Tofu Poisonous?!
Tofu Poisonous?
Can anyone clear up some unhealthy news about tofu, which I've heard from various sources? Is it due to the mass production method? I've seen the article in the following link, but just like to hear others opinions, and facts before I stop eating tofu.
(The Trouble with Tofu and the Brain) www.becomehealthynow.com/artic...
Answers:
This looks like an advertisement for something.
Tofu has been around for about 2000-3000 years and millions of Asian people have been eating it during that time. That seems like more useful info than any random person putting up $10 to host a website.
Of course you should minimize GMO soy and processed soy foods, which are new items. I generally stick with the traditional Asian tofu and soy products.
That site above also claims that Chiropractic medicine is legitimate; I would be careful of what they say. Here's their mission:
"My [becomehealthynow.com] purpose is to reach thousands of public to transform the means in which they take care of their body to a more natural way through the use of Chiropractic and clinical nutrition; to not depend on drugs as the solution to restore health; to educate the public as to how their body works to make them more cause over it; to get the public under the care of competent natural health care practitioners."
The concern scientists have with soy is not soy itself, but substances added to soy like isoflavones:
"Much of the research to date has examined dietary soy in the form of whole foods such as tofu, "soymilk," or as soy protein added to foods, and the public health community mostly concurs that these whole foods can be worthwhile additions to a healthy diet. The recently raised concerns, however, focus on specific components of soy, such as the soy isoflavones daidzein and genistein, not the whole food or intact soy protein. These chemicals, available over the counter in pills and powders, are often advertised as dietary supplements for use by women to help lessen menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes.
The problem, researchers say, is that isoflavones are phytoestrogens, a weak form of estrogen that could have a drug-like effect in the body. This may be pronounced in postmenopausal women, and some studies suggest that high isoflavone levels might increase the risk of cancer, particularly breast cancer. Research data, however, are far from conclusive, and some studies show just the opposite--that under some conditions, soy may help prevent breast cancer. It is this scientific conundrum, where evidence simultaneously points to benefits and possible risks, that is causing some researchers to urge caution."
Tofu is perfectly healthy but in excess causes constipation. It is not poisonous.
I know a lot of people with Parkinson's and Alzheimer's and Thyroid problems who never heard of a soybean. They were not vegetarians. They were/are meat eaters. Does this mean meat eating causes Parkinsons and Alzheimers and thyroid problems? No. It means we don't know all the answers to these problems yet. Some of it may even be genetic. Scientists have been able to show some genetic links to Parkinsons and to Alzheimers at least.
The story may be somewhat true, but you could do this with any food and find something slightly bad about it. In general it is always best to balance out your diet and not overeat any one item.I have seen claims that soy can help lower cholesterol and help hot flashes, so there is some good to be said about it.