Soy is considered a health food right?  It would seem to be good for you, even a healthy alternative to meat products for vegetarians or anyone looking to reduce their red meat intake. Soy is a high protein legume but does that make it a super food? The answer after my own research is “no” soy is not necessarily a great protein alternative. This article will detail the dangers of soy protein.

What are Phytoestrogens?
Phytoestrogens are estrogens that are found in plants which are not the same as the estrogen found in the human body but it is similar in nature. Phytoestrogens are a food source and are more concentrated in soy than any other food source which means they are loaded with estrogen.  Although there have been some reports that these phytoestrogens are good for you, the truth is they are not, they are actually harmful to your body and health.  If estrogen is responsible for endometriosis, breast cancer, lack of sex drive, infertility and more and it is found in soy than how can it be a good idea to take in large quantities?  Clearly large amounts of soy should not be consumed.

Did you know that baby soy formula which is used more and more frequently to avoid lactose intolerance is loaded with as much of the estrogen hormone equivalent as if you were taking 400 times the recommended  amount of birth control pills? Does this sound like a good idea to anyone? Is it a wonder why our girls are reaching puberty younger and younger? Still not convinced of the dangers of soy?

What are Goitrogens?
There are foods which interfere with your thyroid function. Guess which is at the top of this list? If you guessed soy you git it right. Soy will destroy your thyroid. Soy is the mac daddy of thyroid suppressing  goitrogenic foods, it actually inhibits the absorption of iodine which is essential to our health. That means if you consume large amounts of soy you will slow your thyroid and the thyroid is responsible for your metabolism and metabolism regulates weight. If a + b = c then consuming soy leads to weight gain.

So far soy will increase your risk of estrogen induced diseases and weight gain, this is not sounding like a super healthy food.

What are Phytates?
As if soy wasn't already off my “to eat” list, here is even more reason to reduce or eliminate it. Soy is rich, very rich, in phytates. These are enzyme-inhibitors which actually prevent your body's ability to absorb minerals when you digest your food. Add lack of mineral absorption to the grwoing list of reasons not to have soy. Edamame?  I pass!

There are even more reasons not to have soy but this seems like enough to educate on the dangers of soy and why you should stay clear!