Soy consumption associated with the formation of malignancies and several anomalies of the reproductive systems

This paper was published in the Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology & Metabolism 2010 Sep;23(9):855-61.

Study title and authors:

Soy as an endocrine disruptor: cause for caution?

Bar-El DS, Reifen R.

School of Nutritional Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.

This paper can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21175082

Bar-El notes that endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) alter the function of the endocrine system and consequently cause adverse health effects. Phytoestrogens, natural plant compounds abundantly found in soy and soy products, are considered to be endocrine disrupting compounds.

In a review of the literature Bar-El found:
(a) The evidence for the alleged beneficial effects of phytoestrogens are indirect and inconsistent.
(b) Lifetime exposure to estrogenic substances, especially during critical periods of development, has been associated with formation of malignancies and several anomalies of the reproductive systems.
(c) Phytoestrogen consumption in infants, through soy-based formulas, is of particular concern.

Bar-El concludes that the possible adverse effects of phytoestrogens should not be taken lightly.

Soy dramatically lowers testosterone levels

This post includes a summary of a study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention 2007 Apr;16(4):829-33 and a recipe for colorful tuna avocado salad.

Study title and authors:
Clinical and biological activity of soy protein powder supplementation in healthy male volunteers.

Books:

Goodin S, Shen F, Shih WJ, Dave N, Kane MP, Medina P, Lambert GH, Aisner J, Gallo M, DiPaola RS.

Department of Medicine, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey/Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ 08903-2681, USA. goodin@umdnj.edu

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17416779

Goodin investigated the effects of a soy protein supplement on testosterone levels in healthy men aged 25 to 47.

The study revealed:
(a) Testosterone levels decreased 19% during the 4-week use of soy protein powder and increased within 2 weeks after discontinuation of the soy protein powder.
(b) Levels of luteinizing hormone (which stimulates the production of testosterone) decreased during the 4-week use of soy protein powder then increased within 2 weeks after stopping the soy protein powder.

To conclude: Soy dramatically lowers testosterone levels.

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Recipe of the day

Colorful Tuna Avocado Salad

Serves 3

Ingredients:

Food Mall: Solid White Tuna

12 oz. solid white tuna, drained

2 tbsp good olive oil
1 small avocado
juice and zest of 1/2 lemon
1 celery rib
10-12 cherry tomatoes
1/2 small red onion
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

Instructions:
Chop celery and onion into small, uniformly-sized pieces and place into a large bowl. Halve the cherry tomatoes and add them. Then add the drained tuna.

In a separate bowl, add the lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, avocado flesh, salt, and pepper and mix together well. How mushed you make the avocado is up to you. I still like a bit of texture.

Combine the dressing with the tuna and veggies. Mix well. I like to use my (clean) hands for this, it makes it easier to mix them without totally smushing the tuna into paste, so you still get some chunks in there.

Refrigerate or serve immediately.

Tuna Avocado Salad



High intake of soy foods is associated with low sperm concentration

This post includes a synopsis of a study published in Human Reproduction 2008 Nov;23(11):2584-90

Study title and authors:
Soy food and isoflavone intake in relation to semen quality parameters among men from an infertility clinic.
Chavarro JE, Toth TL, Sadio SM, Hauser R.
Department of Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA. jchavarr@hsph.harvard.edu

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18650557

The study examined the association of soy foods and soy isoflavones with sperm concentration. The intake of 15 soy-based foods in the previous 3 months was assessed for 99 male partners of subfertile couples who presented for semen analyses to the Massachusetts General Hospital Fertility Center.

The study found:
(a) Men in the highest category of soy food intake had 41 million sperm/ml less than men who did not consume soy foods.
(b) Results for individual soy isoflavones were similar to the results for soy foods and were strongest for glycitein.

Chavarro concluded: "These data suggest that higher intake of soy foods and soy isoflavones is associated with lower sperm concentration."



Adverse effects of soy on reproductive health

This post includes a summary of a paper published in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice 2008 May;14(2):132-5 and a recipe for scrambled eggs with basil and walnuts.

Study title and authors:
Adverse effects of phytoestrogens on reproductive health: a report of three cases.

Chandrareddy A, Muneyyirci-Delale O, McFarlane SI, Murad OM.

Books:

Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Kings County Hospital Center, 450 Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA.

This paper can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18396257

Abnormal uterine bleeding with diseases of the endometrium in three women were found to be related to a high intake of soy products.

The women's symptoms included;  uterine polyps, benign tumors, painful menstruation, abnormal uterine bleeding, endometriosis and infertility.

