Maddie Goots

HSP 3700J
Karl Federspiel
3/24/14
The Truth about Soy
As a nutrition student, I am always interested in what the newest food trends are among
my peers. Every day I feel as though there is some new super food or magic product that is
rumored to solve everyones problems. It excites me to see that people are trying to improve
their nutritional choices, but everyone needs to stop and do a little bit of research before
believing everything any blogger tells them. In recent years, the internet has been giving
conflicting reports about one of the latest super foods: soy. Some say it is the miracle substance
that can help control heart disease while others tell tales of it causing reduced testosterone and
even cancer. I decided to look more in depth to see if any of the myths were really true.
Soy beans are a legume that is native to East Asia and is used to create many different products.
The beans themselves are edible and are also processed into things such as soy milk, tofu, and
tempeh. Soy bean oil is also a common product of soy. Soy protein is widely considered to be a
complete protein, which means that it contains all the essential amino acids. This makes it a
popular choice for people who live vegan or vegetarian lifestyles. The beans contain significant
amounts of phytic acid, alpha-linolenic acid, and isoflavones. Isoflavones are a type of
phytoestrogen, which is a plant derived compound with estrogen-like activity. In soybeans,
isoflavones are present as glycosides, which indicate that they are bound to a sugar molecule.

Fermentation or digestion of soybeans or soy products results in the release of the sugar
molecule from the isoflavone glycoside, leaving an isoflavone aglycone. Most of the conflict
about soy protein is based on the isoflavone content that they have. Much research has been done
on isoflavones in order to dispel some of the myths that are being created about it. Of course
more research needs to be done about the product, but soy protein, consumed in moderation, is
not proven to cause any harm to humans and can even be helpful in disease prevention and
maintenance.
Soy is not healthy, it can cause health problems and its widespread use is destructive to
the planet dont eat it (Mama)! This was written in bold as a bottom line point on an article
about soy on a popular blog. An increased risk for cancer is one of the main reasons the author
lists on why not to consume soy. This theory is mostly based on the fact that phytoestrogens can
cause estrogen dominance in women and testosterone imbalance in men. Breast cancer is
strongly linked with estrogen levels because tumor cell growth is triggered by estrogen meeting
the estrogen receptor. It turns out that phytoestrogens also have anti-estrogen properties as well.
What this means is that they can block the more potent natural estrogens from binding to the
estrogen receptor as well as stopping the formation of estrogens in fat tissue. They also work to
stimulate production of a protein that binds estrogen in the blood which makes it less able to bind
to the receptor. They also have anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and work in other
ways to reduce cancer growth (McCullough). In a review of recent studies it was stated that
when soy is consumed in levels comparable to those in Asian countries, no detrimental effects
are seen. It is also is possible that it could lower the risk for reoccurrence. It is also suggested
that women with a higher risk for breast cancer due to genetics could benefit from a diet that
includes soy protein (Magee). Although some animal studies have concluded that there is a

higher risk for breast cancer with a soy diet, there has been no evidence to suggest that the same
effects are caused in humans. More research is still being done to back up these claims and many
other myths are still being tested as well.
One of these myths suggests that soy might not help to control cardiovascular disease as
much as once thought. Consumption of soy has shown in the past to lower serum triglyceride and
low-density lipo-protein levels as well as raising high-density lipo-protein levels. In 1999, the
Food and Drug Administration approved the claim that soy can help lower your risk for heart
disease. This decision was based on the results of multiple human intervention trials. The FDA
clearly had strong reasons to believe that this was true or they would not have allowed
companies to display this fact on their packages. There is no true known mechanism for why soy
has these effects but there are plenty of theories. One of them suggests that the absorption of
cholesterol is simply altered while others state that it has something to do with the anti-estrogen
properties that the phytoestrogens have (Montgomery). Also, because most people who consume
soy use it as a source of protein it means that they are most likely consuming less animal protein
which is incredibly high in saturated fats and cholesterol. As well as the phytoestrogens, soy also
contains a high amount of poly-unsaturated fats. These are proven to be heart healthy lipids. In a
recent study, postmenopausal women on a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol (NCEP Step I
diet) consumed 40 g/d of soy protein with either 56 or 90 mg of isoflavones daily or casein for 6
months. Both soy groups had significantly better blood lipid profiles than the casein group
(Erdman). In another study done in recent years, participants were given 40 mg of soy protein
supplement per day during a 12 week intervention in order to study the effect on systolic and
diastolic blood pressure. The net changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure reductions were
-7.88 mm Hg (CI, -4.66 to -11.1 mm Hg) and -5.27 mm Hg (CI, -3.05 to -7.49 mm Hg),

