Many people are still convinced that soy is a health food, but it is important to recognize that soy clearly has a downside. Now a new study of female rats has shown that soy supplements can decrease normal sexual behavior by as much as 70 percent. The rats were given a commercially available supplement in doses similar to those taken by women. The findings suggest a possible negative side effect for the supplements, which are becoming very popular among U.S. women.
So what are some of the other downsides of soy?
- Soybeans are high in natural toxins, also known as ?antinutrients.? This includes a large quantity of inhibitors that deter the enzymes needed for protein digestion. Further, these enzyme inhibitors are not entirely disabled during ordinary cooking. The result is extensive gastric distress and chronic deficiencies in amino acid uptake, which can result in dangerous pancreatic impairments and cancer.
- Soybeans contain hemaglutinins, which cause red blood cells to clump together. Soybeans also have growth-depressant substances. And while these substances are reduced in processing, they are not completely eliminated.
- Soybeans are very high in phytates, which prevent the absorption of minerals including calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc, all of which are co-factors for optimal biochemistry in the body.
New Scientist November 14, 2003