All three women improved after withdrawal of soy from their diet.

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Recipe of the day

Scrambled Eggs with Basil and Walnuts

Ingredients:

Food Mall: Eggs

• 3 eggs

• 1/2 c chopped basil
• 1/3 c chopped walnuts
• pepper

Instructions:
Whisk eggs in a bowl then place in a frying pan on medium heat, stirring continuously. When eggs have almost cooked through, add the basil and continue cooking for another minute, or until eggs are cooked through. Pepper to taste. Remove from heat and stir in walnuts before serving.

Scrambled Eggs



Soy's link to birth defects

This post includes a synopsis of a study published in the British Journal of Urology international 2000 Jan;85(1):107-13 and a recipe for mustard, rosemary crusted pork loin.

Study title and authors:
A maternal vegetarian diet in pregnancy is associated with hypospadias. The ALSPAC Study Team. Avon Longitudinal Study of Pregnancy and Childhood.
North K, Golding J.
Unit of Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology, Division of Child Health, University of Bristol, UK.

This paper can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10619956

Books:

Hypospadias is a problem affecting a boy's penis. It is a combination of three separate problems: the hole through which urine passes (meatus) is not at the tip of the penis, the foreskin is gathered at the back of the penis with none at the front and the penis may be bent when stiff.

The objective of the study was to investigate the possible role of the maternal diet, particularly vegetarianism and consumption of phytoestrogens (soy products), in the origin of hypospadias, which is reported to be increasing in prevalence. The study included 7,928 boys.

North found that mothers who were vegetarian in pregnancy had a 4.99-fold increased risk of giving birth to a boy with hypospadias, compared with omnivores.

North concluded: "As vegetarians have a greater exposure to phytoestrogens than do omnivores, these results support the possibility that phytoestrogens (soy) have a deleterious effect on the developing male reproductive system".

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Recipe of the day

Mustard, Rosemary Crusted Pork Loin

Ingredients:

Food Mall: Pork Tenderloin

◦1 pork tenderloin
◦3 T rosemary, minced

◦3 T EACH prepared horseradish, mayo & Dijon mustard
◦1 t black pepper
◦2 sweet potatoes
◦2 tart apples, diced
◦3 T coconut oil, melted
◦1 orange, zested & juiced
◦1 t cinnamon
◦1/2 t nutmeg

Method:
In a small bowl, combine the rosemary, mayo, mustard & horsy– mix until combined. Put 1/2 the sauce in a plastic storage bag and add the pork. Marinate in the fridge until ready to cook. Grill or bake the pork until it’s internal temp is a bit below 165F. Don’t overcook or it will for sure be dry as a bone. Let the loin rest for a couple minutes, then slice and top with the reserved mustard sauce.

For the Sweets & Apples:
In a bowl combine all ingredients and mix well. Transfer to a baking sheet (make sure to add all the juices) and roast until the juices have turned syrupy and the potatoes have cooked through, about 20-30 minutes at 400F.

Soy should not be consumed by infants and children because of it's potential adverse side effects

This post contains a synopsis of a paper published in the Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health 2003 Aug;39(6):401-5 and a recipe for Thai chicken with cauliflower and diced peppers.

Study title and author:
Soy infant formula and phytoestrogens.
Tuohy PG.
Ministry of Health, Wellington, New Zealand. pat_tuohy@moh.govt.nz

This paper can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12919490

Books:

Tuohy notes that soy infant formula contains high levels of the isoflavones, genistein and daidzein, which are commonly referred to as phytoestrogens. These are chemicals similar to estrogen. Infants consuming soy formula have high levels of circulating isoflavones. These are an order of magnitude greater than the levels of isoflavones which have been shown to produce physiological effects in adult women consuming a high soy diet.

There is an increasing number of recent reports that suggest that in experimental animals, phytoestrogens have adverse effects with respect to cancer, reproductive function, immune function, and thyroid disease.

Tuohy concludes that soy should probably not be consumed by infants and children because of it's potential adverse side effects.

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Recipe of the day

Thai Chicken with Cauliflower and Diced Peppers

Ingredient list:

One pound of skinless, boneless chicken thighs

Food Mall: Chicken Thighs

One medium-sized cauliflower

One 13.5 oz can of coconut milk
Two 4-oz cans of mild green chilies
One package of fresh baby spinach
Extra virgin olive oil
Curry powder (red, yellow, or green)
Hokan Fish sauce
Salt

In preparation, perform the following:
Cut chicken into bite-sized cubes, cauliflower into bite-sized florets, and dice chilies into small pieces.

