Are tofu and soy products keeping us fat?

ConnieLynn · January 2008

Hi everyone,

I read an interesting article yesterday on how tofu raises our estrogen level and keeps us fat.

I have only read this article, but now I am wary of soy products.

What has been your experience with them?

I have found they do affect me and will now stay away from them.

This article also points out why Oprah has continued to have problems with her weight and I was wondering why that was as well.

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/jenlee7.htm

Here is part of what they say:

"Tofu and all other soy products do another thing to your body. It's been scientifically proven, even after a small amount of time (about a month) of someone on a soy rich diet, that their body starts to hold and hoard onto fat. Why? Because once soy is digested into the system, it causes one's estrogen levels to do one thing - rise! "

Anyone eating soy products and having trouble losing?

Connie Lynn

ConnieLynn · January 2008

Hi everyone,

I read an interesting article yesterday on how tofu raises our estrogen level and keeps us fat.

I have only read this article, but now I am wary of soy products.

What has been your experience with them?

I have found they do affect me and will now stay away from them.

This article also points out why Oprah has continued to have problems with her weight and I was wondering why that was as well.

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/jenlee7.htm

Here is part of what they say:

"Tofu and all other soy products do another thing to your body. It's been scientifically proven, even after a small amount of time (about a month) of someone on a soy rich diet, that their body starts to hold and hoard onto fat. Why? Because once soy is digested into the system, it causes one's estrogen levels to do one thing - rise! "

Anyone eating soy products and having trouble losing?

Connie Lynn

diannholland1965 · January 2008

Um. NO! :noway:
In fact TOFU Helps fill me up faster, is good for women, ALWAYS HAS BEEN!
And is SCIENTIFICLY PROVEN to help with digestion.
Oprah does not have trouble with her weight now that she is eating health and working out most everyday. Stopped with the Sodas and the fried foods.
To say that people are going to lose weight just eating red meats and staying away from all carbs and digestive enzyme products like Tofu, Yogurt, and Milk is in my opinion INSANE! (Yes I know not everyone can drink milk or eat Yogurt.)
Try to remember EVERYTHING IN MODERATION!
Without reading the article and just going on what you said. It sounds to me like another Body Builder trying to fit everyone into their new DIET fad. :ohwell:
Again, I have not read the article, and I am not reaming you. :flowerforyou:
--Diann...

rhondababy · January 2008

This is so interesting! When was a vegetarian, eating soy daily, I gained 40 lbs in 18 months. Of course

this could also have been due to Prozac, and lots of bagels

My mom was talking about some problem with pre-menopausal women eating too much soy, but she

didn't really have any basis, and it didn't sound like it made much sense.

I have also read that soy can raise our estrogen levels. The question is how much does it raise them?

And how much soy is too much? Tofu twice a week, and some edamame now and then, and soymilk in

my coffee many days a week is about me normal consumption.

I'd love more info!

rhondababy · January 2008

Rhonda here again- sorry for the typos!!!!

And- I will do some searching on my own and see what can come up with.

BTW I believe Oprah's problems had to do with her TSH levels being off, which is not uncommon in

in women in menopause. I don't believe it had anything to do with her diet.

GinaB30 · January 2008

I don't know what to believe about Tofu and soy products...I'd heard that eating too much of it was a bad thing though.

zenmama · January 2008

MYTH # 3
Tofu is low in fat

Nope, about 40% of the calories in tofu come from fat good, heath-promoting fat. Despite the fat Tofu is actually very low in calories and is a good source of protein. Gram for gram, few foods provide as many proteins, carbohydrate and fat benefits in as few calories.

In a process somewhat similar to the way some cheeses are made, tofu is made by curding hot soymilk with a coagulant. Natural minerals, such as nigari (a compound derived from ocean water) and calcium sulfate, are added to the soymilk, which is then heated, strained and pressed. You can try your hand at making tofu at home, too.
www.womenfitness.net
dd

ConnieLynn · January 2008

Hi everyone,

Here is another article on it.

http://www.mothering.com/articles/growing_child/food/soy_story.html

How Much Soy Do Asians Really Eat?
"Those who dare to question the benefits of soy tend to receive one stock answer: Soy foods couldn't possibly have a downside because Asians eat large quantities of soy every day and consequently remain free of most western diseases. In fact, the people of China, Japan, and other countries in Asia eat very little soy. "

"Many Americans today think nothing of consuming a cup of tofu, a couple glasses of soy milk, handfuls of soy nuts, soy "energy bars," and veggie burgers. Infants on soy formula receive the most of all, both in quantity and in proportion to body weight."

