Question about Soy

[Wound Warrior]

Have any of you heard of a correlation between soy products and hypothyroidism? I'm thinking I've read about a cause and effect between the two. Thanks in advance! Luna

[Christina R.N.]

Yes, I have heard this. My endocrinologist has told me to stay away from soy. I am hypothyroid and also have PCOS and am to stay away from soy for both conditions. Apparently it's the isoflavones in soy that mimic estrogen that are the problem. I really do find it confusing though. There is so much publicity about soy being good for you too.

[Scarpetta.]

I read about it too, Luna, a couple of years ago. I always warn friends/family who are praising soy that it can really mess with your thyroid functioning. I don't think you even need to have a problem with your thyroid in order for soy to interfere and cause problems.

[Wound Warrior]

Thanks guys! My daughter has auto-immune thyroid disease and she refused to stop eating Lo Mein. Now I can tell her I heard this for certain. It's interesting how soy is promoted for "good health" but no one ever mentions the problems it can create or exacerbate. Thanks again.

Luna

[Christina R.N.]

Lo mein is a chinese egg noodle. Why can't she have it? She shouldn't have tofu or edamame soy beans) but lo mein dishes without these ingredients should be fine. Soy sauce is also okay. It doesn't contain isoflavones.

[Wound Warrior]

OH..thank you Christina! I assumed soy sauce was just as bad as the other soy products.

[Christina R.N.]

The only thing that's bad about soy sauce is the high sodium content! I just double checked my info on soy sauce and it is safe because the fermentation process drastically reduces the isoflavones to minute quantities. According to my endocrinologist, soy lechithin, often used as binder and seen on many ingredients lists is also safe.

[Edson!]

Well if you have a problem with it, stay away from it. Most people, however, don't have a problem with it. The key, like all things, is to take it in balance. Also, you don't want to take calcium supplements, phytoestrogens, bioidentical hormones, or other synthetic hormones directly w/ soy products--particularly if it is a fair amount of soy you are taking. It will block at receptors or will block in the upper GI, thereby rendering them less effective or allowing for less absorption of these things. Take them at a different time from when you are taking your soy shake, tofu, or whatever soy product you are taking.

And too much of anything, even a good thing, can cause problems--even water (as in water intoxication). I simply don't think a person has to have soy more than once a day or a perhaps 3 or 4 times per week. I think variety is key. Isoflavones generally are very safe and healthy, but people need to have variety and to include a lot more various vegetables and fruits.

Oh and also soy sauce generally is very high in sodium. They do have reduced sodium soy sauce. This is what I use when I am cooking something that may require soy sauce.

[PaulaJo]

I use Teriyaki Sauce unstead of Soy Sauce for seasoning. A Tbsp has slightly more sodium than LIGHT Soy Sauce, but it has so much flavor I use much less.

My husband has refused to eat soy products for years and now the doctors are saying he was right, that the isoflavones can exacerbate several of his problems.

[Scarpetta.]

My husband *developed* thyroid problems when he increased his soy intake because he thought it was healthy. Maybe... for some people ... but not for all. Good thread!

[nursey57]

What about soy nuts?-love them. Can they be harmful too? Sometimes I worry about the public's thinking everything natural is good for you- there's no FDA regulation and people tend to think they can use more of a natural food or supplement then recommended. Remember the problems with Tryptophan and some of the chinese herbs?

[Christina R.N.]

Soy nuts contain large quantities of isoflavones, so if you've been advised to stay away from soy then that includes soy nuts.

[nursey57]

Oh darn-thanks Christina.

[kraage]

hello every one

[greeneminem]

Thanks guys! My daughter has auto-immune thyroid disease and she refused to stop eating Lo Mein. Now I can tell her I heard this for certain. It's interesting how soy is promoted for "good health" but no one ever mentions the problems it can create or exacerbate. Thanks again.

Luna

You see this all the time in nutrition for some reason. There is very little fact checking and the errors are never publicized as much as the disproven claims.

FYI mercola's website has an article that states that the fermented soy products (Tofu, Miso paste for soup) are much healthier than the regular ones. Tofu also is high unsaturated fat.