your take on soy

[desperad0]

What are peoples take on soy like soy milk, tofu, bean curd etc.
I am asian and I find that a lot of my meals during the week include some sort of soy substance.
I have soy probably 5-8 times a week and I have heard it increases the estrogen production but than again I have heard it doesn't affect it.
I wanted to find out before I continue this diet

[El Vaquero]

ive heard that too. it's been studied, and it doesn't affect estrogen levels. i just don't think it's the best kind of proteins is all....

Kinda sounds like a girly protein too, don't you think?

[DirtbagDan]

Studies have shown it does increase estrogen, though not EVERYONE is as sensitive or as prone to it.

Soy in trace amounts isn't going to do anything, but if you make a staple of it in your diet can give you estrogenic issues (if you are sensitive to it). As some people have gone so far as to develop gyno from it.

EDIT: El Vaquero, where are you getting your information from? It's completely wrong. Clinical studies have discovered the exact OPPOSITE of what you said.

Here,check this reference:

1. Phytoestrogens and Prostate Disease -- Adlercreutz et al. 130 (3): 658 -- Journal of Nutrition (http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/full/130/3/658S)

"Soybeans contain isoflavones called genistein and daidzein. Soybeans are the most common source of isoflavones genistein and daidzein. Soybean isoflavonoids are the primary sources of phytoestrogens in the human diet that mimic estrogen. Plant lignans associated with high fiber foods such as cereal brans and beans are the principal precursor to mammalian lignans which have an ability to bind to human estrogen sites."

Also, how is it a 'girly protein'??

Soy is one thing that females should stay away from completely. Why do you think after breast cancer treatment that doctors tell the patient to stay away completely from anything containing soy or tofu? Because it has estrogenic promoting effects, and estrogen is the main culprit behind breast cancer (the estrogen binds to receptor sites on breast tissue and tells them to grow, hence why females are highly prone to breast cancer later in life).

I would really like to know where you got your information, because it completely contradicts everything out there; even the information obtained in studies from some of the most prestigeous and well-respected medical journals and medical communities worldwide... otherwise hospitals wouldn't be telling breast cancer patients to stay away from soy.

Why do you think they also perscribe those same patients Nolvadex (aka Tamoxifen Citrate)? Because it's an anti-estrogen that blocks estrogen from binding to those same receptor sites on breast tissue, hence preventing cancer from becoming a problem again...

[desperad0]

Well as long as i dont have it way too often like i said 5-8 times a week or less? and its not like i have htat as my main protein source, I eat tons of meat.

[Venom]

Just from a protein quality standpoint, it is lower in several essential amino acids compared to whey and milk, particularly methionine. And results show hypertrophy and performance gains are not as great when taking soy rather than a source of protein such as milk. It is not a perfect source of protein, but it is still pretty good.

[desperad0]

well its not a main protein source but its somethin to eat on the side.
i am just concerened about raising my estrogen levels.

[Venom]

A couple servings won't have a major impact on estrogen.

[sucramdw]

Soy might be inferior, but my muscles are blowing up and I am a vegetarian! Although whey protein and methionine pills are staples.