Soy: Super Food or Troublemaker?

Photo credit: yoppy

People seem to be jumping off the soy boat as quickly as they jumped on as more research is revealed on this once thought super food.

We all know of soy’s good attributes; contains significant amounts of essential amino acids, omega-6 fatty acids, may have a protective effect on the brain and cardiovascular system and is a good source of protein.

The flip side of this coin is that soy is also rich in isoflavones, called genistein and daidzein, which are potent phytoestrogens.  Phytoestrogens, sometimes called "dietary estrogens", are naturally occurring non steroidal plant compounds which can have estrogenic effects on the body.  Because of this, women with breast cancer or a history of the disease should be aware of the risks associated with the use of soy.

Another good reason to take another look at soy is its potentially harmful effects to our gastrointestinal system.  Soy is hard to digest which can cause gas, bloating and other gastro-related issues. 

Soybean oil is widely used as an emollient and emulsifier in cosmetics, to make the product moisturizing and keep ingredients from separating.  Soy also contains natural antioxidants, beneficial in ridding the body of free radicals.

While soy can be beneficial, until further research is done, it would be wise to use products containing soy sparingly.  For dietary use, stick to soy that is in its less processed form, like miso, tempeh or tofu.  And make note, it is very important to be sure that the soy you are using, whether by diet or skin care, is organic, GMO-free and minimally processed.