Cinderella's Dark Side Thepropagandathathascreatedthesoysalesmiracleisallthemoreremarkablebecause,onlyafewdecadesago,the soybeanwasconsideredunfittoeat-eveninAsia.DuringtheChouDynasty(1134-246BC)thesoybeanwasdesignatedone of the five sacred grains, along with barley, wheat, millet and rice.However,thepictographforthesoybean,whichdatesfromearliertimes,indicatesthatitwasnotfirstusedasafood;forwhereasthe pictographsfortheotherfourgrainsshowtheseedandstemstructureoftheplant,thepictographforthesoybeanemphasizestheroot structure.Agriculturalliteratureoftheperiodspeaksfrequentlyofthesoybeananditsuseincroprotation.Apparentlythesoyplantwas initially used as a method of fixing nitrogen.Thesoybeandidnotserveasafooduntilthediscoveryoffermentationtechniques,sometimeduringtheChouDynasty.Thefirstsoy foods were fermented products like tempeh, natto, miso and soy sauce.Atalaterdate,possiblyinthe2ndcenturyBC,Chinesescientistsdiscoveredthatapuréeofcookedsoybeanscouldbeprecipitatedwith calciumsulfateormagnesiumsulfate(plasterofParisorEpsomsalts)tomakeasmooth,palecurd-tofuorbeancurd.Theuseof fermented and precipitated soy products soon spread to other parts of the Orient, notably Japan and Indonesia.TheChinesedidnoteatunfermentedsoybeansastheydidotherlegumessuchaslentilsbecausethesoybeancontainslargequantities ofnaturaltoxinsor"antinutrients".Firstamongthemarepotentenzymeinhibitorsthatblocktheactionoftrypsinandotherenzymes needed for protein digestion.Theseinhibitorsarelarge,tightlyfoldedproteinsthatarenotcompletelydeactivatedduringordinarycooking.Theycanproduceserious gastricdistress,reducedproteindigestionandchronicdeficienciesinaminoaciduptake.Intestanimals,dietshighintrypsininhibitors cause enlargement and pathological conditions of the pancreas, including cancer.Soybeans also contain haemagglutinin, a clot-promoting substance that causes red blood cells to clump together.Trypsininhibitorsandhaemagglutininaregrowthinhibitors.Weanlingratsfedsoycontainingtheseantinutrientsfailtogrownormally. Growth-depressantcompoundsaredeactivatedduringtheprocessoffermentation,sooncetheChinesediscoveredhowtofermentthe soybean, they began to incorporate soy foods into their diets.Inprecipitatedproducts,enzymeinhibitorsconcentrateinthesoakingliquidratherthaninthecurd.Thus,intofuandbeancurd,growth depressants are reduced in quantity but not completely eliminated.Soy also contains goitrogens - substances that depress thyroid function.Additionally99%averylargepercentageofsoyisgeneticallymodifiedanditalsohasoneofthehighestpercentagescontaminationby pesticides of any of our foods.Soybeansarehighinphyticacid,presentinthebranorhullsofallseeds.It'sasubstancethatcanblocktheuptakeofessentialminerals- calcium, magnesium, copper, iron and especially zinc - in the intestinal tract.Althoughnotahouseholdword,phyticacidhasbeenextensivelystudied;thereareliterallyhundredsofarticlesontheeffectsofphytic acidinthecurrentscientificliterature.Scientistsareingeneralagreementthatgrain-andlegume-baseddietshighinphytatescontribute to widespread mineral deficiencies in third world countries.Analysisshowsthatcalcium,magnesium,ironandzincarepresentintheplantfoodseatenintheseareas,butthehighphytatecontent of soy- and grain-based diets prevents their absorption.Thesoybeanhasoneofthehighestphytatelevelsofanygrainorlegumethathasbeenstudied,andthephytatesinsoyarehighly resistanttonormalphytate-reducingtechniquessuchaslong,slowcooking.Onlyalongperiodoffermentationwillsignificantlyreduce the phytate content of soybeans.Whenprecipitatedsoyproductsliketofuareconsumedwithmeat,themineral-blockingeffectsofthephytatesarereduced.TheJapanese traditionally eat a small amount of tofu or miso as part of a mineral-rich fish broth, followed by a serving of meat or fish.Vegetarianswhoconsumetofuandbeancurdasasubstituteformeatanddairyproductsriskseveremineraldeficiencies.Theresultsof calcium, magnesium and iron deficiency are well known; those of zinc are less so.Zinciscalledtheintelligencemineralbecauseitisneededforoptimaldevelopmentandfunctioningofthebrainandnervoussystem.It playsaroleinproteinsynthesisandcollagenformation;itisinvolvedintheblood-sugarcontrolmechanismandthusprotectsagainst diabetes; it is needed for a healthy reproductive system.Zincisakeycomponentinnumerousvitalenzymesandplaysaroleintheimmunesystem.Phytatesfoundinsoyproductsinterferewith zincabsorptionmorecompletelythanwithotherminerals.Zincdeficiencycancausea"spacey"feelingthatsomevegetariansmay mistake for the "high" of spiritual enlightenment.Milkdrinkingisgivenasthereasonwhysecond-generationJapaneseinAmericagrowtallerthantheirnativeancestors.Some investigatorspostulatethatthereducedphytatecontentoftheAmericandiet-whatevermaybeitsotherdeficiencies-isthetrue explanation,pointingoutthatbothAsianandWesternchildrenwhodonotgetenoughmeatandfishproductstocounteracttheeffects of a high phytate diet, frequently suffer rickets, stunting and other growth problems.Soy Protein Isolate: Not So Friendly Soyprocessorshaveworkedhardtogettheseantinutrientsoutofthefinishedproduct,particularlysoyproteinisolate(SPI)whichisthe key ingredient in most soy foods that imitate meat and dairy products, including baby formulas and some brands of soy milk.SPIisnotsomethingyoucanmakeinyourownkitchen.Productiontakesplaceinindustrialfactorieswhereaslurryofsoybeansisfirst mixedwithanalkalinesolutiontoremovefiber,thenprecipitatedandseparatedusinganacidwashand,finally,neutralizedinanalkaline solution.Acidwashinginaluminumtanksleacheshighlevelsofaluminumintothefinalproduct.Theresultantcurdsarespray-driedathigh temperaturestoproduceahigh-proteinpowder.Afinalindignitytotheoriginalsoybeanishigh-temperature,high-pressureextrusion processing of soy protein isolate to produce textured vegetable protein (TVP).Muchofthetrypsininhibitorcontentcanberemovedthroughhigh-temperatureprocessing,butnotall.Trypsininhibitorcontentofsoy proteinisolatecanvaryasmuchasfivefold.