The Whole Soy Story

When I teach and write about health I try to focus on all the fabulous things (Healthy Discoveries) that people can “add into” their lives. I think focusing on deprivation, and telling someone they should “stop doing something” often has a backlash effect.

With that said, when things like trans-fats , artificial sweeteners and SOY PROTEIN ISOLATES cross my path I have to digress.

I didn’t watch Oprah’s 2009 season premier on Monday, but I heard it was all about healthy living. Oprah’s recent weight gain, which she attributes in part to her thyroid gland, was the motivation behind the show.

I did watch Oprah and Dr. Oz on Tuesday. They talked about things like Omega 3 fats, anti-oxidants, fiber, exercise, and Vitamin D. I can’t criticize, it was all good.

However, I do want to say this. In the past Oprah has talked about her “health drink”, soy milk. While Tuesday’s show didn’t specifically address soy milk, it gave me the inspiration to write about it here.

I do not think we all should be jumping on the SOY BANDWAGON! Gasp! Did I just write that? Yeah, I did. Sorry!

I know, you’ve heard that soy is “healthy” and you should add copious amounts of soy to your diet. Oprah certainly has.

But here’s the thing. I think there is strong evidence that connects soy isolates to potential thyroid issues, which could trigger frustrating weight struggles.

Don’t take my word for this. If you’ve taken one of my workshops you know that I always say, “get second, third opinions. Do not take one thing you hear and turn it into your health dogma. That includes things you hear from Oprah, your own doctor, AND ME!“. Never stop questioning and doing your own research!

Here’s a “Healthy Discovery” research resource. It’s called The Whole Soy Story: The Dark Side of America’s Favorite Health Food I heard the author, Kaayla T. Daniel Ph.D, speak this summer at a functional medicine conference. I was impressed by her thorough research.

The Israeli Health Ministry, French Food Agency, UK Committee on Toxicity and German Federal Institute of Risk Assessment have all issued big warnings against soy. Dr Daniels has exhaustively researched the inconsistent and often contradictory evidence in the U.S. on soy and disease. She focuses on three high-risk groups:

1. Babies on soy infant formula.
2. Vegetarians who consume soy as meat and dairy replacements.
3. Adults who self medicate with soy foods, soy milk and supplements.

Daniels is primarily talking about soy isolates, such as; the popular American soy protein powders, soy protein snack bars, soy milk etc.

Thyroid and reproductive problems have been connected to soy isolate consumption. When Oprah took a break in Hawaii last summer to heal her thyroid gland she was quoted as saying, ” I drank a lot of soy milk”. Hmmm?

I myself have a hypothyroid. I have written why balancing the thyroid gland is not easy. There are many factors to consider beyond soy, but this is my personal opinion (I am NOT a doctor): Thyroid patients should consider avoiding all wheat-gluten and soy. I’m waiting for the day when Oprah has her “ah-ha” gluten-free, soy-free moment! The scientific research is strong regarding the negative effects that soy and gluten can have on the thyroid gland, thus potentially leading to weight issues.

Daniel’s book has a lot of good “food for thought”. She references hundreds of epidemiological, clinical and laboratory studies which link soy to malnutrition, digestive problems, thyroid dysfunction, cognitive decline, reproductive disorders, immune system breakdown, even heart disease and cancer. Daniels also provides the information you need to determine which studies are valid, which justify hope and which are mere hype.

The Whole Soy Story: The Dark Side of America’s Favorite Health Food, might just be the missing physiological link to Oprah’s recent weight struggle; but I digress!