Hmmm,

The debate continues,

Connie Lynn

zenmama · January 2008

I heard that it had a huge fat content especially fat from calories.....?

The confusion of soy!!! :noway:

dd

filergirl · January 2008

Honestly, I'd say the fast food, meat and dairy industries, and to some extent the "diet industry," are more to blame for making us fat than anything.

As for people on vegetarian diets getting fat -- I've seen that with a bunch of people I know. I think the problem comes from relying on a lot more carbs, and assuming that "health food" can be eaten in bulk.

As per the diet industry, does it strike anyone odd that Jenny Craig is owned by Nestle?

Talk about creating a customer base.

ConnieLynn · January 2008

Hi there,

Found another article on Soy's thyroid dangers!

http://thyroid.about.com/cs/soyinfo/a/soy_3.htm

"A Look at the Dangers of Soy to the Health of Your Thyroid
Leading Expert Warns of Soy-Thyroid Connection in Bestselling Book

In the bestselling book Living Well With Hypothyroidism: What Your Doctor Doesn't Tell You … That You Need to Know, leading soy expert Dr. Mike Fitzpatrick was profiled.

"Dr. Mike Fitzpatrick is an environmental scientist and phytoestrogen researcher who has extensively researched the issue of soy formulas, and the impact of soy consumption on thyroid function. Dr. Fitzpatrick introduced me to a little-known fact that can have substantial impact on people with hypothyroidism and the population in general -- overconsumption of soy products has the potential to impair thyroid function. Dr. Fitzpatrick is so concerned that he is calling for soy formula manufacturers to remove the isoflavones -- the agents that are most active against the thyroid -- from their products."

".. There are also concerns for adult consumption of soy products. One UK study involving premenopausal women gave 60 grams of soy protein per day for one month. This was found to disrupt the menstrual cycle, with the effects of the isoflavones continuing for a full three months after stopping the soy in the diet. Another study found that intake of soy over a long period causes enlargement of the thyroid and suppresses thyroid function. Isoflavones are also known to modify fertility and change sex hormone status, and to have serious health effects -- including infertility, thyroid disease or liver disease -- on a number of mammals… Dr. Fitzpatrick believes that people with hypothyroidism should seriously consider avoiding soy products, and predicts the current promotion of soy as a health food will result in an increase in thyroid disorders."

Could be what happened to Oprah. Bob is having her eat to much soy.

Debate on,

Connie Lynn

zenmama · January 2008

I agree with the diet industry making us fat...as for the Vegetarian being fat yes those who do not know how to balance a veg diet tend to rely on other food groups and not becoming or doing the vegetarian thing right. I was a vegetarian for over 20 years, and it took a while to ge the hang of it. As for the tofu anything can be "too" much...moderation is key!

dd

filergirl · January 2008

I bet you Oprah just ate too much, period.

I've been eating soy products nearly every day since starting to diet and I have lost 10 lbs.

filergirl · January 2008

Wonder if this is the same "Dr. Mike Fitzpatrick." Sounds like a bit of a quack to me.

http://www.gmwatch.org/profile1.asp?PrId=141

filergirl · January 2008

And, Fitzpatrick is called a 'leading expert' by the woman who quoted him in her book -- a book she is trying to sell. Hmm.

More digging reveals the same doctor (whose CV I have not found online -- from what university did he graduate? What are his credentials?) has ties to something called IOI -- the Institue of Ideas, which bills itself as a democratic forum that supports, among other things, the development of genetically modified foods. Primary source of funding for IOL? Pharmaceutical industry, among them, Novartis.

From what I've read in the last five minutes, I'd say you can discount both these articles.

If anyone can find a reliable study (published in a refereed science or medical journal) that says soy is bad for you, please post it here. Don't want anymore estrogen in my system. Lord knows the Pill is enough!

yoginimary · January 2008

Everything in moderation. I seriously doubt any one got fat eating edamame - but processed foods - you bet!

