The Truth About Soy Foods

Below is an article written by Dr. Mercola, with information regarding soy, with information regarding healthy and harmful kinds of soy.


If you were to carefully review the thousands of studies published on soy, I strongly believe you would reach the same conclusion as I have - which is, the risk or consuming unfermented soy products FAR outweigh any possible benefits.

Notice I said unfermented soy products.

For centuries, Asian people have been consuming fermented soy products such as natto, tempeh, and soy sauce, and enjoying the health benefits. Fermented soy does not wreak havoc on your body like unfermented soy products do.

Unfortunately, many Americans who are committed to healthy lifestyles have been hoodwinked and manipulated into believing that unfermented and processed soy products like soy milk, soy cheese, soy burgers and soy ice cream are good for them.

How Did Soy Foods Become So Popular?

If it seems like soy foods appeared out of nowhere to be regarded as the "miracle health food" of the 21st century, it's because they did.

From 1992 to 2006, soy food sales increased from $300 million to nearly $4 billion, practically overnight, according to the Soyfoods Association of North America. This growth came about due to a massive shift in attitudes about soy. And this shift was no accident - it was the result of a massive investment in advertising by the soy industry that's been wildly successful.

Soy is indeed big business, very big business.

From 2000 to 2007, U.S. food manufacturers introduced more than 2,700 new soy-based foods, and new soy products continue to appear on your grocer's shelves.

According to the survey Consumer Attitudes About Nutrition 2008 (by the United Soybean Board):

- As of 2007, 85% of consumers perceive soy products as healthful
- 33% of Americans eat soy foods or beverages at least once a month
- 70% of consumers believe soybean oil is good for them
- 84% of consumers agree with the FDA's claim that consuming 25 grams of soy protein daily reduces your risk of heart disease

This is a tragic case of shrewd marketing and outright lies taking root among the masses with the end result of producing large profits for the soy industry and impaired health for most who have been deceived into using unfermented soy long-term.

As you can see from the extensive list of articles below, there is a large amount of scientific research showing that soy is not the nutritional panacea of the 21st Century.

The Dark Side of Soy

The vast majority of soy at your local market is not a health food. The exception is fermented soy, which I'll explain more about later and even worse GMO soy that is contaminated with large pesticide residues as the reason it is GMO is so they can spray the potent toxic herbicide Roundup on them to improve crop production by killing the weeds.

Unlike Asian culture, where people eat small amounts of whole non-GMO soybean products, western food processors separate the soybean into two golden commodities - protein and oil. And there is nothing natural or safe about these products.

Dr. Kaayla Daniel, author of The Whole Soy Story, points out thousands of studies linking soy to malnutrition, digestive distress, immune-system breakdown, thyroid dysfunction, cognitive decline, reproductive disorders and infertility - even cancer and heart disease.

Here is just a sampling of the health effects that have been linked to soy consumption:

- Breast cancer
- Brain damage
- Infant abnormalities
- Thyroid disorders
- Kidney stones
- Immune system impairment
- Severe, potentially fatal food allergies
- Impaired fertility
- Danger during pregnancy and nursing

Soy proponents will argue that soy-based foods (they lump the fermented ones with the unfermented) will protect you from everything from colon, prostate and breast cancer to strokes, osteoporosis, and asthma.

But said enthusiasts never mention the studies that illuminate soy's downside and all of the dangers posed to your health, which are based on sound research.

Another unfortunate fact is that 80% of the world's soy is used in farm animal feed, which is why soy production is contributing to deforestation. Some soy propagandists have suggested that the solution to this is for all of us to become vegetarians - a reckless recommendation rooted in total ignorance about nutrition - whereas a far better solution is a major overhaul in how farm animals are fed and raised.



What Soy Products are Good For You?

I want to be clear that I am not opposed to all soy. Soy can be incredibly healthful, but ONLY if it is organic and properly fermented.

After a long fermentation process, the phytate and "anti-nutrient" levels of soybeans are reduced, and their beneficial properties become available to your digestive system.

You may have heard that Japanese people live longer and have lower rates of cancer than Americans because they eat so much soy - but it's primarily fermented soy that they consume, and it's always been that way.

Fermented soy products are the only ones I recommend consuming.

These are the primary fermented soy products you'll find:

- Tempeh, a fermented soybean cake with a firm texture and nutty, mushroom-like flavor.
- Miso, a fermented soybean paste with a salty, buttery texture (commonly used in miso soup).
- Natto, fermented soybeans with a sticky texture and strong, cheese-like flavor.
- Soy sauce, which is traditionally made by fermenting soybeans, salt and enzymes; be wary because many varieties on the market today are made artificially using a chemical process.

