The Dangers of Soy

Spilling the Beans on Soy Beans

Did you know that genetically modified plants such as soybean, corn, cottonseed and canola contain foreign genes that are forced into their DNA? These genes come from bacteria and virus species, one that has never been in the human food supply.

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are dangerous to the health. It has been linked to thousands and thousands of toxic and allergenic reactions, dead livestock and can do organ and system damages.

An estimated of 70 percent of processed foods in Australia are reported to contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The sad truth is, these products are very rarely labelled to have these ingredients.

How to Avoid GMO Foods?

It’s important that you know where GMOs are most likely to be present. Australia grows genetically modified canola and cotton and both are used as oils. Majority of the GM ingredients in our food come from the US, most of which are already in soy and corn crops grown from GM seeds. Soy and corn are both used to make a variety of food additives and can be found in almost anything that we eat like baked goodies, sauces and even breakfast cereal.

The Danger of GMO Soy

Liver Toxicity

A chronic toxicity study was conducted on rats eating commercialised genetically modified corn alongside glyphosate-based herbicide roundup. The study resulted in severe liver and kidney damage, large tumours and hormonal disturbances in rats fed with GM corn and the low levels of roundup. This study has now been published by Environmental Sciences Europe.

Allergic Reactions

Incorporation of a gene into a plant may unintentionally create a new allergen or may trigger allergic reaction especially in people who are overly sensitive. Food allergy affects approximately 5% of children and 2% of adults and is becoming a public health threat. Allergic reactions usually occur when a normally harmless protein enters the body and stimulates an immune response.

Infant Mortality and Sterility

A study conducted at the Russian Academy of Sciences and the National Association for Gene Security that GMO soybeans may be linked to infant mortality and sterility. Hamsters were used as the subject in the experiment and biologist Alexey V. Surov and colleagues found that after three generations, most of the GMO soy fed hamsters lost the ability to reproduce. Chances of infant mortality rate among hamsters in the GMO soy-fed group was also higher.

Reasons to Avoid Soy

1. Soybeans contain natural toxins or “anti-nutrients”.
2. Soybeans contain haemagglutinin, a clot-promoting substance that cause red blood cells to clump.
3. Soybeans has the highest contamination by pesticides than any other food.
4. Soybeans have high phytic acid, a substance that blocks the uptake of essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, copper, iron and zinc.
5. Soybeans contain high amounts of aluminium.
6. Soy foods have a high concentration of goitrogens which block production of thyroid hormones.
7. Soy contains toxic isoflavones.
8. During spray drying of soy, nitrates are formed and these are potent carcinogens.
9. Soy protein isolates can enlarge the pancreas and thyroid.
10. Eating soy can cause man boobies in blokes and hormonal havoc in women.

The Top 8 Genetically Modified Foods to Avoid

The debate whether GMOs are safe for consumption or not is ongoing and the solution doesn’t seem to be clear about this. Most people are still in doubt whether the food on their table are genetically modified or not.

Other than soy and corn here are 8 genetically modified foods that you need to avoid.

1. Cotton- is considered food since the oil it produces can be consumed. Like corn and soy, cotton has been designed to resist pesticides.
2. Papaya- the virus-resistant variety of papaya was introduced in Hawaii in 1999 and is now spreading around the world.
3. Rice- is the staple food in South East Asia and has now been genetically modified and contains a high amount of Vitamin A. Too much Vitamin A can be harmful for health and must be consumed moderately on a daily basis.
4. Tomatoes- have been genetically modified to extend its shelf life to prevent it from rotting easily. Try to choose organic tomatoes in a jar if possible.
5. Rapeseed- this crop produces what we commonly know as canola oil. It was found out that as much as a third of the total pollen in this crop is genetically modified. Canola oil should be avoided like the plague!
6. Dairy Products- it has been discovered that 22% of cows in the US were injected with genetically modified bovine growth hormone.
7. Potatoes- can also cause organ toxicity.
8. Peas- genetically modified peas can cause immune responses when given to mice and possible even in humans.

Foods that Contain Soy

Now I don’t want you to feel overwhelmed, that’s not my intention at all, but rather informed to make the wisest choice for optimal wellbeing. I’m far from the ‘soy police’, in fact I eat tempeh & tofu very occasionally but I’m aware of the risks. The main thing is to be aware of what foods actually contain soy and try to limit them greatly or even better – remove them completely.

Tofu, tempeh, soy milk/cheese/yoghurt, facon (fake bacon), soy products, plant-based cheese and other plant-based meats etc, vegan products (not all), bread crumbs, cereals, crackers, sauces & marinades, teryaki/soy & tamari sauce, worcestershire sauce, hydrolised plant protein (not Perfect plant protein though), hydrolised soy/vegetable protein, imitation dairy, baby/toddler formula, meal replacements, miso, some nutritional supplements (not Perfect Supplements!), some gravies, some vegetarian dishes, certain margarines, lecithin, thickening agents and more.

I hope you enjoyed the article today and it added some kind of value to your life. Please share this if you liked it and think it may help someone.

Tam x

*Disclaimer: the information in this article is intended purely as information and not health advice. It is not intended to treat, diagnose, prevent or cure and one should always seek expert advice from their trusted health practitioner.