain.
When consumed in moderate quantities, some studies suggest that soy milk can help you lose weight by mimicking hormones in the body that reduce hunger. While any calorie-containing food or beverage can cause weight gain if consumed in excess of caloric needs, high-calorie drinks such as whole cow’s milk or liquid nutritional supplements promote more weight gain than soy milk.
Is soy really bad for the body?
The authors explain that soy is likely to be safe. However, consuming excessive amounts may create health risks in some people, such as those with undiagnosed hypothyroidism. Genetically modified foods could potentially lead to illnesses that are resistant to antibiotics.
Does soy help bone density?
Scientists seeking to isolate the chemical components in soy that are responsible for its seeming benefits have homed in on soy protein and isoflavones. Studies with isoflavones suggest that the compounds act preferentially in bone. And a few studies have shown that isoflavones increase bone mineral density in perimenopausal women.
Soy foods are low in fat, high in protein, and economical to boot. Scan the supplement aisle, especially the section targeting postmenopausal women, and you’ll find products containing soy isoflavones that claim to support bone health. Maybe you’ve also heard that eating more soy is good for your bones and can help prevent osteoporosis.
What foods are high in soy?
Some additional soy tips: Toss firm or extra firm tofu into your favorite stir-fry. Try soy yogurt or soy puddings for a healthy snack. Mix together ice cubes, soy milk and fresh fruit for a tasty smoothie treat. Make a healthy trail mix with roasted soybeans (soy “nuts”) and dried fruit. Spread some soy nut butter on whole grain toast instead of peanut butter, and more items.
Does soy interact with osteoporosis drugs?
The actions of soy appear to mimic that of conventional osteoporosis drugs, ” says Thozhukat Sathyapalan, MD, who led the study. “The 66 mg of isoflavone that we use in this study is equivalent to eating an Oriental diet, which is rich in soy foods.
Nov. 2, 2015 — Getting plenty of soy protein from food, or taking soy supplements, could help protect older women from osteoporosis, early results from a new study suggest. Women become more likely to get that condition, which makes bones weak and brittle, after menopause.
Soy isoflavones for osteoporosis: an evidence-based approach Effects of soy isoflavones on osteoporosis remain unclear. This review aimed to clarify the effect of soy isoflavones on bone mineral density (BMD) and turnover markers in menopausal women.