Please note that tofu is NOT on this list. Tofu is not fermented, so is not among the soy foods I recommend.

Vitamin K2: One of the Major Benefits of Fermented Soy

One of the main benefits of fermented soy, especially natto, is that it is the best food source of vitamin K2. Vitamin K2 is essential to preventing osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and diseases of the brain such as dementia, and protecting you from various cancers including prostate, lung, liver cancer and leukemia.

Vitamin K acts synergistically with vitamin D to keep you healthy.

Vitamin K is sometimes referred to as the "forgotten vitamin" because its benefits are often overlooked. It was named after the word "Koagulation," to reflect its essential role in blood clotting. In fact, the enzyme nattokinase - derived from natto - is safer and more powerful than aspirin in dissolving blood clots, and has been used safely for more than 20 years.

If you enjoy natto or some of the other fermented soy foods, you can get several milligrams of vitamin K2 from them each day (this level far exceeds the amount of vitamin K2 found even in dark green vegetables).

Unfortunately, the health benefits of many of the fermented soy foods fall by the wayside because many Americans do not enjoy their flavor.

If you don't want to consume natto to get your vitamin K2, the next best thing would be to use supplemental vitamin K2. Remember vitamin K must be taken with a source of fat in order to be absorbed.

Dr. Mercola (www.mercola.com)

The "Skinny" on Popcorn!

Chances are, if you're planning a fun outing or get-together, popcorn is involved. From movie theaters to ball parks and carnivals to birthday parties and movie rental nights, popcorn is there. But although popcorn has become inexorably linked with fun and entertainment, it's not necessarily as innocent and wholesome as it seems. Depending on how it's prepared, popcorn can be very unhealthy - even dangerously so. So before your next movie night or ballgame, read on.

Popcorn is a party for the taste buds. And, in its pure form, it's healthful. Free of salt, trans-fatty acids and preservatives, in its natural state, popcorn provides a delicious source of fiber. This whole-grain product is also lower in calories than most other snack foods.

Your doctor at Nova Spinal Care encourages patients to include plenty of fiber in their diets. Why? Because a high-fiber diet has many positive effects on physical health. "In addition to positive effects in the gastrointestinal tract it [fiber] has an obvious potential to support weight reduction and to improve disturbances of carbohydrate and fat metabolism," according to a recently published article by German researchers. Eating a high-fiber diet is also considered to be especially effective in the prevention of type 2 diabetes (Horm Metab Res 2007;39:687-93).

However, popcorn is rarely served unadulterated. Rather, what manufacturers and consumers add to it transforms this otherwise healthy treat into an unhealthy nightmare.

Your doctor at Nova Spinal Care encourages patients to get the facts about this snack, and all the snacks they enjoy, as part of the chiropractic lifestyle, a philosophy that promotes the prevention of disease through regularly scheduled chiropractic care, exercise, stress reduction, proper sleep and optimal nutrition.

"Pop" History

Popcorn isn't new to the snack scene. Scholars discovered that humans have enjoyed this treat for millennia. In the late 1940s, for instance, researchers made an incredible discovery in a west-central New Mexican bat cave: 4,000 year old popcorn! They determined that our ancestors once popped corn by heating sand in a fire and stirring in the kernels.

Unhealthy Fats Lurking in Your Kernels

Popcorn troubles start with the toppings. And, believe it or not, butter is not the worst offender.

Although real butter is high in fat, this type of fat is actually healthier than the phony "butter flavor" used in many microwave and movie house popcorns.

Specifically, "butter flavor" is often high in trans-fatty acids (TFA), which are associated with a bolstered risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer and a plethora of other ailments. Even if your favorite movie house of popcorn brand boasts "no trans fat" - beware. The primary fat used to replace trans fat (fully hydrogenated or interesterfied fat) is just as destructive to health, if not more so.

And beware - even a little microwave popcorn equals a lot of trans fat. Nutrition experts define a snack of just 100 grams (3.5 ounces) of standard microwave popcorn is a high trans-fat menu item. This is equivalent in transfat content to a meal of french fries and chick nuggets (Atheroscler Sullp 2006;7:47-52).

Microwaving Popcorn? Don Your Gas Mask

Unfortunately, the dangers of microwave popcorn don't end with the butter.

Commercial microwave popcorn bags are coated with the same material used in many nonstick cookware products. Known as perfluoroalkyl carboxylates (PFCAs), the coating imparts oil and repels water.

The family of perfluorochemicals - of which PFCAs are a member - are widely used in manufacturing and processing of a vast array of consumer goods, including electrical wiring, clothing, household and automotive products (Food Addit Contam 2005;22:1023-31).