(Inrats,evenlow-leveltrypsininhibitorSPIfeedingresultsinreducedweightgaincompared to controls)Buthigh-temperatureprocessinghastheunfortunateside-effectofsodenaturingtheotherproteinsinsoythattheyarerenderedlargely ineffective. That's why animals on soy feed need lysine supplements for normal growth.Nitrites,whicharepotentcarcinogens,areformedduringspray-drying,andatoxincalledlysinoalanineisformedduringalkaline processing.Numerousartificialflavorings,particularlyMSG,areaddedtosoyproteinisolateandtexturedvegetableproteinproductsto mask their strong "beany" taste and to impart the flavor of meat.Infeedingexperiments,theuseofSPIincreasedrequirementsforvitaminsE,K,DandB12andcreateddeficiencysymptomsofcalcium, magnesium,manganese,molybdenum,copper,ironandzinc.Phyticacidremaininginthesesoyproductsgreatlyinhibitszincandiron absorption;testanimalsfedSPIdevelopenlargedorgans,particularlythepancreasandthyroidgland,andincreaseddepositionoffatty acids in the liver.Yetsoyproteinisolateandtexturedvegetableproteinareusedextensivelyinschoollunchprograms,commercialbakedgoods,diet beveragesandfastfoodproducts.Theyareheavilypromotedinthirdworldcountriesandformthebasisofmanyfoodgiveaway programs.Inspiteofpoorresultsinanimalfeedingtrials,thesoyindustryhassponsoredanumberofstudiesdesignedtoshowthatsoyprotein products can be used in human diets as a replacement for traditional foods. Anexampleis"NutritionalQualityofSoyBeanProteinIsolates:StudiesinChildrenofPreschoolAge",sponsoredbytheRalstonPurina Company.AgroupofCentralAmericanchildrensufferingfrommalnutritionwasfirststabilizedandbroughtintobetterhealthbyfeeding themnativefoods,includingmeatanddairyproducts.Then,foratwo-weekperiod,thesetraditionalfoodswerereplacedbyadrink made of soy protein isolate and sugar. AllnitrogentakeninandallnitrogenexcretedwasmeasuredintrulyOrwellianfashion:thechildrenwereweighednakedeverymorning, andallexcrementandvomitgatheredupforanalysis.Theresearchersfoundthatthechildrenretainednitrogenandthattheirgrowth was "adequate", so the experiment was declared a success.Whetherthechildrenwereactuallyhealthyonsuchadiet,orcouldremainsooveralongperiod,isanothermatter.Theresearchers notedthatthechildrenvomited"occasionally",usuallyafterfinishingameal;thatoverhalfsufferedfromperiodsofmoderatediarrhea; that some had upper respiratory infections; and that others suffered from rash and fever.Itshouldbenotedthattheresearchersdidnotdaretousesoyproductstohelpthechildrenrecoverfrommalnutrition,andwereobliged to supplement the soy-sugar mixture with nutrients largely absent in soy products - notably, vitamins A, D and B12, iron, iodine and zinc.Marketing The Perfect Food"Justimagineyoucouldgrowtheperfectfood.Thisfoodnotonlywouldprovideaffordablenutrition,butalsowouldbedeliciousand easytoprepareinavarietyofways.Itwouldbeahealthfulfood,withnosaturatedfat.Infact,youwouldbegrowingavirtualfountainof youth on your back forty."TheauthorisDeanHoughton,writingforTheFurrow,amagazinepublishedin12languagesbyJohnDeere."Thisidealfoodwouldhelp prevent,andperhapsreverse,someoftheworld'smostdreadeddiseases.Youcouldgrowthismiraclecropinavarietyofsoilsand climates. Its cultivation would build up, not deplete, the land...this miracle food already exists... It's called soy."Justimagine.Farmershavebeenimagining-andplantingmoresoy.Whatwasonceaminorcrop,listedinthe1913USDepartmentof Agriculture(USDA)handbooknotasafoodbutasanindustrialproduct,nowcovers72millionacresofAmericanfarmland.Muchofthis harvestwillbeusedtofeedchickens,turkeys,pigs,cowsandsalmon.Anotherlargefractionwillbesqueezedtoproduceoilfor margarine, shortenings and salad dressings.Advancesintechnologymakeitpossibletoproduceisolatedsoyproteinfromwhatwasonceconsideredawasteproduct-thedefatted, high-proteinsoychips-andthentransformsomethingthatlooksandsmellsterribleintoproductsthatcanbeconsumedbyhuman beings.Flavorings,preservatives,sweeteners,emulsifiersandsyntheticnutrientshaveturnedsoyproteinisolate,thefoodprocessors' ugly duckling, into a New Age Cinderella.Thenewfairy-talefoodhasbeenmarketednotsomuchforherbeautybutforhervirtues.Earlyon,productsbasedonsoyprotein isolateweresoldasextendersandmeatsubstitutes-astrategythatfailedtoproducetherequisiteconsumerdemand.Theindustry changed its approach. "Thequickestwaytogainproductacceptabilityinthelessaffluentsociety,"saidanindustryspokesman,"istohavetheproduct consumedonitsownmeritinamoreaffluentsociety."Sosoyisnowsoldtotheupscaleconsumer,notasacheap,povertyfoodbutasa miracle substance that will prevent heart disease and cancer, whisk away hot flushes, build strong bones and keep us forever young. Thecompetition-meat,milk,cheese,butterandeggs-hasbeendulydemonisedbytheappropriategovernmentbodies.Soyservesas meat and milk for a new generation of virtuous vegetarians. Marketing Costs MoneyThisisespeciallywhenitneedstobebolsteredwith"research",butthere'splentyoffundsavailable.Allsoybeanproducerspaya mandatoryassessmentofone-halftoonepercentofthenetmarketpriceofsoybeans.Thetotal-somethinglikeUS$80million annually4-supportsUnitedSoybean'sprogramto"strengthenthepositionofsoybeansinthemarketplaceandmaintainandexpand domestic and foreign markets for uses for soybeans and soybean products". Soy And Cancer ThenewFDArulingdoesnotallowanyclaimsaboutcancerpreventiononfoodpackages,butthathasnotrestrainedtheindustryandits marketers from making them in their promotional literature. "Inadditiontoprotectingtheheart,"saysavitamincompanybrochure,"soyhasdemonstratedpowerfulanticancerbenefits...the Japanese, who eat 30 times as much soy as North Americans, have a lower incidence of cancers of the breast, uterus and prostate."Indeedtheydo.ButtheJapanese,andAsiansingeneral,havemuchhigherratesofothertypesofcancer,particularlycancerofthe esophagus,stomach,pancreasandliver.Asiansthroughouttheworldalsohavehighratesofthyroidcancer.Thelogicthatlinkslowrates ofreproductivecancerstosoyconsumptionrequiresattributionofhighratesofthyroidanddigestivecancerstothesamefoods, particularly as soy causes these types of cancers in laboratory rats.JusthowmuchsoydoAsianseat?A1998surveyfoundthattheaveragedailyamountofsoyproteinconsumedinJapanwasabouteight gramsformenandsevenforwomen-lessthantwoteaspoons.ThefamousCornellChinaStudy,conductedbyColinT.Campbell,found that legume consumption in China varied from 0 to 58 grams per day, with a mean of about twelve.Assumingthattwo-thirdsoflegumeconsumptionissoy,thenthemaximumconsumptionisabout40grams,orlessthanthree tablespoonsperday,withanaverageconsumptionofaboutninegrams,orlessthantwoteaspoons.Asurveyconductedinthe1930s