respectively, in persons with hypertension and -2.34 mm Hg (CI, 0.48 to -5.17 mm Hg) and -1.28
mm Hg (CI, 0.52 to -3.07 mm Hg), respectively, in those without hypertension (He et al., 2005,
p. 1-9). Although soy is not necessarily on the top of the list of the American Heart Associations
recommendations to reduce the risk of heart disease, it is clear that most of the research suggests
that soy protein and isoflavones do have a positive effect on blood lipids and blood pressure. The
reason it seems to be the subject of rumors is because the more recent studies have shown less
significant results. Even with that being true, the results still show a positive correlation with soy
and heart disease. The research should now be focusing on what exactly the mechanism is that
helps to improve blood lipids. If there was any concern on the negative relationship or the neutral
relationship of soy and cardiovascular disease then the Food and Drug Administration most
likely would have revoked their claim that they made in 1999. It is necessary to be clear on all
evidence before coming to a conclusion about soy myths.
Another soy myth that has been recently brought to light is the relationship between soy
consumption and infertility and low testosterone levels in men. Again, very inconclusive
research states that there could possibly be a negative effect on sperm count and quality related
to consumption of soy. There are also studies that show that these myths are untrue. Most of the
studies that show an effect on the reproductive system have to do with animals. The first
significant study done on humans was in 2001. Healthy volunteers took a supplement containing
40 mg of isoflavones daily for 2 months and donated blood and semen samples monthly for 2
months before and 4 months after supplementation. The phytoestrogen supplement increased
plasma genistein and daidzein concentrations to approx. 1 microM and 0.5 microM respectively;
yet, there was no observable effect on endocrine measurements, testicular volume or semen
parameters over the study period (Mitchell et al., 2001, p. 613-8). This led to a conclusion that

there was no negative effect on the reproductive health of males due to the phytoestrogen in soy.
Since then many more studies have been done to back up this initial study and have come out
with many different results. In a more recent study done in 2006, 24 participants were on a high
soy diet for three months to test levels of testosterone and no differences in levels of the hormone
were found (Maskarinec et al., 2006, p. 1423-6). Though the research does not clearly prove one
point or the other yet, there is no reason to sincerely believe that one is truer. More research
needs to be done on this topic, as well as all the topics with stigmas based around soy.
The research shows one thing and the internet shows another, this is not something that
is unheard of in todays age. But when it has to do with something so important such as health,
there is more of a chance that people will just believe what they hear instead of looking into the
research for themselves. Soy and soy protein have definitely proven to be one of those topics
where people find it easier to go with the flow and what is the most popular opinion. I believe
that based on current research there can be many health benefits and to soy protein based diets,
as well as soy protein also contributing to disease prevention and maintenance. Although
everything is not conclusive yet, I look forward to the rest of the research that is sure to come
and prove the naysayers wrong. It is always worth it to put a little time and thought about what
we are putting in our bodies and I, as someone who is looking to make a difference in the health
of my peers, highly recommend doing so. But let your research go beyond just a blog and into
articles written by real reliable sources because you never know what kind of magic you may
be missing, such as soy.

Annotated Bibliographies
Barrett, J. R. (2006, June). The science of soy: What do we really know? Environmental Health
Perspect, 114(6), 358A-A352. Retrieved March 12, 2014
This article is written about the things that are still being researched about soy protein. It
goes back and forth on the benefits and harmful effects that are being researched on the
controversial subject.
This article shows that there is not definitive research on most of the myths that are
written about the subject. I can use this to display that even though there are potential
harmful effects that are suggested not enough research is done that is conclusive to show
that these potential effects are enough to keep us from reaping the positive ones.
Committee on Nutrition, . (1998). Soy protein-based formulas: Recommendations for use in
infant feeding. Pediatrics, 101(1), 148-151. Retrieved March 12, 2014
This article reviews the indications and contraindications of soy based infant formula.
This type of formula has accounted for 25% of the market and no one is really sure if it is
better or worse for the infant that other formulas.
This article will support my argument that there is no worry for the harm of soy protein.
The committee has come to the conclusion that there is no harm in feeding your infant
baby formula than any other type of formula. I can use this to prove that most of the
myths about soy based infant formula are not conclusive.
Gunnars, K. (2013, September 22). Is Soy Bad For You, or Good? The Shocking Truth.
In Authority Nutrition. Retrieved March 12, 2014, from http://authoritynutrition.com/issoy-bad for-you-or-good/

