soy protein isolate (non-gmo) sprouts.

graceklaas03

I'm using both soy protein and whey protein powders every day to make my daily protein intake. However there are hundreds of articles against the use of soy and equally others supporting soy intake. What makes me wonder is that most of the store bought processed foods almost all contain soy. If its so bad why is it in all the processed foods we eat and why are we then told to avoid it? Most people would tell you they use whey protein instead of soy but soy got higher protein than whey per gram. My question is: should I stop using soy protein isolate powder and is whey protein more superior than soy protein. Is there any proof that soy causes cancer and is there any real proof that someone can be malnourished because soy blocks certain nutrients from being absorbed. We all know that overuse of anything is bad even water can kill if overly consumed. I've read most of the users answers on protein powder and non of them mentioned soy protein. Is there really something wrong with soy????

jgnatca

How might you sift through conflicting information to tell what is more likely true?

Is it the use of rhetoric, compelling words, or something else?

graceklaas03

The info I get on soy is very confusing from both the affirming side and negative side. What is the truth about soy or is there any "truth" about it at all?

jgnatca

I'm asking you to think further. If I just tell you it will simply be more words. You want something more conclusive than words.

I think with the wealth of information out there these days the skill to sift information to be a very valuable skill.

graceklaas03

It is the feeling of drowning in an ocean of help that is frustrating. Is there any conclusive fact on the subject of soy? 50% seem to have scientifically researched the dangers of soy consumption while the other 50% have point out that the Asians have used soy with no ill effects, oh! and they also have their own scientifically based research that the dangers are exaggerated or negligent.

sunnybeaches105

The whey will absorb faster and has a higher bioavailability. Given the choice, I'd use that.

I completely agree with you on the amount of conflicting "information," but I haven't seen anything convincing to tell me that soy is harmful to people who aren't allergic to it and don't have other medical issues. Anecdotally, I ate a ton when I lived in Asia and never sprouted boobs . .

ETA: here: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19589961

graceklaas03

Awesome.

jgnatca

For conclusive facts I look for evidence. From properly conducted studies. Published and peer reviewed.

I tend to trust authorities like the FDA and WHO.

sunnybeaches105

jgnatca wrote: »

For conclusive facts I look for evidence. From properly conducted studies. Published and peer reviewed.

I tend to trust authorities like the FDA and WHO.

Please post some then. I'd be genuinely interested in seeing conclusive facts on soy pointing to real dangers from moderate soy consumption in healthy people. When I'm done eating and am on my laptop I'll go check AARR and see if I can find any good links to pubmed.

ETA: Yes. I'm old, but once in a while my memory serves me correctly. Soy is absolutely fine and may be beneficial in several ways. It appears to be protective in terms of breast and prostate cancers, helps build bone mineral density (at least in post-menopausal women), and does not have the often-hyped feminizing effects on men.

I'm not posting links to everything because I feel obligated to Alan Aragon not to rip off is AARR, but if you're a subscriber then check out the February 2010 issue. As for the dreaded feminizing effects in men see here:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19524224

I'm now sitting here wondering why I'm not using a mix of soy and whey . . .

lemurcat12

sunnybeaches105 wrote: »

The whey will absorb faster and has a higher bioavailability. Given the choice, I'd use that.

This is why I normally go for whey as my protein of choice (I've been experimenting with a non dairy option, but when I run out I plan to go back to whey, probably).

I've seen nothing conclusive on soy and nothing at all suggesting that moderate amounts are bad for us, and some saying moderate amounts may be good. My prejudice (determining what I find convincing, as jgnatca asked, and in case OP has similar ideas) is that it's okay in amounts that have been commonly eaten, as if their was a problem, we would have seen it. So I'm interested in how much has been traditionally consumed in Asia. On that, I've seen this (read down to the relevant section), but definitely need to do more research and am mindful this comes from a pro vegan source: http://www.veganhealth.org/articles/soy_wth. That said, I don't see a reason to doubt the stats about Japan and China at present.

My other prejudice is generally that overdoing anything is bad and having just a small number of foods dominate the diet is generally not ideal, so I'd want to limit overall consumption of soy (like I do of anything when variety is possible). Thus, I have considered how I like to eat soy--for me, it's a great option for non-animal-based protein, up there with other legumes or even easier, and I enjoy tofu, tempeh, and edamame. As a result, I generally prefer not to eat soy in other forms, especially not as an additive (I don't eat a lot of packaged stuff with a ton of ingredients, so am not that concerned about this, but it is in so much) or as a milk substitute, which I have no need for or can usually use something else instead (nut milks, dairy itself). So similarly, here, do I have a reason to add more soy to my diet (which already includes a decent amount of it) in the form of protein? Not that I can see, as I don't think it has any advantages to whey.

littlechiaseed

Soy is a healthy, complete protein. Asians have eaten soy for thousands of years and you don't see Asian men with bouncing breasts or lots of Asian women with breast cancer. Animal foods have estrogen. Plants have phytoestrogen which are for plants and have effects in plants not animals. If you cut out soy you'll be cutting a nutrient dense, lean protein. Your call.

AlabamaMama224

I have no problem with soy protein. As a vegan I consume soy in lots of forms. Tofu, tempeh soy milk ice cream.......;) because I eat quite a bit of soy in my daily food, I prefer pea protein powder as my protein. For a little variety.