foundthatsoyfoodsaccountedforonly1.5percentofcaloriesintheChinesediet,comparedwith65percentofcaloriesfrompork. (Asians traditionally cooked with lard, not vegetable oil!)Traditionallyfermentedsoyproductsmakeadelicious,naturalseasoningthatmaysupplyimportantnutritionalfactorsintheAsiandiet. Butexceptintimesoffamine,Asiansconsumesoyproductsonlyinsmallamounts,ascondiments,andnotasareplacementforanimal foods-withoneexception.Celibatemonkslivinginmonasteriesandleadingavegetarianlifestylefindsoyfoodsquitehelpfulbecause they dampen libido.Itwasa1994meta-analysisbyMarkMessina,publishedinNutritionandCancer,thatfuelledspeculationonsoy'santicarcinogenic properties.Messinanotedthatin26animalstudies,65percentreportedprotectiveeffectsfromsoy.Heconvenientlyneglectedto includeatleastonestudyinwhichsoyfeedingcausedpancreaticcancer-the1985studybyRackis.Inthehumanstudieshelisted,the results were mixed.Afewshowedsomeprotectiveeffect,butmostshowednocorrelationatallbetweensoyconsumptionandcancerrates.Heconcluded that"thedatainthisreviewcannotbeusedasabasisforclaimingthatsoyintakedecreasescancerrisk".Yetinhissubsequentbook,The SimpleSoybeanandYourHealth,Messinamakesjustsuchaclaim,recommendingonecupor230gramsofsoyproductsperdayinhis "optimal" diet as a way to prevent cancer.Thousandsofwomenarenowconsumingsoyinthebeliefthatitprotectsthemagainstbreastcancer.Yet,in1996,researchersfound thatwomenconsumingsoyproteinisolatehadanincreasedincidenceofepithelialhyperplasia,aconditionthatpresagesmalignancies.A yearlater,dietarygenisteinwasfoundtostimulatebreastcellstoenterthecellcycle-adiscoverythatledthestudyauthorstoconclude that women should not consume soy products to prevent breast cancer.Phytoestrogens: Panacea Or Poison? Themalespeciesoftropicalbirdscarriesthedrabplumageofthefemaleatbirthand'colorsup'atmaturity,somewherebetweennine and 24 months.In1991,RichardandValerieJames,birdbreedersinWhangerai,NewZealand,purchasedanewkindoffeedfortheirbirds-onebased largelyonsoyprotein.Whensoy-basedfeedwasused,theirbirds'coloredup'afterjustafewmonths.Infact,onebird-food manufacturer claimed that this early development was an advantage imparted by the feed.A1992adforRoudybushfeedformulashowedapictureofthemalecrimsonrosella,anAustralianparrotthatacquiresbeautifulred plumage at 18 to 24 months, already brightly colored at 11 weeks old.Unfortunately,intheensuingyears,therewasdecreasedfertilityinthebirds,withprecociousmaturation,deformed,stuntedand stillbornbabies,andprematuredeaths,especiallyamongfemales,withtheresultthatthetotalpopulationintheaviarieswentinto steady decline. Thebirdssufferedbeakandbonedeformities,goiter,immunesystemdisordersandpathological,aggressivebehavior.Autopsyrevealed digestiveorgansinastateofdisintegration.ThelistofproblemscorrespondedwithmanyoftheproblemstheJameseshadencountered in their two children, who had been fed soy-based infant formula.Startled,aghast,angry,theJameseshiredtoxicologistMikeFitzpatrick.PhD,toinvestigatefurther.DrFitzpatrick'sliteraturereview uncoveredevidencethatsoyconsumptionhasbeenlinkedtonumerousdisorders,includinginfertility,increasedcancerandinfantile leukemia; and, in studies dating back to the 1950s, that genistein in soy causes endocrine disruption in animals.DrFitzpatrickalsoanalyzedthebirdfeedandfoundthatitcontainedhighlevelsofphytoestrogens,especiallygenistein.Whenthe Jameses discontinued using soy-based feed, the flock gradually returned to normal breeding habits and behavior.TheJamesesembarkedonaprivatecrusadetowarnthepublicandgovernmentofficialsabouttoxinsinsoyfoods,particularlythe endocrine-disrupting isoflavones, genistein and diadzen. Protein Technology International received their material in 1994.In1991,Japaneseresearchersreportedthatconsumptionofaslittleas30gramsortwotablespoonsofsoybeansperdayforonlyone monthresultedinasignificantincreaseinthyroid-stimulatinghormone.Diffusegoiterandhypothyroidismappearedinsomeofthe subjects and many complained of constipation, fatigue and lethargy, even though their intake of iodine was adequate.In1997,researchersfromtheFDA'sNationalCenterforToxicologicalResearchmadetheembarrassingdiscoverythatthegoitrogenic components of soy were the very same isoflavones.Twenty-fivegramsofsoyproteinisolate,theminimumamountPTIclaimedtohavecholesterol-loweringeffects,containsfrom50to70 mgofisoflavones.Ittookonly45mgofisoflavonesinpremenopausalwomentoexertsignificantbiologicaleffects,includingareduction in hormones needed for adequate thyroid function. These effects lingered for three months after soy consumption was discontinued.Onehundredgramsofsoyprotein-themaximumsuggestedcholesterol-loweringdose,andtheamountrecommendedbyProtein TechnologiesInternational-cancontainalmost600mgofisoflavones,anamountthatisundeniablytoxic.In1992,theSwisshealth service estimated that 100 grams of soy protein provided the estrogenic equivalent of the Pill.Invitrostudiessuggestthatisoflavonesinhibitsynthesisofestradiolandothersteroidhormones.Reproductiveproblems,infertility, thyroiddiseaseandliverdiseaseduetodietaryintakeofisoflavoneshavebeenobservedforseveralspeciesofanimalsincludingmice, cheetah, quail, pigs, rats, sturgeon and sheep. Itistheisoflavonesinsoythataresaidtohaveafavorableeffectonpostmenopausalsymptoms,includinghotflushes,andprotection fromosteoporosis.Quantificationofdiscomfortfromhotflushesisextremelysubjective,andmoststudiesshowthatcontrolsubjects reportreductionindiscomfortinamountsequaltosubjectsgivensoy.Theclaimthatsoypreventsosteoporosisisextraordinary,given that soy foods block calcium and cause vitamin D deficiencies.IfAsiansindeedhavelowerratesofosteoporosisthanWesterners,itisbecausetheirdietprovidesplentyofvitaminDfromshrimp,lard andseafood,andplentyofcalciumfrombonebroths.ThereasonthatWesternershavesuchhighratesofosteoporosisisbecausethey havesubstitutedsoyoilforbutter,whichisatraditionalsourceofvitaminDandotherfat-solubleactivatorsneededforcalcium absorption.Birth Control Pills For BabiesButitwastheisoflavonesininfantformulathatgavetheJamesesthemostcauseforconcern.In1998,investigatorsreportedthatthe dailyexposureofinfantstoisoflavonesinsoyinfantformulais6to11timeshigheronabody-weightbasisthanthedosethathas hormonaleffectsinadultsconsumingsoyfoods.Circulatingconcentrationsofisoflavonesininfantsfedsoy-basedformulawere13,000 