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A lot of greensters are trying to cut down on their meat intakes to reduce their carbon footprints. Others won't eat meat for moral reasons. Whatever a person's beef with meat may be, they are still going to have to eat something. A lot of vegetarians, vegans and low-meat eaters have taken to munching down tofu and other soy-based products to get their daily protein.
Soy's health benefits have been under scrutiny for quite some time. There are those who think soy is a health food, and there are those who think soy wreaks all sorts of havoc to the human body. I don't know. I'm not a doctor, but here's what The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine has to say about soy and its health risks:
All information is directly from the NCCAM website.
What the Science Says
Research suggests that daily intake of soy protein may slightly lower levels of LDL ("bad") cholesterol. Some studies suggest that soy isoflavone supplements may reduce hot flashes in women after menopause. However, the results have been inconsistent.
There is not enough scientific evidence to determine whether soy supplements are effective for any other health uses.
NCCAM is supporting ongoing studies of soy, including its effects on women's arteries and bones after menopause.
Side Effects and Cautions
Soy is considered safe for most people when used as a food or when taken for short periods as a dietary supplement. Minor stomach and bowel problems such as nausea, bloating, and constipation are possible. Allergic reactions such as breathing problems and rash can occur in rare cases. The safety of long-term use of soy isoflavones has not been established. Evidence is mixed on whether using isoflavone supplements, over time, can increase the risk of endometrial hyperplasia (a thickening of the lining of the uterus that can lead to cancer). Studies show no effect of dietary soy on risk for endometrial hyperplasia.
Soy's possible role in breast cancer risk is uncertain. Until more is known about soy's effect on estrogen levels, women who have or who are at increased risk of developing breast cancer or other hormone-sensitive conditions (such as ovarian or uterine cancer) should be particularly careful about using soy and should discuss it with their health care providers.
Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.
Evidence Surrounding Soy is Not Yet Conclusive, Somewhat Worrisome
The possible link to cancer and the worries surrounding isoflavone are daunting. On top of this, there are dozens of websites out there that proclaim that soy is linked to dementia, breast cancer and infertility. I'd assume, however, that the NAACM is a fairly neutral party whose driving motivation is public heath. Hopefully, scientists can get to the bottom of this conundrum sooner rather than later. I'd like to get back to eating Tofurkey without any excessive worry.
More on Health:
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