Oh, and like everything, be careful who you listen to - that in moderation as well. :flowerforyou:

ConnieLynn · January 2008

Hi there,

That is why I put this question out there.

It is important to have all the facts.

I just don't want something that raises my estrogen level and if it is proven that it does this as well as affects our thyroids then it is something to further research.

Anyone had problems with soy? That is my question.

If it has not been harmful to anyone, then we are good to go.

Thanks,

Connie Lynn

Cowboy · January 2008

It is scientifically proven fact that for men, eating soy is NOT good. Soy contains phyto-estrogens and reduces secondary male characteristics and decreases fertility.
Like everything else in this country, the growth of the Soy industry is very politically and $$$$ motivated. Depending on who is in congress at the time, and who has the money to support them, various crops rotate in and out of vogue. I offer these very interesting articles for those who would like to know more. There is also a great book called "Food Politics: How the Food Industry Influences Nutrition and Health" that I recommend reading.
http://www.healingcrow.com/soy/soy.html
http://www.foodpolitics.com/pages/foodpolitics.htm

filergirl · January 2008

It is scientifically proven fact that for men, eating soy is NOT good. Soy contains phyto-estrogens and reduces secondary male characteristics and decreases fertility.
Like everything else in this country, the growth of the Soy industry is very politically and $$$$ motivated. Depending on who is in congress at the time, and who has the money to support them, various crops rotate in and out of vogue. I offer these very interesting articles for those who would like to know more. There is also a great book called "Food Politics: How the Food Industry Influences Nutrition and Health" that I recommend reading.
http://www.healingcrow.com/soy/soy.html
http://www.foodpolitics.com/pages/foodpolitics.htm

Sounds interesting. I'll check it out!

diannholland1965 · January 2008

I am with you Fatboy I will check that out as well. As for the good Dr. Fitzy I will see if he shows up on our Data Base here.
WOW...
The very first MFP MYTH BUSTERS!

:laugh:
--Diann...

Cowboy · January 2008

Here are a couple more:

http://iangoddard.net/soy.htm
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,303160,00.html

I don't think eating small amounts of soy are going to hurt anyone, but contrary to popular belief, even the Asian countries do not consume as much soy as we have begun to consume in this country, and of that, most of it is fermented, so that some of the effects of "fresh" or unfermented soy are mitigated.
Cowboy

Nich0le · January 2008

First of all, Americans are the worst consumers in the world. Our media gets a hint that something is good or bad for us and once it is on the nightly news we all freak out and ban it or make sales go through the roof, does anyone remember the EVIL EGGS. Truth be told, there is always an upside and a downside to most everything we believe to be true. Two good examples are antioxidants and soy.

Antioxidants were touted as a miracle cell protector that would help prevent cancer, and yes, they do help protect cells, unfortunately they help protect all cells, including cancerous ones and it has been discovered that taking antioxidants while being treated for cancer can actually hamper your success, again, moderation in everything.

Soy is an excellent replacement for those with milk and protein allergies, my daughter was a prime exampe, as an infant and young child she was allergic to anything that came from a cow and any meats high in protein. For her, soy was an easier way to get her the protein and calcium she needed (we also added calcium powder to her juices, pre the time we have now where everything has added calcium)

Soy for menopause use is inconclusive. Researchers are at an impass, in other words they can't decide if the genistein (plant estrogen) is good for us in menopause or not.

Soy causes breast cancer in some women, also a by product of the genistein, our medical experts can not agree on this either and their attitude is wait and see for a few years and see how many more women that ingest large quantities of soy get breast cancer. We have to make the decision that is best for us, do we consume the soy in the hopes that we are helping prevent cancer or do we not consume it and wait and see if we get cancer that way?

Soy products are consumed mostly in large quantities in the "West", America , Canada, UK etc. The asian communities actually use most of their soy product as a side dish or condiment (ie, soy sauce). As a matter of fact, until fermentation was discovered asians did not find soy beans to be fit for consumption, they were used primarily to refertilize soil for other types of crops.