to 22,000 times higher than plasma estradiol concentrations in infants on cow's milk formula.Approximately25percentofbottle-fedchildrenintheUSreceivesoy-basedformula-amuchhigherpercentagethaninotherpartsof theWesternworld.Fitzpatrickestimatedthataninfantexclusivelyfedsoyformulareceivestheestrogenicequivalent(basedonbody weight)ofatleastfivebirthcontrolpillsperday.Bycontrast,almostnophytoestrogenshavebeendetectedindairy-basedinfantformula or in human milk, even when the mother consumes soy products. Scientistshaveknownforyearsthatsoy-basedformulacancausethyroidproblemsinbabies.Butwhataretheeffectsofsoyproductson the hormonal development of the infant, both male and female?Maleinfantsundergoa"testosteronesurge"duringthefirstfewmonthsoflife,whentestosteronelevelsmaybeashighasthoseofan adultmale.Duringthisperiod,theinfantisprogrammedtoexpressmalecharacteristicsafterpuberty,notonlyinthedevelopmentofhis sexual organs and other masculine physical traits, but also in setting patterns in the brain characteristic of male behavior.Inmonkeys,deficiencyofmalehormonesimpairsthedevelopmentofspatialperception(which,inhumans,isnormallymoreacutein menthaninwomen),oflearningabilityandofvisualdiscriminationtasks(suchaswouldberequiredforreading).Itgoeswithoutsaying that future patterns of sexual orientation may also be influenced by the early hormonal environment. Malechildrenexposedduringgestationtodiethylstilbestrol(DES),asyntheticestrogenthathaseffectsonanimalssimilartothoseof phytoestrogens from soy, had testes smaller than normal on manturation.Learningdisabilities,especiallyinmalechildren,havereachedepidemicproportions.Soyinfantfeeding-whichbeganinearnestinthe early 1970s - cannot be ignored as a probable cause for these tragic developments.Asforgirls,analarmingnumberareenteringpubertymuchearlierthannormal,accordingtoarecentstudyreportedinthejournal Pediatrics.Investigatorsfoundthatonepercentofallgirlsnowshowsignsofpuberty,suchasbreastdevelopmentorpubichair,before theageofthree;byageeight,14.7percentofwhitegirlsandalmost50percentofAfrican-Americangirlshaveoneorbothofthese characteristics.NewdataindicatethatenvironmentalestrogenssuchasPCBsandDDE(abreakdownproductofDDT)maycauseearlysexual developmentingirls.Inthe1986PuertoRicoPrematureThelarchestudy,themostsignificantdietaryassociationwithprematuresexual development was not chicken - as reported in the press - but soy infant formula.Theconsequencesofthistruncatedchildhoodaretragic.Younggirlswithmaturebodiesmustcopewithfeelingsandurgesthatmost childrenarenotwell-equippedtohandle.Andearlymaturationingirlsisfrequentlyaharbingerforproblemswiththereproductive system later in life, including failure to menstruate, infertility and breast cancer.ParentswhohavecontactedtheJamesesrecountotherproblemsassociatedwithchildrenofbothsexeswhowerefedsoy-based formula,includingextremeemotionalbehavior,asthma,immunesystemproblems,pituitaryinsufficiency,thyroiddisordersandirritable bowel syndrome - the same endocrine and digestive havoc that afflicted the Jameses' parrots.Dissension In The RanksOrganizersoftheThirdInternationalSoySymposiumwouldbehard-pressedtocalltheconferenceanunqualifiedsuccess.Onthe seconddayofthesymposium,theLondon-basedFoodCommissionandtheWestonA.PriceFoundationofWashington,DC,heldajoint press conference, in the same hotel as the symposium, to present concerns about soy infant formula.Industryrepresentativessatstony-facedthroughtherecitationofpotentialdangersandapleafromconcernedscientistsandparentsto pullsoy-basedinfantformulafromthemarket.UnderpressurefromtheJameses,theNewZealandGovernmenthadissuedahealth warning about soy infant formula in 1998; it was time for the American government to do the same.Onthelastdayofthesymposium,presentationsonnewfindingsrelatedtotoxicitysentawell-oxygenatedchillthroughthegiddyhelium hype.DrLonWhitereportedonastudyofJapaneseAmericanslivinginHawaii,thatshowedasignificantstatisticalrelationshipbetween two or more servings of tofu a week and "accelerated brain aging".Thoseparticipantswhoconsumedtofuinmid-lifehadlowercognitivefunctioninlatelifeandagreaterincidenceofAlzheimer'sdisease anddementia."What'smore,"saidDrWhite,"thosewhoatealotoftofu,bythetimetheywere75or80lookedfiveyearsolder".White andhiscolleaguesblamedthenegativeeffectsonisoflavones-afindingthatsupportsanearlierstudyinwhichpostmenopausalwomen with higher levels of circulating estrogen experienced greater cognitive decline.ScientistsDanielSheehanandDanielDoerge,fromtheNationalCenterforToxicologicalResearch,ruinedPTI'sdaybypresentingfindings from rat feeding studies, indicating that genistein in soy foods causes irreversible damage to enzymes that synthesise thyroid hormones."Theassociationbetweensoybeanconsumptionandgoiterinanimalsandhumanshasalonghistory,"wroteDrDoerge."Current evidence for the beneficial effects of soy requires a full understanding of potential adverse effects as well."DrClaudeHughesreportedthatratsborntomothersthatwerefedgenisteinhaddecreasedbirthweightscomparedtocontrols,and onsetofpubertyoccurredearlierinmaleoffspring.Hisresearchsuggestedthattheeffectsobservedinrats"...willbeatleastsomewhat predictive of what occurs in humans.Thereisnoreasontoassumethattherewillbegrossmalformationsoffetusesbuttheremaybesubtlechanges,suchas neurobehavioralattributes,immunefunctionandsexhormonelevels."Theresults,hesaid,"couldbenothingorcouldbesomethingof greatconcern...ifmomiseatingsomethingthatcanactlikesexhormones,itislogicaltowonderifthatcouldchangethebaby's development".Astudyofbabiesborntovegetarianmothers,publishedinJanuary2000,indicatedjustwhatthosechangesinbaby'sdevelopmentmight be.Motherswhoateavegetariandietduringpregnancyhadafivefoldgreaterriskofdeliveringaboywithhypospadias,abirthdefectof thepenis.Theauthorsofthestudysuggestedthatthecausewasgreaterexposuretophytoestrogensinsoyfoodspopularwith vegetarians.Problemswithfemaleoffspringofvegetarianmothersaremorelikelytoshowuplaterinlife.Whilesoy'sestrogeniceffectislessthan thatofdiethylstilbestrol(DES),thedoseislikelytobehigherbecauseit'sconsumedasafood,nottakenasadrug.Daughtersofwomen who took DES during pregnancy suffered from infertility and cancer when they reached their twenties.If you would like additional information regarding our services or to request an appointment, you can contact us by phone (952 80 53 68) or by email.
