The humble soybean, a staple of
Asian cuisine for centuries, has made
Significant advances among the health conscious
consumers in the West.
Soy food products also form the
nutritional basis for many
vegetarians who have ethics
qualms about eating meat or what
they simply want to spiritualize the body.
Soybeans are a nutrient-rich food that contains all the essential elements
amino acids required by our body, making it a complete
protein. Soy foods are high in fiber with no cholesterol.
In addition to the many vitamins and minerals, soy foods also
contain phytochemical compounds (such as isoflavones) that
have been linked to numerous health benefits.
In particular, soy isoflavones lower LDL (bad) cholesterol.
and decrease blood clotting, which decreases the risk of
myocardial infarction and stroke. Research at the University of Illinois
suggests that soy consumption may help prevent two of the
major complications faced by people with type 2 diabetes (kidney
diseases and heart disease). Soy foods are thought to
improve the body’s ability to retain and absorb calcium in the
bones, helping to prevent osteoporosis.
One of the popular uses of soy foods and supplements in
recent years is the relief of menopausal symptoms. Tea
isoflavones in soy can help regulate estrogen when this hormone
is fluctuating and decreasing. There are reports that soy
it can also lessen the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.
Soy-based foods have been extremely
Useful for people with lactose intolerance.
Lactose intolerance results from
the body’s inability to digest a sugar
called lactose which is present in milk and
dairy products. The American diet
Association estimates that between thirty
and fifty million americans are lactose
intolerant. Symptoms of this common
include abdominal gas, bloating,
stomach cramps and diarrhea. from soy
does not contain lactose, soy-based dairy
Substitutes prevent these digestive upsets
problems.
soy questions
The soyfood bandwagon has bottomed out
a couple of bumps lately. Investigate
at the University of Illinois suggests that
the well-documented health benefits of
soy consumption in Asian cultures may
be largely lost by processing techniques
used in the west.
In particular, the cancer-fighting qualities
soy may not only be absent in
Western soy-based foods and supplements,
but highly processed soy products can actually stimulate growth
of pre-existing estrogen-dependent breast
tumors. The disturbing research was carried out
in mice and is therefore inconclusive
with respect to humans.
Previous research by a team of Dutch
The scientists also highlighted the differences
between highly processed soy foods and
more natural soy diet foods that are
traditionally consumed in Asia. Tea
The Dutch study did not go so far as to suggest
that processed soy products could be
a risk factor for tumor growth.
Edgar Cayce on soy
Edgar Cayce discussed soy-based
foods in fifteen readings given for individuals
of all ages. The readings say
that soy is the best substitute for meat
(257-252).
One of the highlights in this
reading group is the importance of
each individual’s response to himself. For
example, when asked if a thirteen-year-old
the girl should drink soy milk and
not cow’s milk, Cayce stated that this
must be governed by the child himself
appetite. He pointed out that sometimes soy milk
“it doesn’t work well with other influences.”
He went on to say that if
it was a desire for soy milk in preference
to cow’s milk, the system would balance
out (1206-9).
A nine-year-old girl was told that soy
milk was not preferable to cow’s milk.
Follow-up readings one and two years
later they were more favorable towards themselves
milk, finally stating that drinking soy
milk “some of the time we find it is excellent”.
(1179-7) Perhaps the girl’s digestive
the system had changed during that
time to better assimilate soy
Milk. The theme of individuality was
also present in readings for an eight year old
child who was told that, “This is why
body, it would be very good” to replace
soy milk for cow’s milk (1188-7, italics
aggregate). Two other readings for children
(2153-2 and 1206-11) recommended
soy milk.
A couple of curious readings for adults
suggest another peculiar aspect of oneself
Digestion of food related to lifestyle. HAS
forty-eight-year-old woman struggling with menopause asked if she should drink
soy milk. Cayce responded, “This
It depends a lot on the activities of the
body. If there are enough energy
used for physical activities to do
even easier to assimilate, okay.
If these energies are used for activities
that are more mental than physical, it is
wouldn’t be so nice.” (1158-18) Clearly,
this reading may be relevant for women
considering soy products for relief of
menopausal symptoms.
A similar feeling was present in
reading 340-31 given for forty-seven years-
old woman who asked if she
you should alternate the soy bread with
comprehensive. Cayce replied, “I’m Bean
bread is healthy for certain characters
and conditions; as long as the body is
being outdoors, very active, fiery
or dictatorial, then eat soy bread!
But if it’s to stay inside, with more
of normal temperamental reactions,
leave it!” This woman had a long
problem with “spastic colitis”
which we now call irritable bowel syndrome.
These last two examples suggest that
being physically active can be essential
for the correct assimilation of soy foods
for some individuals.
If you include soy foods in your diet
makes sense to you, here’s some soy
options you can consider:
- Choose natural soy products that are processed as little as possible.
- Pay attention to your body’s individual response to soy foods.
- Include soy as part of a broadly balanced diet with an emphasis on fruits and vegetables.
- Make outdoor exercise as much a part of your lifestyle as is reasonably possible.