Busting the Myths on Soy Protein
There are many opinions on soy protein that clutter the internet and those opinions leave us reeling with more questions than answers most of the time. I don’t wish to clutter it more . What I do want is to give you facts on what clinical research has shown to be true for years. Here is what I learned...
Do soybeans cause cancer?
It is true that “overcooked” soy does contain “carcinogenic” compounds. When soy is extruded through high temperature, high-pressure steam nozzles to form what is called “textured vegetable protein – TVP for short”, this form of processing renders the soy “meat substitute” carcinogenic or cancer causing. TVP is what is used in soy dogs and soy burgers, and should be avoided.
What about roasted soybeans?
Whole soybeans are high in plant fat. If soybeans are roasted to eat as soy nuts, the heat alters the fat and makes it a trans-fatty acid, which causes both cancer and heart disease. As roasted soy nuts sit on the shelf or in the cupboard in storage, the oils are becoming more and more rancid and carcinogenic. AVOID roasted soybeans.
But I’ve heard that soy protein is hard on the kidneys!
Animal protein is much harder to digest than vegetable protein. Since many people have digestive difficulties, protein that is not thoroughly digested is very challenging to the kidneys. Powdered protein is in a predigested state, and the BEST protein source to choose! Protein is not the enemy – it is essential for life. It is true, however, that EXCESSIVE protein is hard on the kidneys, so if a person consumes more than 2 grams of protein per pound of body weight daily, AND does not consume adequate carbohydrates with it, this could cause kidney damage.
I have breast cancer, and I’ve been told I cannot have soy!
It is true that soy is a “phyto-estrogen” food, which means it contains substances that have hormone-like components. However, their estrogen strength is 1/1000th that of the body’s own stronger estrogens. Therefore, you want to load your digestive system with quality controlled raw soy powder, because these weaker estrogens will block the estrogen receptor sites from receiving your body’s own stronger estrogens and therefore be very protective against estrogen fed cancer.
Essential 7 Checklist for a Quality Soy Product:
1) Were the soybeans ORGANICALLY GROWN?
Studies have shown decreased levels of food nutrients and increased levels of nitrates in chemically fertilized crops, when compared with their organic counterparts. There is a connection between the ingestion of nitrates & CANCER! Therefore, it is important to know that pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides have not been used during the growing process. In particular, with soybeans, since they are such a hardy plant, a powerful and DEADLY weed spray called Round Up is usually used. For your safety, you must know that your soy products are organically grown. [Shaklee soy is organically grown.]
2) Were the soybeans GENETICALLY ENGINEERED?
Genetically engineered soybeans are much cheaper to purchase, and most companies producing soy products look for ways to save money. [Shaklee soy is certified non-GMO (i.e., it is guaranteed to contain no genetically-modified organism.)]
3) Does your soybean powder contain ALL of the nine essential amino acids?
One of the most valuable features of the soybean is that it is a complete protein and provides ALL nine of the essential amino acids. The body requires these daily to produce hormones, digestive juices, antibodies, and enzymes. HOWEVER, not all soybeans are created equal. Quality and amino acid content will vary based on soil conditions, and variable growing and harvest conditions. If one essential amino acid is missing, the immune system can be depressed 30%, and many important body functions are delayed or stopped. Therefore, it is essential that each batch of soybeans be checked for amino acid content if we want to depend on the soy isolate to provide a GUARANTEED supply of the nine essential amino acids. [Shaklee soy contains all nine essential amino acids.]
4) Were the crushed soy flakes washed in alcohol or water?
Alcohol washing destroys isoflavones content up to 88%! It is the isoflavones that reduce the risk of breast, prostate, lung and bowel cancer! As well, it is the isoflavones that are so beneficial in hormone balancing and increasing bone mass. [Shaklee soy is washed only in water.]
5) Was the “anti-thyroid”, “anti-growth” substance in the raw soy removed?
Asians, who have consumed large amounts of soy for years, have known that RAW soy contains an “anti-growth”, “anti-tyrosine” substance. Tyrosine deficiency will cause low blood pressure, low body temperature, and restless leg syndrome. Therefore, Asians always lightly cook their soy foods to deactivate the “anti-tyrosine/anti-growth” substance. Shaklee has designed an extracting process that removes this substance, yet keeps the soy in a raw form in order to maintain the HIGHEST LEVEL OF AMINO ACIDS and ISOFLAVONES, which are very sensitive to heat. [Shaklee removes all pro-goitrogens from its soy.]
Richard Brouse, M.A., D.C.
Minor Surgery/Proctology
Clinical Sciences Instructional Staff
2900 NE 132nd Avenue, Portland, OR 97230-3099
(503) 654-3225
Shaklee has known how to separate soy with cold water extraction since the early 1950’s. Dr. Shaklee was one of the earliest researchers in soy in the USA. The effects of soy was first measured in birds which showed they changed foliage and matured very young as well as slowing down the thyroid function.
After this observation they realized there was an anti-tyrosine property in raw soy beans. So Dr. Shaklee had to separate the protein from the raw soy bean and leave behind the enzymes that contained the anti-tyrosine substance.
Another problem is when you cook soy, in order to de-nature compounds like the anti-thyroid substance, then you begin to rearrange the amino acid substance in soy which then becomes a toxic substance. Two years ago, Vegetarian Times ran an article telling their customers not to eat soy products because they are poison.
Shaklee has known this for a long time. There is a process called a “Mallard” reaction – whenever you cook a food you de-nature it and make it into something different. That’s why the Chinese would take tofu, which is a water extract of soy curd, and cook it and eat it right away, before there was any time for degradation. There is no word in the Chinese language for hot flashes because they don’t cook things and store them to eat them later, especially soy,
Dr. Shaklee knew that, too. By using a cold water extraction technique, you get the very best of the soy and all of the positive things like the phyto-estrogens which inhibit breast cancer and prostate cancer in men. There are over 1500 studies showing the positive benefits of soy and only 12 to 20 negative studies showing that when you alter and de-nature soy you end up with junk. Dr. Shaklee knew the difference.
Some people today don’t read the fine print to realize there is a difference in soy. The Veggie burger group and several other companies’ textured vegetable protein products produce cancer, we know that.
The difference in Shaklee is that they did the research long before people even started talking about this stuff. You can go on the net and get an article written by Christopher Jensen, PhD, MPH, School of Public Health, University of California, at Berkeley, about the anti-thyroid effects of soy.
