If you’re like me, over the past few years seems to go from one end of the spectrum to one of the healthiest foods to the other end of the least healthiest foods, with even some professionals claiming that the bean can cause anything from thyroid damage to pancreatic cancer. So who’s right? Should we avoid?

Well, to break it down quickly, eating traditional foods such as miso, tofu and others in the amounts eaten by Asian people for thousands of years not only poses absolutely NO threat to your health but (according to thousands of scientific studies) may help protect you from many chronic diseases, including heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis, kidney disease, and many others. On the other hand, eating some of the recently “invented” foods that are made from -and there are thousands of these!-Is a different story altogether.

Health Benefits

So I am sure we’ve all heard has many powerful components such as protein
and fiber. But’s most distinctive health giving compounds are -isoflavones which all have a wide variety of health benefits including the following:

Heart Health

Many studies show that regular intake of foods lowers LDL cholesterol and heart harming triglycerides (another blood fat) and increases HDL cholesterol-lowering the risk for heart disease. Surprise!!

Kidney Disease

Again, dozens of studies show that is a nutritional ally for diabetes patients with slowing the the condition of kidney disease.

Cancer

Research shows that intake can help prevent breast cancer and improve the chances of survival in women diagnosed with breast cancer. Studies also links to lower risk for prostate, colon, and lung cancers.

Check this out.

Isoflavones are phytoestrogens which are estrogen plant-like compounds. A lot of people are giving a bad rap because of the estrogen type compounds however, phytoestrogens are only about 1/400th the strength of estrogen-and have all the anti-estrogen properties. The American Cancer Society explains that phytoestrogens can block more potent natural estrogens from binding to estrogen receptors in the breast cells. (And other areas in the body as well. When non plant estrogen bonds to estrogen receptors, it can spur on breast cancer and other cancers). Phytoestrogens also stimulate production of protein that binds estrogen in the blood so that it is less able to bind to the receptor. In addition, factors in can also slow cancer cell proliferation (cells dividing and multiplying)… These Can stimulate the death of cancer cells, block the formation of new blood vessels to a tumor, and repair many of the genes linked to the development of cancer.

Osteoporosis

Regular intake of can help build bone mass, preventing or slowing this bone-eroding disease.

So… How much should you eat?

I recommend eating (or drinking) 3 to 4 weekly servings of traditional “good” foods. (See list below). That amount seems to deliver the daily amount of isoflavones eaten in traditional eastern cultures and the amount that matches the levels in studies that show benefits from intake. One thing I have sort of picked up on is to NOT use isoflavones supplements for this purpose. You can get the benefits of from foods and do not need any supplementation to get them. Just be aware that certain foods are bad for you and here is the worst in the best.

BAD

It seems that the worst products out there are margarines and shortenings made from partially hydrogenated bean oil. These contain the dreaded trans fat, which hardens and clogs arteries, increasing the risk for heart attack and stroke. And many packaged foods-crackers, cookies, canned food, frozen entrées, chips, and many, MANY more-contain partially hydrogenated bean oil. Minimize or, take my advice, and eliminate them all from your diet.

Another “bad for you” type of is processed protein, such as protein isolate, protein concentrate, texturized vegetable protein and hydrolyzed vegetable protein-ingredients that you will find in many processed foods ranging from nutritional powders to energy bars to veggie burgers.

GOOD

Traditional foods are the way to go. When possible, look for foods that are organic and do not contain any GMOs. No one really knows the true affects that GMO foods might have on our health but, animal studies have linked them to infertility, immune problems, digestive disorders and many other issues. Human studies do show that they may increase the incidence of food allergies but we’re still not completely sure what else lies ahead. Traditional foods as follows:

Miso (fermented bean paste)

Asian cultures figured out thousands of years ago that soaking, sprouting or fermented bean neutralizes the antinutrients in that can actually cause interference with digestion. Miso is such a food. And miso soup, that we’ve all heard of and probably have had ourselves, is a common dietary mainstay for many Japanese people. One Japanese study even showed that women who ate three or more bowls of miso soup a day at a 54% lower risk for breast cancer and women who only ate one.

Tempeh (fermented beans formed into a patty)

It’s greatest benefit? This food is a huge, rich source of protein. Is also been linked to protecting from neurological damage and memory loss when they ate tempeh.

Tofu (bean curd)

Tofu is coagulated milk pressed into soft white blocks. That’s why I like to eat it like this-marinated then make a wrap with some veggies and plum sauce, or feel free to lightly sauté in a pan. Get creative, it’s incredibly versatile.

Milk

Make sure that it is organic, free of GMOs. Easy enough.

Edamame (green, immature beans that are generally steamed)

Why eat them immature …? They contain fewer toxins the mature beans.

Allergic to Soy?

Symptoms developed within minutes to hours after eating and include mouth tingling, hives or itching, swelling of the tongue, lips, vocal chords, and trouble breathing, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting. A severe reaction to knows as anaphylaxis is actually quite rare. (This would include constriction of the airways, rapid pulse, and dizziness) and warrants emergency treatment. However, in a lot of cases you may not actually be allergic to, but might have a sensitivity to it. Which is different. These symptoms do include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea but appear gradually-could even be days after ingestion-and usually happen when you eat too much or too often. If you have a sensitivity, determine the amount you can eat without symptoms and limit your intake.

Request A Consultation

Request a FREE consultation today to see how we can help make your moves!

Categories

facebook