Cinderella's Dark Side Thepropagandathathascreatedthesoysalesmiracleis allthemoreremarkablebecause,onlyafewdecades ago,thesoybeanwasconsideredunfittoeat-evenin Asia.DuringtheChouDynasty(1134-246BC)thesoybeanwas designatedoneofthefivesacredgrains,alongwithbarley,wheat, millet and rice.However,thepictographforthesoybean,whichdatesfromearlier times,indicatesthatitwasnotfirstusedasafood;forwhereasthe pictographsfortheotherfourgrainsshowtheseedandstem structureoftheplant,thepictographforthesoybeanemphasizes therootstructure.Agriculturalliteratureoftheperiodspeaks frequentlyofthesoybeananditsuseincroprotation.Apparently the soy plant was initially used as a method of fixing nitrogen.Thesoybeandidnotserveasafooduntilthediscoveryof fermentationtechniques,sometimeduringtheChouDynasty.The firstsoyfoodswerefermentedproductsliketempeh,natto,miso and soy sauce.Atalaterdate,possiblyinthe2ndcenturyBC,Chinesescientists discoveredthatapuréeofcookedsoybeanscouldbeprecipitated withcalciumsulfateormagnesiumsulfate(plasterofParisor Epsomsalts)tomakeasmooth,palecurd-tofuorbeancurd.The useoffermentedandprecipitatedsoyproductssoonspreadto other parts of the Orient, notably Japan and Indonesia.TheChinesedidnoteatunfermentedsoybeansastheydidother legumessuchaslentilsbecausethesoybeancontainslarge quantitiesofnaturaltoxinsor"antinutrients".Firstamongthemare potentenzymeinhibitorsthatblocktheactionoftrypsinandother enzymes needed for protein digestion.Theseinhibitorsarelarge,tightlyfoldedproteinsthatarenot completelydeactivatedduringordinarycooking.Theycanproduce seriousgastricdistress,reducedproteindigestionandchronic deficienciesinaminoaciduptake.Intestanimals,dietshighin trypsininhibitorscauseenlargementandpathologicalconditionsof the pancreas, including cancer.Soybeansalsocontainhaemagglutinin,aclot-promotingsubstance that causes red blood cells to clump together.Trypsininhibitorsandhaemagglutininaregrowthinhibitors. Weanlingratsfedsoycontainingtheseantinutrientsfailtogrow normally.Growth-depressantcompoundsaredeactivatedduring theprocessoffermentation,sooncetheChinesediscoveredhowto fermentthesoybean,theybegantoincorporatesoyfoodsintotheir diets.Inprecipitatedproducts,enzymeinhibitorsconcentrateinthe soakingliquidratherthaninthecurd.Thus,intofuandbeancurd, growthdepressantsarereducedinquantitybutnotcompletely eliminated.Soyalsocontainsgoitrogens-substancesthatdepress thyroid function.Additionally99%averylargepercentageofsoyisgenetically modifiedanditalsohasoneofthehighestpercentages contamination by pesticides of any of our foods.Soybeansarehighinphyticacid,presentinthebranorhullsofall seeds.It'sasubstancethatcanblocktheuptakeofessential minerals-calcium,magnesium,copper,ironandespeciallyzinc-in the intestinal tract.Althoughnotahouseholdword,phyticacidhasbeenextensively studied;thereareliterallyhundredsofarticlesontheeffectsof phyticacidinthecurrentscientificliterature.Scientistsarein generalagreementthatgrain-andlegume-baseddietshighin phytatescontributetowidespreadmineraldeficienciesinthird world countries.Analysisshowsthatcalcium,magnesium,ironandzincarepresent intheplantfoodseatenintheseareas,butthehighphytatecontent of soy- and grain-based diets prevents their absorption.Thesoybeanhasoneofthehighestphytatelevelsofanygrainor legumethathasbeenstudied,andthephytatesinsoyarehighly resistanttonormalphytate-reducingtechniquessuchaslong,slow cooking.Onlyalongperiodoffermentationwillsignificantlyreduce the phytate content of soybeans.Whenprecipitatedsoyproductsliketofuareconsumedwithmeat, themineral-blockingeffectsofthephytatesarereduced.The Japanesetraditionallyeatasmallamountoftofuormisoaspartof a mineral-rich fish broth, followed by a serving of meat or fish.Vegetarianswhoconsumetofuandbeancurdasasubstitutefor meatanddairyproductsriskseveremineraldeficiencies.The resultsofcalcium,magnesiumandirondeficiencyarewellknown; those of zinc are less so.Zinciscalledtheintelligencemineralbecauseitisneededfor optimaldevelopmentandfunctioningofthebrainandnervous system.Itplaysaroleinproteinsynthesisandcollagenformation;it isinvolvedintheblood-sugarcontrolmechanismandthusprotects against diabetes; it is needed for a healthy reproductive system.Zincisakeycomponentinnumerousvitalenzymesandplaysarole intheimmunesystem.Phytatesfoundinsoyproductsinterfere withzincabsorptionmorecompletelythanwithotherminerals. Zincdeficiencycancausea"spacey"feelingthatsomevegetarians may mistake for the "high" of spiritual enlightenment.Milkdrinkingisgivenasthereasonwhysecond-generation JapaneseinAmericagrowtallerthantheirnativeancestors.Some investigatorspostulatethatthereducedphytatecontentofthe Americandiet-whatevermaybeitsotherdeficiencies-isthetrue explanation,pointingoutthatbothAsianandWesternchildrenwho donotgetenoughmeatandfishproductstocounteracttheeffects ofahighphytatediet,frequentlysufferrickets,stuntingandother growth problems.Soy Protein Isolate: Not So Friendly Soyprocessorshaveworkedhardtogettheseantinutrientsoutof thefinishedproduct,particularlysoyproteinisolate(SPI)whichis thekeyingredientinmostsoyfoodsthatimitatemeatanddairy products, including baby formulas and some brands of soy milk.SPIisnotsomethingyoucanmakeinyourownkitchen.Production takesplaceinindustrialfactorieswhereaslurryofsoybeansisfirst mixedwithanalkalinesolutiontoremovefiber,thenprecipitated andseparatedusinganacidwashand,finally,neutralizedinan alkaline solution.Acidwashinginaluminumtanksleacheshighlevelsofaluminum intothefinalproduct.Theresultantcurdsarespray-driedathigh temperaturestoproduceahigh-proteinpowder.Afinalindignityto theoriginalsoybeanishigh-temperature,high-pressureextrusion processingofsoyproteinisolatetoproducetexturedvegetable protein (TVP).Muchofthetrypsininhibitorcontentcanberemovedthroughhigh-temperatureprocessing,butnotall.Trypsininhibitorcontentofsoy proteinisolatecanvaryasmuchasfivefold.