Soy Benefits? Prove it!

Soy research, what does science say?

Myth 3: No evidence of health benefits of soy

Truth is, plenty of evidence suggests that adding soy foods to your diet has many proven health benefits including Better Sleep, Improved Heart Health, Reducing Osteoporosis, Minimizing Menopause Symptoms, Reducing Some Diseases, Improving Fertility, and more.

First things First, It's a Legume!

Soybeans are of  the legume family which includes beans, peas, and lentils, but soybeans are truly unique because they are much higher in protein and fat than other beans and lower in carbohydrates.  The healthy, yes very healthy fat in soybeans is a combination of heart-healthy essential polyunsaturated omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. Soybeans one of the few plant foods to provide both of these essential fatty acids. The carbohydrates in soy are mostly simple sugars that have been shown to act as prebiotics which stimulate the growth of healthy bacteria in the colon. Soy foods are also a good source of vitamins, including the B-vitamins, which give us energy and offer heart health benefits and more.  In addition soy foods are also a great source of minerals such as potassium, iron and calcium. To include soy into your diet, many recommend non-GMO products including soybeans; also called edamame, miso, tofu, soy protein powder, soy milk, tempeh, and soy flour.

Soy Health Benefits

Osteoporosis-Helps reduce bone fractures

Menopause-Reduces severity & frequency of hot flashes by 50%

Prostate-Lowers the risk of Prostate cancer

Heart Disease-Decreases LDL cholesterol (the bad)

Boosts, HDL cholesterol (the good)

Reduces triglyceride levels

Lowers Blood Pressure

Promotes Artery Health

Skin Health-Increases elasticity & collagen synthesis, improves skin appearance

 Breast Cancer-Soy isoflavones help decrease breast cancer risk

Supports-Healthy Immune System

Fertility-May offset BPA's effect on Fertility

Want to learn more about the health benefits of soy?  Don't be sold on misleading claims! Do the research, read the clinical studies and get the facts. Here are a few great resources:

Soy Connection 

Soy Nutrition Institute 

Soyfoods Association of North America

Enjoy some Soy today! I enjoy a variety of soy foods, but by far my favorite is the Shaklee 180 Life Mix. I love that Shaklee uses non-GMO soy, a cold water wash cleansing process, and includes nothing artificial. I also love that every flavor truly tastes great on its own or mixed into a fruit or veggie smoothie. Visit link below for additional details and be soy healthy!

Shaklee 180 mix offers 23g non-GMO soy protein

Soy & Thyroid-Cause for Concern?

Soy! Myths vs. Facts

Myth 02: Soy Causes Thyroid Problems 

The thyroid gland is located below the Adam's apple in the lower part of the neck and wraps around the windpipe (trachea). 

The thyroid is a small gland in your neck that makes and stores hormones that help regulate heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and the rate your body uses energy from food.

So even though this little butterfly shaped glad is small, it is large with responsibility!

Just like the rest of our body, our thyroid gland performs best when we get enough sleep, eat well, stress less, and exercise several times per week.  There are however thyroid conditions and diseases that seem to be on the rise.  If you have a concern about your thyroid or want to learn more, click link below~

Is Your Thyroid Abnormal?

It's hard to tell if you have thyroid abnormalities. You might feel run down and tired, or have what is known as "brain fog." You may be gaining weight, pregnant, or experiencing hair loss. Others may feel "hyper," anxious, or sweat a lot more than usual. All of these are common symptoms of thyroid disorders. The thyroid gland regulates many processes within the body, and women are particularly likely to have disorders that affect the function of this essential gland. Recognizing and treating these conditions is critical for optimum health and preventing long-term health problems.

Where did all this negative hype come from anyway?

According to Dr. Mark Hyman and his article, How Soy Can Kill You and Save Your Life

So what about Soy & Thyroid? think this claim makes a mountain out of a molehill. Yes, there’s no doubt that soy can affect your thyroid gland — the real question is, how much does it take? If you’ve read that soy is bad for your thyroid, you’re probably reading claims based on a few poorly-designed studies that have been blown out of proportion.

Instead, consider this: A review of the research found no significant effects of soy on the thyroid except in people who are iodine deficient — a condition that is rare in this country.

Another well-designed study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (iii) studied the effect of realistic amounts of soy protein on hormones, including thyroid hormone. It found that soy had no significant effects on these hormones.

Based on my assessment of this and other research, I am convinced that normal amounts of traditional soy foods pose no risk to thyroid function.

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So to recap, many clinical studies that have confirmed that consuming soy foods like tofu, soy protein, and soy isoflavones absolutely safe!