When soy first burst onto the diet scene in the early 1990's, it was hailed as a miracle food. It prevented breast cancer, osteoporosis, hot flashes, heart disease, and prostate cancer, but were all of these claims just hype? New studies show that some of these benefits may have been overstated, and others claim that soy is actually dangerous.
Some people, so enthralled with overstated claims, have made soy the center of an otherwise healthy diet, thus overdosing themselves with soy. "There is a problem when anyone eats too much of one thing," says Barb Johnston, a clinical dietician, "it is important to balance your diet." There really is no substitute for a balanced and healthy diet, and people who have bought into the hype just don't seem to realize it.
New studies show that the claims made by soy advocates have been overstated at the very least. Previous studies have been replaced by new ones that cast doubt on earlier claims. While soy does slightly decrease the chances of getting breast cancer, it doesn't do it enough for doctors to recommend eating it.
New studies also show that it doesn't really lower cholesterol. The Heart Association has pulled back from its earlier stance on soy. It had previously recommended including soy in a diet low in cholesterol and saturated fats. Recently, the heart association has taken a more neutral stance because it doesn't seem to help one way or the other.
The hot flash myth has been dispelled as well. As it turns out, taking a placebo once per day has the same effect as a soy supplement. In addition, soy products may actually cause irregularity in menstrual cycles and ovary production, but it is too early to say. Mice who were given genistein, a nutrient in soy, had problems in that area. Whether humans will develop similar problems is up to debate.
Millions of Americans have spent billions of dollars on soy products in the last decade and a half, and many of the perceived effects aren't even real. Common sense is the real winner here. If you want to stay on a healthy diet then you should cut out unhealthy foods and exercise regularly. There are many new diets that focus on this approach, but whether they are fad diets or good science, only time will tell. Read our balanced diet plan review for more information about current healthy trends in dieting.
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