(Inrats,evenlow-level trypsininhibitorSPIfeedingresultsinreducedweightgain compared to controls)Buthigh-temperatureprocessinghastheunfortunateside-effectof sodenaturingtheotherproteinsinsoythattheyarerendered largelyineffective.That'swhyanimalsonsoyfeedneedlysine supplements for normal growth.Nitrites,whicharepotentcarcinogens,areformedduringspray-drying,andatoxincalledlysinoalanineisformedduringalkaline processing.Numerousartificialflavorings,particularlyMSG,are addedtosoyproteinisolateandtexturedvegetableprotein productstomasktheirstrong"beany"tasteandtoimparttheflavor of meat.Infeedingexperiments,theuseofSPIincreasedrequirementsfor vitaminsE,K,DandB12andcreateddeficiencysymptomsof calcium,magnesium,manganese,molybdenum,copper,ironand zinc.Phyticacidremaininginthesesoyproductsgreatlyinhibitszinc andironabsorption;testanimalsfedSPIdevelopenlargedorgans, particularlythepancreasandthyroidgland,andincreased deposition of fatty acids in the liver.Yetsoyproteinisolateandtexturedvegetableproteinareused extensivelyinschoollunchprograms,commercialbakedgoods,diet beveragesandfastfoodproducts.Theyareheavilypromotedin thirdworldcountriesandformthebasisofmanyfoodgiveaway programs.Inspiteofpoorresultsinanimalfeedingtrials,thesoyindustryhas sponsoredanumberofstudiesdesignedtoshowthatsoyprotein productscanbeusedinhumandietsasareplacementfor traditional foods. Anexampleis"NutritionalQualityofSoyBeanProteinIsolates: StudiesinChildrenofPreschoolAge",sponsoredbytheRalston PurinaCompany.AgroupofCentralAmericanchildrensuffering frommalnutritionwasfirststabilizedandbroughtintobetterhealth byfeedingthemnativefoods,includingmeatanddairyproducts. Then,foratwo-weekperiod,thesetraditionalfoodswerereplaced by a drink made of soy protein isolate and sugar. Allnitrogentakeninandallnitrogenexcretedwasmeasuredintruly Orwellianfashion:thechildrenwereweighednakedeverymorning, andallexcrementandvomitgatheredupforanalysis.The researchersfoundthatthechildrenretainednitrogenandthattheir growth was "adequate", so the experiment was declared a success.Whetherthechildrenwereactuallyhealthyonsuchadiet,orcould remainsooveralongperiod,isanothermatter.Theresearchers notedthatthechildrenvomited"occasionally",usuallyafter finishingameal;thatoverhalfsufferedfromperiodsofmoderate diarrhea;thatsomehadupperrespiratoryinfections;andthat others suffered from rash and fever.Itshouldbenotedthattheresearchersdidnotdaretousesoy productstohelpthechildrenrecoverfrommalnutrition,andwere obligedtosupplementthesoy-sugarmixturewithnutrientslargely absentinsoyproducts-notably,vitaminsA,DandB12,iron,iodine and zinc.Marketing The Perfect Food"Justimagineyoucouldgrowtheperfectfood.Thisfoodnotonly wouldprovideaffordablenutrition,butalsowouldbedeliciousand easytoprepareinavarietyofways.Itwouldbeahealthfulfood, withnosaturatedfat.Infact,youwouldbegrowingavirtual fountain of youth on your back forty."TheauthorisDeanHoughton,writingforTheFurrow,amagazine publishedin12languagesbyJohnDeere."Thisidealfoodwould helpprevent,andperhapsreverse,someoftheworld'smost dreadeddiseases.Youcouldgrowthismiraclecropinavarietyof soilsandclimates.Itscultivationwouldbuildup,notdeplete,the land...this miracle food already exists... It's called soy."Justimagine.Farmershavebeenimagining-andplantingmoresoy. Whatwasonceaminorcrop,listedinthe1913USDepartmentof Agriculture(USDA)handbooknotasafoodbutasanindustrial product,nowcovers72millionacresofAmericanfarmland.Muchof thisharvestwillbeusedtofeedchickens,turkeys,pigs,cowsand salmon.Anotherlargefractionwillbesqueezedtoproduceoilfor margarine, shortenings and salad dressings.Advancesintechnologymakeitpossibletoproduceisolatedsoy proteinfromwhatwasonceconsideredawasteproduct-the defatted,high-proteinsoychips-andthentransformsomething thatlooksandsmellsterribleintoproductsthatcanbeconsumed byhumanbeings.Flavorings,preservatives,sweeteners,emulsifiers andsyntheticnutrientshaveturnedsoyproteinisolate,thefood processors' ugly duckling, into a New Age Cinderella.Thenewfairy-talefoodhasbeenmarketednotsomuchforher beautybutforhervirtues.Earlyon,productsbasedonsoyprotein isolateweresoldasextendersandmeatsubstitutes-astrategythat failedtoproducetherequisiteconsumerdemand.Theindustry changed its approach. "Thequickestwaytogainproductacceptabilityinthelessaffluent society,"saidanindustryspokesman,"istohavetheproduct consumedonitsownmeritinamoreaffluentsociety."Sosoyisnow soldtotheupscaleconsumer,notasacheap,povertyfoodbutasa miraclesubstancethatwillpreventheartdiseaseandcancer,whisk away hot flushes, build strong bones and keep us forever young. Thecompetition-meat,milk,cheese,butterandeggs-hasbeen dulydemonisedbytheappropriategovernmentbodies.Soyserves as meat and milk for a new generation of virtuous vegetarians. Marketing Costs MoneyThisisespeciallywhenitneedstobebolsteredwith"research",but there'splentyoffundsavailable.Allsoybeanproducerspaya mandatoryassessmentofone-halftoonepercentofthenet marketpriceofsoybeans.Thetotal-somethinglikeUS$80million annually4-supportsUnitedSoybean'sprogramto"strengthenthe positionofsoybeansinthemarketplaceandmaintainandexpand domesticandforeignmarketsforusesforsoybeansandsoybean products". Soy And Cancer ThenewFDArulingdoesnotallowanyclaimsaboutcancer preventiononfoodpackages,butthathasnotrestrainedthe industryanditsmarketersfrommakingthemintheirpromotional literature. "Inadditiontoprotectingtheheart,"saysavitamincompany brochure,"soyhasdemonstratedpowerfulanticancerbenefits...the Japanese,whoeat30timesasmuchsoyasNorthAmericans,havea lower incidence of cancers of the breast, uterus and prostate."Indeedtheydo.ButtheJapanese,andAsiansingeneral,have muchhigherratesofothertypesofcancer,particularlycancerof theesophagus,stomach,pancreasandliver.Asiansthroughoutthe worldalsohavehighratesofthyroidcancer.Thelogicthatlinkslow ratesofreproductivecancerstosoyconsumptionrequires attributionofhighratesofthyroidanddigestivecancerstothe samefoods,particularlyassoycausesthesetypesofcancersin laboratory rats.JusthowmuchsoydoAsianseat?A1998surveyfoundthatthe averagedailyamountofsoyproteinconsumedinJapanwasabout eightgramsformenandsevenforwomen-lessthantwo teaspoons.ThefamousCornellChinaStudy,conductedbyColinT. Campbell,foundthatlegumeconsumptioninChinavariedfrom0 to 58 grams per day, with a mean of about twelve.Assumingthattwo-thirdsoflegumeconsumptionissoy,thenthe maximumconsumptionisabout40grams,orlessthanthree tablespoonsperday,withanaverageconsumptionofaboutnine grams,orlessthantwoteaspoons.Asurveyconductedinthe1930s