This article goes through many of the myths about soy protein and summarizes a take
home message for each. It also highlights important research done on each subject.
This article has positive messages about certain myths and also negatives about others. I
can use this article to my advantage to support some claims. Also it will be good to show
that more research needs to be done on some subjects in order to come to a real
conclusion on the subject.
Konkel, L. (2009, November 3). Could Eating Too Much Soy Be Bad for You? Scientific
American. Retrieved March 12, 2014, from
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/soybean-fertility-hormone-isoflavonesgenistein/
This article that was originally Environmental Health News, highlights the research that
leads us to believe that there can be harmful effects associated with ingesting too much
soy protein. Although it does note that not all research points that way it does a good job
of contradicting all the other articles that I have.
Although it does go against my argument, I can use this article to again enforce my point
that more research should be done to truly find out how soy protein affects us.
Sacks, F. M., Lichtenstein, A., Van Horn, L., Harris, W., Kris-Etherton, P., & Winston, M.
(2006). Soy protein, isoflavones,and cardiovascular health:A Summary of a statement for
professionals from the american heart association nutrition committee. Arteriosclerosis,
Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology., 26, 1689-1692. Retrieved March 12, 2014
This article is a review of 22 different studies done with soy protein and isoflavones. It
shows their effect on different body functions and levels that have a direct effect on heart
disease.

This article can help me prove my argument that there is not any negative effect on the
body from soy protein. In most of the results the soy protein either had a positive effect or
there was no change. I will use it to prove my argument that there is inconclusive
research to suggest a negative effect from soy.
Sapbamrer, R., Visavarungroj, N., & Suttajit, M. (2013). Effects of dietary traditional fermented
soybean on reproductive hormones, lipids, and glucose among postmenopausal women in
northern Thailand. Asian Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 22(2), 222-228. Retrieved
March 12, 2014, from PubMed.
This article explains and displays the results of research done on post-menopausal women
in Thailand with soy protein. The main goal of the study was to test the effects of dietary
soy protein intake on BMI, reproductive hormones, lipids, and glucose in postmenopausal women. The expected effect of soy protein is to relieve symptoms of
menopause.
The results of the study showed that the dietary soy protein did have positive effects on
reproductive hormone and cholesterol levels. This would help me in supporting my
argument that soy protein does have more positive effects than negative effects on the
body. I would use this article to back up my point that research is showing that soy
protein can help in regulating some of the bodys daily functions.
Xiao, C. W. (2008, June). Health effects of soy protein and isoflavones in humans. The Journal
of Nutrition, 138(6), 1244S-1249S. Retrieved March 12, 2014
This article reviews many claims of soy protein. It goes through the specific research that
suggested that it is associated with a lower incidence of chronic diseases. It shows that
even though a lot of research is done, much of it is quite variable.

This article shows that there are some sources that say that soy does not have positive
effects. This goes against my argument that the research shows that it is good for you. I
can use this to point out that while the research doesnt suggest negative properties, more
research should still be done.
Witt, C. L. (2006, September 15). When Are Soy Formulas Appropriate for Infants Younger
Than 1 Year of Age?. InMedScape. Retrieved March 12, 2014, from
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/544436
This document is a response to a question from another health professional about when
using soy formula is appropriate. The author states that there is no real reason to
specifically switch to soy based formula unless there is an allergy because it could subject
the infant to unknown risks.
This does go against my idea that there are health benefits. I can use this article to say
that even though there is no positive reason to switch there is no direct known harm that
it can cause. It can also help support the need for more research.

Additional Sources
Erdman, J. W. (2000). Soy protein and cardiovascular disease. AHA Science Advisory, 102,
2555-2559. Retrieved March 24, 2014

He, J., Gu, D., Wu, X., Chen, J., Duan, X., Chen, J., & Whelton, P. K. (2005). Effect of soybean
protein on blood pressure: a randomized, controlled trial. Annals of Internal Medicine,
143(1), 1-9.

Magee, P., & Rowland, I. (2012, November). Soy products in the management of breast
cancer. Current Opinion of Clinical Nutrition Metabolism Care, 15(6). Retrieved March
24, 2014, from PubMed.
Mama, K. [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://wellnessmama.com/3684/is-soy-healthy/

Maskarinec, G., Morimoto, Y., Hebshi, S., Sharma, S., Franke, A. A., & Stanczyk, F. Z. (2006).
Serum prostate-specific antigen but not testosterone levels decrease in a randomized soy
intervention among men. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 60(12), 1423-6.
doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602473
MITCHELL, J. H., CAWOOD, E., KINNIBURGH, D., PROVAN, A., COLLINS, A. R., &
IRVINE, D. S. (2001). Effect of a phytoestrogen food supplement on reproductive health
in normal males. Clinical Science, 100(6), 613-618. doi:10.1042/CS20000212

Montgomery, K. S. (2003). Soy protein. The Journal of Perinatal Education, 12(3), 42-45.
Retrieved March 24, 2014, from PubMed.

McCullough, M. (2012, August 12). The bottom line on soy and breast cancer risk.
In Cancer.org. Retrieved March 24, 2014