After the WHI Study resulted in women's abandoning estrogen replacementt therapy after menopause, the use of soy-based phytoestrogens became popular. Today's NY Times, however, asks if it's it's safe to eat soy.
... As far as any downside, most of the health concerns about soy stem from its concentration of phytoestrogens, a group of natural compounds that resemble estrogen chemically. Some experts have questioned whether soy might lower testosterone levels in men and cause problems for women who have estrogen-sensitive breast cancers. Animal studies have found, for example, that large doses of phytoestrogens can fuel the growth of tumors.
It should be pointed out that soy and other phytoestrogens have only weak estrogenic effects so cancer concerns are probably overblown. In fact, there is some evidence that moderate soy intake may actually decrease cancer risk. There is one caveat. This only holds for soy-based food. Supplements are highly concentrated and poorly studied so all bets are off.
Remember, if something is truly all-natural, why does it come in a factory-sealed bottle?
Here's to your health.
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