foundthatsoyfoodsaccountedforonly1.5percentofcaloriesin theChinesediet,comparedwith65percentofcaloriesfrompork. (Asians traditionally cooked with lard, not vegetable oil!)Traditionallyfermentedsoyproductsmakeadelicious,natural seasoningthatmaysupplyimportantnutritionalfactorsintheAsian diet.Butexceptintimesoffamine,Asiansconsumesoyproducts onlyinsmallamounts,ascondiments,andnotasareplacementfor animalfoods-withoneexception.Celibatemonkslivingin monasteriesandleadingavegetarianlifestylefindsoyfoodsquite helpful because they dampen libido.Itwasa1994meta-analysisbyMarkMessina,publishedinNutrition andCancer,thatfuelledspeculationonsoy'santicarcinogenic properties.Messinanotedthatin26animalstudies,65percent reportedprotectiveeffectsfromsoy.Heconvenientlyneglectedto includeatleastonestudyinwhichsoyfeedingcausedpancreatic cancer-the1985studybyRackis.Inthehumanstudieshelisted, the results were mixed.Afewshowedsomeprotectiveeffect,butmostshowedno correlationatallbetweensoyconsumptionandcancerrates.He concludedthat"thedatainthisreviewcannotbeusedasabasisfor claimingthatsoyintakedecreasescancerrisk".Yetinhis subsequentbook,TheSimpleSoybeanandYourHealth,Messina makesjustsuchaclaim,recommendingonecupor230gramsof soyproductsperdayinhis"optimal"dietasawaytoprevent cancer.Thousandsofwomenarenowconsumingsoyinthebeliefthatit protectsthemagainstbreastcancer.Yet,in1996,researchersfound thatwomenconsumingsoyproteinisolatehadanincreased incidenceofepithelialhyperplasia,aconditionthatpresages malignancies.Ayearlater,dietarygenisteinwasfoundtostimulate breastcellstoenterthecellcycle-adiscoverythatledthestudy authorstoconcludethatwomenshouldnotconsumesoyproducts to prevent breast cancer.Phytoestrogens: Panacea Or Poison? Themalespeciesoftropicalbirdscarriesthedrabplumageofthe femaleatbirthand'colorsup'atmaturity,somewherebetween nine and 24 months.In1991,RichardandValerieJames,birdbreedersinWhangerai, NewZealand,purchasedanewkindoffeedfortheirbirds-one basedlargelyonsoyprotein.Whensoy-basedfeedwasused,their birds'coloredup'afterjustafewmonths.Infact,onebird-food manufacturerclaimedthatthisearlydevelopmentwasan advantage imparted by the feed.A1992adforRoudybushfeedformulashowedapictureofthe malecrimsonrosella,anAustralianparrotthatacquiresbeautiful redplumageat18to24months,alreadybrightlycoloredat11 weeks old.Unfortunately,intheensuingyears,therewasdecreasedfertilityin thebirds,withprecociousmaturation,deformed,stuntedand stillbornbabies,andprematuredeaths,especiallyamongfemales, withtheresultthatthetotalpopulationintheaviarieswentinto steady decline. Thebirdssufferedbeakandbonedeformities,goiter,immune systemdisordersandpathological,aggressivebehavior.Autopsy revealeddigestiveorgansinastateofdisintegration.Thelistof problemscorrespondedwithmanyoftheproblemstheJameses hadencounteredintheirtwochildren,whohadbeenfedsoy-based infant formula.Startled,aghast,angry,theJameseshiredtoxicologistMike Fitzpatrick.PhD,toinvestigatefurther.DrFitzpatrick'sliterature reviewuncoveredevidencethatsoyconsumptionhasbeenlinked tonumerousdisorders,includinginfertility,increasedcancerand infantileleukemia;and,instudiesdatingbacktothe1950s,that genistein in soy causes endocrine disruption in animals.DrFitzpatrickalsoanalyzedthebirdfeedandfoundthatit containedhighlevelsofphytoestrogens,especiallygenistein.When theJamesesdiscontinuedusingsoy-basedfeed,theflockgradually returned to normal breeding habits and behavior.TheJamesesembarkedonaprivatecrusadetowarnthepublicand governmentofficialsabouttoxinsinsoyfoods,particularlythe endocrine-disruptingisoflavones,genisteinanddiadzen.Protein Technology International received their material in 1994.In1991,Japaneseresearchersreportedthatconsumptionofaslittle as30gramsortwotablespoonsofsoybeansperdayforonlyone monthresultedinasignificantincreaseinthyroid-stimulating hormone.Diffusegoiterandhypothyroidismappearedinsomeof thesubjectsandmanycomplainedofconstipation,fatigueand lethargy, even though their intake of iodine was adequate.In1997,researchersfromtheFDA'sNationalCenterfor ToxicologicalResearchmadetheembarrassingdiscoverythatthe goitrogenic components of soy were the very same isoflavones.Twenty-fivegramsofsoyproteinisolate,theminimumamountPTI claimedtohavecholesterol-loweringeffects,containsfrom50to70 mgofisoflavones.Ittookonly45mgofisoflavonesin premenopausalwomentoexertsignificantbiologicaleffects, includingareductioninhormonesneededforadequatethyroid function.Theseeffectslingeredforthreemonthsaftersoy consumption was discontinued.Onehundredgramsofsoyprotein-themaximumsuggested cholesterol-loweringdose,andtheamountrecommendedby ProteinTechnologiesInternational-cancontainalmost600mgof isoflavones,anamountthatisundeniablytoxic.In1992,theSwiss healthserviceestimatedthat100gramsofsoyproteinprovidedthe estrogenic equivalent of the Pill.Invitrostudiessuggestthatisoflavonesinhibitsynthesisofestradiol andothersteroidhormones.Reproductiveproblems,infertility, thyroiddiseaseandliverdiseaseduetodietaryintakeofisoflavones havebeenobservedforseveralspeciesofanimalsincludingmice, cheetah, quail, pigs, rats, sturgeon and sheep. Itistheisoflavonesinsoythataresaidtohaveafavorableeffecton postmenopausalsymptoms,includinghotflushes,andprotection fromosteoporosis.Quantificationofdiscomfortfromhotflushesis extremelysubjective,andmoststudiesshowthatcontrolsubjects reportreductionindiscomfortinamountsequaltosubjectsgiven soy.Theclaimthatsoypreventsosteoporosisisextraordinary,given that soy foods block calcium and cause vitamin D deficiencies.IfAsiansindeedhavelowerratesofosteoporosisthanWesterners, itisbecausetheirdietprovidesplentyofvitaminDfromshrimp, lardandseafood,andplentyofcalciumfrombonebroths.The reasonthatWesternershavesuchhighratesofosteoporosisis becausetheyhavesubstitutedsoyoilforbutter,whichisa traditionalsourceofvitaminDandotherfat-solubleactivators needed for calcium absorption.Birth Control Pills For BabiesButitwastheisoflavonesininfantformulathatgavetheJameses themostcauseforconcern.In1998,investigatorsreportedthatthe dailyexposureofinfantstoisoflavonesinsoyinfantformulais6 to11timeshigheronabody-weightbasisthanthedosethathas hormonaleffectsinadultsconsumingsoyfoods.Circulating concentrationsofisoflavonesininfantsfedsoy-basedformulawere 