Soy is one of the most heavily subsidized crops in the US and this is why you can find it everywhere. Even if you do not consume tofu or soy milk, soy powder and soy protein are hidden in cookies, breads, muffins, veggie burgers and even regular burgers! It can also be found in most microwave meals as well as pizzas. In other words, you might be consuming soy without even noticing. But soy is a super-food, right? Far from it!
More than 90% of soy in the US is genetically modified. Even if you are not concerned about the implications of GMOs in the human body, or if you choose to consume non-GMO, organic soy products, you should still be worried. When the soy fad started about a decade ago, advertisers failed to inform us about a small detail. This health food, consumed by many cultures in Asia for thousands of years, has been consumed fermented. Tofu, soy milk, soy protein and other soy-based fillers are not fermented, which is why they are dangerous.
Soy comes from a plant, which produces soybeans. These beans contain anti-nutrients, such as phytates, trypsin inhibitors, saponins and phytoestrogens. Fermentation renders those anti-nutrients harmless. Phytoestrogens are quite dangerous for men's health, as they interfere with hormones and cause testosterone levels to drop. Testosterone is crucial for men -that's why it is also called "the male hormone"- and it is important to ensure strong bones, a healthy sex drive and muscle development. Some studies have linked soy consumption with low testosterone levels, low sperm count and even infertility. A study in rats has found that when the mother consumed soy, the reproductive system of the male offspring was underdeveloped. There are also studies that show no change in testosterone levels, but with such controversy and existing scientific proof, why would you risk your health? It is good to keep in mind that soy producers are quite willing to fund studies that prove soy harmless as well.
Especially if you are vegetarian or vegan and you have been consuming a lot of soy in the form of soy milk or even soy-based protein powders, in order to gain muscle, you might want to get your testosterone checked, as well as your thyroid function. The thyroid gland needs iodine in order to function properly and soy inhibits iodine absorption. A thyroid that does not function properly can cause anything from chronic fatigue to digestive issues and weight control issues. For people who already have diagnosed thyroid issues, doctors suggest avoiding all forms of soy, including the fermented ones.
So if not soy, then what? It really depends why you have been consuming soy in the first place and what your dietary needs are. If you are vegan or lactose intolerant, you can substitute soy milk for oat, hemp, rice, almond or coconut milk. If it is protein you are looking for, then two tablespoons of raw hemp powder in a smoothie per day will give you all the protein you will need. And if you want to up your testosterone levels to get back your sex drive and build muscle faster, then natural testosterone supplements such as advanced test-o-boost can help you counter the effect of soy.
So from now on try to keep your eyes open for hidden soy in processed goods and avoid it as much as you can. Sticking to a whole foods diet is your best bet to keep soy out of your body and your testosterone levels high.
Susan is a full-time freelance writer. She is an avid traveler and reader and enjoys writing on health & fitness, travel, parenting, relationships and personal development.
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