Products that contain soy and have a high concentration of maganese are linked to brain damage in infants and altered behavior in adolescents. Do you want to risk that? Well, I did because my daughter needed a substitute, it may have rotted her baby teeth but she is smart as a whip, and so far no crazy behavior.

Keep in mind, most soy products have more sugar than their milk counterparts. Mainly because soy is not a naturally sweet product. Also ,and this may make you change your mind but how is tofu created???

The very first soy products that were consumed were tempeh, natto,miso and soy sauce. Later it was discovered that the puree of cooked soy beans could be precipitated with calcium sulfate or magnesium sulphate to make a smooth pale curd known as tofu. FYI, calcium sulfate is plaster of paris and magnesium sulphate is espom salts. mmmmmmmmmmmm............

So to sum it all up, everything in moderation, moderation, moderation!!!!!!

:happy:

Nich0le · January 2008

And is SCIENTIFICLY PROVEN to help with digestion.
Oprah does not have trouble with her weight now that she is eating health and working out most everyday. Stopped with the Sodas and the fried foods.

First, just because Oprah says its great doesn't mean it is, Oprah has a long long history of being big and skinny, big and skinny, and she always has to stop the crap food in order to loose weight. 10 years ago she lost the weight because she "gave up her southern comfort foods, fried chicken, fried okra" and the list goes on.

Next, Soy naturally contains toxins or antinutrients such as phytates and enzyme inhibitors that block the action of trypsin and other protein digesting enzymes. These compounds are not "deactivate" during the cooking process and can cause gastric distress, reduced protein digestion, chronic deficiencies in amino acids adn minerals, including calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc. Zinc deficiencies can cause impaired functioning of the brain, nervous system, reproductive system, blood sugar imbalance and immune disorders. This is most commonly found in vegetarians but it leaves anyone with a "spacey" or "high" feeling.

Soy also contains haemagglutinin, a clot promoting substance that causes red blood cells to clump together, which can inhibit normal growth.

Fermentation of the soy bean reduces but does not eliminate these antinutrients in tofu, however soy milk, soy cheese are loaded with antinutrients.

Cowboy · January 2008

Right on mnbarnum. You are absolutely correct!
Cowboy

suevittorioso · January 2008

this is an interesting discussion. i end up eating soy protein Meatless "meat" at least once a week with a daughter whose a vegetarian.you could almost pretend it's scrambled hamburger-almost.i guess i always thought soy products were good for menopausal women to help relieve symptoms. i don't know... the one thing i do know-you guys are right.we latch onto a new,supposedly great thing and eat it by the ton. Asian people eat things like this and meat as condiments and side dishes. it's that moderation thingwe seem to lack.i like to substitute meat anyway because i'm starting to think there are or could be too many additives and hormones in all meat.who knows what that's doing to us?oh,let's not get going on that one tonight!i was gonna say we could debate that til the cows come home but that's even bad for me!

scheidch · September 2008

I would consider reading the information at this link. I can say that I am neither pro-soy nor anti-soy, but it looks more reliable to me than hearsay since research references are cited.

http://www.vegfamily.com/health/vegan-soy-information.htm

Just throwing that out there for y'all. Take it with a grain of salt, since it is from a Vegan site and not a "neutral" party.

Edit:

Here is a link to an FDA study about soy, for your edification:

http://www.fda.gov/Fdac/features/2000/300_soy.html

faythe · September 2008

Look, if the food you're eating has been genetically modified, that's going to mess with your body a heck of a lot more than eating edamame a couple times a week. Eat it, don't eat it, but don't try to sway someone else to think what you think. To me it seems like some of y'all are just picking a fight. Knock it off!

shorerider · September 2008

I've been drinking a 2 cups of soy milk a day or more for the last month at recommendation of my doctor as a way to help with my pre-men symptoms. She says it is a natural replacement for estrogen or something to that effect and better for me than pills since hormone pills increase risk of heart disease (big factor as I'm diabetic).

So, all I can say is that it does increase estrogen levels. hasn't impacted anything else though.

kwill23 · September 2008

It is a known fact that soy and tofu are estrogen disrupters. If a doctor recommends them to raise estrogen levels in menopausal women, then maybe it isn't good for the rest of us who have normal estrogen levels.

Are tofu and soy products keeping us fat?

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