Alarmingly, researchers recently found perfluorochemicals in vapors emitted from pre-packaged microwave popcorn bags (Environ Sci Technol 2007;41:1180).

Researchers speculate that inhaling or ingesting these chemicals may up the risk of cancer and other diseases.

Additional Inhalation Risk

Inhaling fumes from chemicals in microwave popcorn's butter flavoring also poses a health risk.

A study in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine confirms numerous earlier reports: Workers in microwave popcorn plants are at high risk of developing bronchial obstruction. The culprit? Continued exposure to chemical components found in butter flavorings (Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2007;176:498-504).

Known as "popcorn worker's lung," the effects are compounded over time (Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2006;215:17-22).

For those who make microwave popcorn part of their nightly ritual, continued inhalation of the rich, butter "just popped"fragrance from the bag can also damage lungs.

On September 5 of this year, USA Today published a letter written to federal agencies by a pulmonary specialist at Denver's National Jewish Medical and Research Center. The specialist warned that consumers may also be at risk of developing "popcorn worker's lung" after the first case of a consumer developing lung disease from inhaling the fumes of microwave popcorn - several times a day for years - was confirmed by the Center's doctors.

Packing and Portion Size

Popcorn also poses a threat to your waistline due to the way it's packaged and the way we typically eat it - in a jumbo container while distracted by a movie or ballgame.

One unique study included 158 movie-goers in Philadelphia (57.6 percent male with an average age of 28.7 years). Researchers randomly gave participants a medium (120 gram) or large (240 gram) container of free popcorn that was either fresh or stale (14 days old).

Following the movie, consumption measures were taken, along with measures of perceived taste. "Moviegoers who were given fresh popcorn ate 45.3 percent more popcorn when it was given to them in large containers. This container-size influence is so powerful that even when the popcorn was disliked, people still ate 33.6 percent more popcorn when eating from a large container than from a medium-size container." (J Nutr Educ Behav 2005;37:242-5).

Unless your favorite movie house offers all-natural popcorn free of any additives or flavorings, and allows you to request the amount of salt and real butter used, skip movie popcorn. Besides, munching while watching a movie or television leads to overeating. Instead, save the snack for when you return home, when you can pop up a batch of all-natural kernels.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

For some, popcorn can also be hard on the digestive system.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is sparked by hypersensitivity to foods and beverages that stimulate the gastrointestinal tract. These often include popcorn, dairy products, caffeine, alcoholic beverages, spices, diet beverages, spices, diet beverages and nuts (Inflamm Bowl Dis 2007;13:91-6).

If you experience any allergic reactions or change in bowel frequency or consistency after consuming popcorn, consult with your doctor.

Popping the Old-Fashioned Way Is Best

Using a hot-air popper to inflate kernels eliminates the need for oil or fat, and increase the health benefits of popcorn.

Other home-cooked methods, such as popping with a small amount of olive oil in a tightly covered pan on the stove top, also offer benefits because you, not the manufacturer, control the amount and type of butter and salt used.

If you must use butter, use real organic butter, and use it sparingly. Alternatively, get creative! Try tossing popcorn with rosemary, thyme, lavender, honey, organic dark chocolate shavings, chili sauce or or curry powder.

Nutrition: An Integral Factor in the Chiropractic Approach to Wellness

This chiropractic office is committed to teaching patients about nutrition. To learn more about the effect of nutrition on health, ask us about additional research-based materials and other programs we have available for patients.

Make a Clean Sweep of Toxic Household Cleaners

You've thoroughly cleaned your house. It looks better, smells better and makes you feel better - you've created a cleaner, more sanitary, healthier environment for you and your family, right? Maybe not. Your doctor at Nova Spinal Care wants patients to understand that, depending on what cleaning products you use, you could be doing more harm than good. Read on to learn more about the hazards lurking in your cleaning supplies and information that the doctors have gathered on natural alternatives , including recipes for some homemade cleaners!

Unhealthy Cleaning

The majority of today's mainstream cleaning supplies contain dangerous chemicals, including ammonia, chlorine bleach, glycol ethers and alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs).

Exposure to these chemicals has been linked to both immediate health concerns (such as respiratory irritation) and long term health effects (such as asthma and cancer). The following is a sampling of the most recent research into the health effects of exposure to cleaning chemicals.

Asthma Association

Numerous studies have linked bleach containing cleaning products with asthma. One recent study concluded: "Asthma symptoms in domestic cleaning women are associated with exposure to bleach and possibly other irritant agents. The public health impact of the use of irritant cleaning products could be widespread since the use of these products is common both in the workplace at the home." (Occup Environ Med 2005;62:598-606).