Directions:
Heat 3-4 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat in wok. Add 2-tablespoons of curry powder and stir-fry for one-minute. Add chicken and a good dusting of salt and stir-fry until chicken begins to brown. Add coconut milk, cauliflower, and chilies (with all liquid in cans). Add a heavy splash or three of Fish Sauce. Stir well and bring mix to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and let cook 10-15 minutes until cauliflower becomes tender. Serve over a bed of fresh baby spinach.

Soy's association with cancer and anomalies of the reproductive system

This post includes a synopsis of a paper published in the Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism 2010 Sep;23(9):855-61 and a recipe for beef cube steak with steamed red cabbage.

Study title and authors:
Soy as an endocrine disruptor: cause for caution?

Bar-El DS, Reifen R.

Books:

School of Nutritional Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.

 
This paper can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21175082
 
Bar-El describes how endocrine (hormone) disrupting compounds (EDCs) alter the function of the endocrine system and consequently cause adverse health effects.
 
Phytoestrogens, natural plant compounds abundantly found in soy and soy products, behave as weak estrogen mimics or as antiestrogens. They are considered to be EDCs.
 
Bar-El found that lifetime exposure to estrogenic substances, especially during critical periods of development, has been associated with formation of malignancies and several anomalies of the reproductive systems. Phytoestrogen consumption in infants, through soy-based formulas, is of particular concern.
 
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Recipe of the day

Beef Cube Steak with Steamed Red Cabbage

Serves 2

Ingredients:

2/3 pound of beef cube steak

Food Mall: Cubed Steak

Red cabbage

Yellow mustard
Apple cider vinegar
Garlic powder
Black pepper
Salt

In preparation:
Add water to steamer pot and set over medium heat. Rinse cabbage. Cut head into halves. Chop one half into bite-sized pieces. Save the other half in an air-tight plastic container for another meal. Divide cube steak into two patties and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste on both sides.

Directions:
Add chopped cabbage to the steamer pot. Add a nice dusting of salt and black pepper to the top. Cover and let cook 15-20 minutes, depending upon how soft you like your cabbage. About 10 minutes before the cabbage will be done, heat non-stick grill-pan over medium heat. Lay cube steak patties on grill pan and let sear undisturbed for 4 minutes. Turn with a spatula to sear the other side for 4 minutes. Squirt enough yellow mustard on the top side to spread a thin layer evenly across each patty with a spoon. After the second side has seared, turn the meat again to cook in the mustard. Now back to the cabbage. Splash some apple cider vinegar over the steamed cabbage. Stir well to mix the salt, pepper, and vinegar. Transfer to a plate and eat!

Soy may alter reproductive hormones and may lower sperm formation & fertility

This post includes a synopsis of a paper published in the International Journal of Andrology 2010 Apr;33(2):304-16 and a recipe for Caribbean jerk style steaks.

Study title and authors:
Soy, phyto-oestrogens and male reproductive function: a review.

Books:

Cederroth CR, Auger J, Zimmermann C, Eustache F, Nef S.

Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, University of Geneva Medical School, Geneva, Switzerland.

This paper can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19919579

Cederroth comments that there is growing interest in the possible health threat posed by the effects of hormone disruptors on reproduction. Soy and soy-derived products contain isoflavones that mimic the actions of estrogens and may exert adverse effects on male fertility.

The purpose of Dr. Cederroth's review was to examine the evidence regarding the potential detrimental effects of soy and phyto-oestrogens (estrogen hormone-like chemicals found in plants) on male reproductive function and fertility.

He found there are some indications that soy, alone or in combination with other endocrine disruptors, may alter reproductive hormones and may lower sperm formation and fertility.

He advises phyto-oestrogen exposure, such as that found in infants feeding on soy based formula, should be avoided.

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Recipe of the day

Caribbean Jerk Style Steaks

Ingredients:
4 rib-eye, sirloin or rump steaks

Food Mall: Rib Eye Steaks

For the Jerk marinade:

2 green chillies, deseeded and roughly chopped
2 spring onions, roughly chopped
2 garlic cloves, peeled and roughly chopped
5ml/1tsp ground allspice
15ml/1tbsp fresh thyme leaves
30ml/2tbsp dark rum
2.5ml/½tsp ground cinnamon

Method:
1.Place the marinade ingredients into a food processor or blender and whizz together to form a smooth paste.

2.Spoon the marinade into a shallow dish and coat the steaks on both sides. Cover ands marinate in the refrigerator for up to 1 hour overnight for extra flavour.

3.Cook the steaks according to your preference on a prepared barbecue or preheated grill.