13,000to22,000timeshigherthanplasmaestradiolconcentrations in infants on cow's milk formula.Approximately25percentofbottle-fedchildrenintheUSreceive soy-basedformula-amuchhigherpercentagethaninotherparts oftheWesternworld.Fitzpatrickestimatedthataninfant exclusivelyfedsoyformulareceivestheestrogenicequivalent (basedonbodyweight)ofatleastfivebirthcontrolpillsperday.By contrast,almostnophytoestrogenshavebeendetectedindairy-basedinfantformulaorinhumanmilk,evenwhenthemother consumes soy products. Scientistshaveknownforyearsthatsoy-basedformulacancause thyroidproblemsinbabies.Butwhataretheeffectsofsoyproducts on the hormonal development of the infant, both male and female?Maleinfantsundergoa"testosteronesurge"duringthefirstfew monthsoflife,whentestosteronelevelsmaybeashighasthoseof anadultmale.Duringthisperiod,theinfantisprogrammedto expressmalecharacteristicsafterpuberty,notonlyinthe developmentofhissexualorgansandothermasculinephysical traits,butalsoinsettingpatternsinthebraincharacteristicofmale behavior.Inmonkeys,deficiencyofmalehormonesimpairsthedevelopment ofspatialperception(which,inhumans,isnormallymoreacutein menthaninwomen),oflearningabilityandofvisualdiscrimination tasks(suchaswouldberequiredforreading).Itgoeswithoutsaying thatfuturepatternsofsexualorientationmayalsobeinfluencedby the early hormonal environment. Malechildrenexposedduringgestationtodiethylstilbestrol(DES),a syntheticestrogenthathaseffectsonanimalssimilartothoseof phytoestrogensfromsoy,hadtestessmallerthannormalon manturation.Learningdisabilities,especiallyinmalechildren,havereached epidemicproportions.Soyinfantfeeding-whichbeganinearnest intheearly1970s-cannotbeignoredasaprobablecauseforthese tragic developments.Asforgirls,analarmingnumberareenteringpubertymuchearlier thannormal,accordingtoarecentstudyreportedinthejournal Pediatrics.Investigatorsfoundthatonepercentofallgirlsnow showsignsofpuberty,suchasbreastdevelopmentorpubichair, beforetheageofthree;byageeight,14.7percentofwhitegirlsand almost50percentofAfrican-Americangirlshaveoneorbothof these characteristics.NewdataindicatethatenvironmentalestrogenssuchasPCBsand DDE(abreakdownproductofDDT)maycauseearlysexual developmentingirls.Inthe1986PuertoRicoPrematureThelarche study,themostsignificantdietaryassociationwithpremature sexualdevelopmentwasnotchicken-asreportedinthepress-but soy infant formula.Theconsequencesofthistruncatedchildhoodaretragic.Young girlswithmaturebodiesmustcopewithfeelingsandurgesthat mostchildrenarenotwell-equippedtohandle.Andearly maturationingirlsisfrequentlyaharbingerforproblemswiththe reproductivesystemlaterinlife,includingfailuretomenstruate, infertility and breast cancer.ParentswhohavecontactedtheJamesesrecountotherproblems associatedwithchildrenofbothsexeswhowerefedsoy-based formula,includingextremeemotionalbehavior,asthma,immune systemproblems,pituitaryinsufficiency,thyroiddisordersand irritablebowelsyndrome-thesameendocrineanddigestivehavoc that afflicted the Jameses' parrots.Dissension In The RanksOrganizersoftheThirdInternationalSoySymposiumwouldbe hard-pressedtocalltheconferenceanunqualifiedsuccess.Onthe seconddayofthesymposium,theLondon-basedFoodCommission andtheWestonA.PriceFoundationofWashington,DC,heldajoint pressconference,inthesamehotelasthesymposium,topresent concerns about soy infant formula.Industryrepresentativessatstony-facedthroughtherecitationof potentialdangersandapleafromconcernedscientistsandparents topullsoy-basedinfantformulafromthemarket.Underpressure fromtheJameses,theNewZealandGovernmenthadissueda healthwarningaboutsoyinfantformulain1998;itwastimeforthe American government to do the same.Onthelastdayofthesymposium,presentationsonnewfindings relatedtotoxicitysentawell-oxygenatedchillthroughthegiddy heliumhype.DrLonWhitereportedonastudyofJapanese AmericanslivinginHawaii,thatshowedasignificantstatistical relationshipbetweentwoormoreservingsoftofuaweekand "accelerated brain aging".Thoseparticipantswhoconsumedtofuinmid-lifehadlower cognitivefunctioninlatelifeandagreaterincidenceofAlzheimer's diseaseanddementia."What'smore,"saidDrWhite,"thosewho atealotoftofu,bythetimetheywere75or80lookedfiveyears older".Whiteandhiscolleaguesblamedthenegativeeffectson isoflavones-afindingthatsupportsanearlierstudyinwhich postmenopausalwomenwithhigherlevelsofcirculatingestrogen experienced greater cognitive decline.ScientistsDanielSheehanandDanielDoerge,fromtheNational CenterforToxicologicalResearch,ruinedPTI'sdaybypresenting findingsfromratfeedingstudies,indicatingthatgenisteininsoy foodscausesirreversibledamagetoenzymesthatsynthesise thyroid hormones."Theassociationbetweensoybeanconsumptionandgoiterin animalsandhumanshasalonghistory,"wroteDrDoerge."Current evidenceforthebeneficialeffectsofsoyrequiresafull understanding of potential adverse effects as well."DrClaudeHughesreportedthatratsborntomothersthatwere fedgenisteinhaddecreasedbirthweightscomparedtocontrols, andonsetofpubertyoccurredearlierinmaleoffspring.His researchsuggestedthattheeffectsobservedinrats"...willbeat least somewhat predictive of what occurs in humans.Thereisnoreasontoassumethattherewillbegrossmalformations offetusesbuttheremaybesubtlechanges,suchas neurobehavioralattributes,immunefunctionandsexhormone levels."Theresults,hesaid,"couldbenothingorcouldbe somethingofgreatconcern...ifmomiseatingsomethingthatcan actlikesexhormones,itislogicaltowonderifthatcouldchangethe baby's development".Astudyofbabiesborntovegetarianmothers,publishedinJanuary 2000,indicatedjustwhatthosechangesinbaby'sdevelopment mightbe.Motherswhoateavegetariandietduringpregnancyhad afivefoldgreaterriskofdeliveringaboywithhypospadias,abirth defectofthepenis.Theauthorsofthestudysuggestedthatthe causewasgreaterexposuretophytoestrogensinsoyfoodspopular with vegetarians.Problemswithfemaleoffspringofvegetarianmothersaremore likelytoshowuplaterinlife.Whilesoy'sestrogeniceffectisless thanthatofdiethylstilbestrol(DES),thedoseislikelytobehigher becauseit'sconsumedasafood,nottakenasadrug.Daughtersof womenwhotookDESduringpregnancysufferedfrominfertility and cancer when they reached their twenties.Ifyouwouldlikeadditionalinformationregardingourservices or to request an appointment, you can contact us by phone (952 80 53 68) or by email.