And this link has now been established in nonprofessional cleaners as well. A 2007 study investigated the "respiratory effects of nonprofessional home cleaning" and found that: "The use of c leaning sprays at least weekly... was associated with the incidence of asthma symptoms or medication and wheeze. The incidence of physician-diagnosed asthma was higher among those using sprays at least 4 days per week." The study concludes: "Frequent use of a common household cleaning sprays may be an important risk factor for adult asthma." (Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2007;15;176:735-41).

And unfortunately, the risk is not confined to those doing the cleaning. Recent studies have found that a mother's use of cleaning products during pregnancy ups the risk of wheezing and lung function abnormalities in children (Eur Respir J 2008;31:547-54).

Cancer Connection

State epidemiologists from Oregon recently made a startling report to the Federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry in Atlanta. "Former workers at the View Master plant in Beaverton, Oregon, died of pancreatic cancer twice as frequently as the general population and of kidney cancer three times as often." (Medical Letter on the CDC & FDA 2003).

The suspected cause? Water from a well contaminated with high levels of trichloroethylene (TCE), a commercial degreaser allegedly dumped on the ground near the plant.

A 2007 study also established a link between TCE exposure and prostate cancer (Am J Ind Med 2007;50:383-90).

In addition, a greater-than-normal risk of bladder cancer was recently linked to housekeepers, launderers, dry cleaners and butlers - all of whom use cleaning supplies on a regular basis (J Occup Environ Med 2002;44:685).

Reproductive Repercussions

Animals studies have linked glycol ethers, solvents commonly found in glass cleaners and all-purpose spray cleaners, to reduced fertility and low birth weight (Gynecl Obstet Fertil 2006;34:955-63).

Combination Concerns

The simultaneous use of multiple cleansers - particularly bleaching formulas - is extremely dangerous. This deadly mix generates invisible clouds of toxic fumes, particularly in poorly ventilated areas.

According to one scientific study, the inhaled gases cause "respiratory tract irritation with cough, labored breathing and sometimes pulmonary edema. Headache, vertigo, cyanosis and hypotension are common and additional criteria for hospitalization." (J Toxicology: Clin Toxicology 2002;40:355).

Environmental Effects

In addition to raising severe health issues, many of today's commercial cleaning products pose hazards to the environment.

Everything that flows down the drain or into a landfill eventually ends up in the water supply. This is particularly true for people who rely on wells, as opposed to municipal water supplies.

The Tide Is Turning

Fortunately, consumer demand for safer cleaning alternatives has led to a slew of new, safer, natural products. Even the Clorox Company introduced a new line of "green" products - Green Works.

Additional manufacturers of alternative cleaning products include Trader Joe's, Seventh Generation, Earth Friendly Products, Global Balance Products and Moon Works. For an extensive list of manufacturers of all-natural cleaning products, see Natural Geographic's Green Guide at www.thegreenguide.com.

Beware of the "Go Green" Bandwagon

Keep in mind that "all natural," "green" products mean big bucks for manufacturers, which means they'll fight to get those words on their labels.

And labeling in the cleaning products industry is highly unregulated, including the use of terms like "green," "natural" and "nontoxic." Manufacturers are also not required to list all of their ingredients. So even if the label claims that all ingredients are disclosed, there's no guarantee.

Manufacturers are, however, required to list health warnings. SO if a label says "Danger," "Poison" or "Warning" - that's a clue that harmful ingredients are included. Also look for specific terms like "no solvents," "no phosphates" or "plant-based," which are more meaningful than non-specific terms like "natural" or "ecologically friendly."

Safety First

Just because a cleaning product features natural ingredients doesn't mean it's nontoxic or non-irritating. Always use gloves and hospital masks while cleaning. Keep all cleaning supplies out of the reach of children, and make sure everyone in your household knows where to find the poison control center phone number.

No Substitute for Homemade

Avoid all the worries about toxic chemicals by making your own cleaning solutions! A few simple ingredients and a little elbow grease will take care of most of your cleaning needs. For green cleaning recipes, see Consumer Reports' Greener Choices site at www.greenerchoices.org or Greenpeace's site at www.greenpeace.org.

Make Your Own Mirror and Glass Cleaner
1/2 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup rosemary tea
5-6 drops rosemary essential oil

Make Your Own All-Purpose Surface Scrub
1/2 cup baking soda
1/4 cup dried and crushed lemon balm leaves
1/4 cup dried and crushed lavender leaves
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
5 drops lavender essential oil

Make Your Own Air Freshener (in a spray bottle)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vinegar (or lemon juice)
2 cups hot water