HELP-WITH SOY PRODUCTS

some folk are intolerant to soy or even allergic but it's rare, i think. it all depends on what type of product you are eating.....for example, tofu in all its forms is very very easy to digest but soybeans like edame that are crunchy may not be. miso is easy to digest but tempeh is not. and so forth. also, be very careful about the soy products you buy. unless they're organic and certified non genetically modified, you're in trouble. the highest use of pesticides and so forth for plant foods in this country are soy, grapes, cherries and citrus. buy tofu from your health food store or organic at your supermarket if they carry it. here's a recipe for you that works for me and i have it about three times per week for breakfast or early lunch at home: buy instant rice noodles of the Thai variety, boil them up, add firm tofu cut into chunks, add some sesame oil (organic only or you get even worse poisons) and perhaps some Braggs Amino Acids, if you have any leftover scallions or greens, add them too. and voila! it's delicious, cheap, and good for you. i also eat a lot of seaweed with it too. which makes me think, i'm going to post something on sea greens right now. good luck, g-

No, I disagree totally. SOY IS HARMFULL. I will post an article [below] for your perusal. Generally, avoid all Genetically modified foods, they have not been proven safe, but many reports shows that the new GM soy IS actually harmfull. We do not see those reports on mainstream channels. Where do the others get their info? They didn't, because it is not out there - other than some dis-information I suppose. Do you really trust a plant that isn't not hurt by Roundup pesticide, and that same pesticide remains in the food we eat then? C'mon people, protect yourself. They are just making a profit, they do not have your health in mind. [This is true for the food processors as well as the pharmaceutical industry in many cases] Article [sorry about the length, print it off and leave it for others to see]: "The World's Most Vicious MACC Attack" MACC - multinational agriculture and chemical corporations)Up until now I never dreamed there could be anything worse than the chemical catastrophes we have experienced in this century, but I was wrong, for at least with chemical sensitivity you can find evidence for it's bioacumulation in the body, and get rid of it. On the other hand there is a newer plague that is nearly impossible to detect and it is irreversible. Worse, it causes an unmistakable, inescapable domino effect. GENETIC ENGINEERING is the culprit. You probably were first aware of genetic engineering when I told you about Monsanto inserting genes from plants of unrelated species into the soybean plant to make it resistant to the potent herbicide, Roundup glyphosate]. The Roundup resistant soybean seed can now be heavily sprayed with Roundup to kill weeds, and never damage the soybean. However, the beans do pack quite a wallop for those who ingest them because they are heavily contaminated with the toxic herbicide, Roundup. These genetically modified soybean products, which compriseabout 80% of the beans available, have been found in most baby formulas including Carnation, Similac, Enfamil, Isomil, and Neocare as well as Doritos, Fritos, vegetable oils, soybean oil, margarine, and much more. As well, one of the genes is from the petunia plant which is a nightshade.That means folks with nightshade-induced arthritis can now get arthritis from soybean products. When Monsanto inserted the Brazil nut gene into soy, folks allergic to Brazil nuts were suddenly anaphylaxis [serious life threatening reaction where one is not able to breathe] from soybean. They quickly removed the genebecause the symptom was so dramatic. Unfortunately, genetic engineering is not limited to a simple matter of trying to improve upon a few species of plant food. For when a gene from one species is placed in a wholly different animal or plant, you need a vector, or something that will carry that gene into the genetic factory of the unrelated organism. Oftentimes a VIRUS is used, since a virus is merely a piece of genetic material with a protein coat that is so small that it can easily "infect"other genetic material.Inserted Into Your FoodCancer in chickens, often results from infection with the Rous Sarcoma virus. Hold your seat, for you'll probably find this as difficult to believe as I did. Scientists who make money for companies through genetic engineering have decided there is no problem with using this chicken cancer virus as a vector or carrier to implant the growth hormone gene into farmed fish so they will grow faster.The problem is that once inside the fish, this virus can persist and infect the next host, you, that eats that fish. Scientists glibly say that there is no danger here and can get away with it because the U.S Government does not require any testing or proof of the safety of genetically engineered foods. And the scary part is farfrom over. Leukemia virus in chicken has been used as a vector to carry genes, many of which are human, into developing poultry. In addition, a retrovirus was used as a virus vector in pigs to insert human fetal cells to grow aortas for transplantation into humans. These have ledto infections in humans with the pig's retrovirus. Have they lost their minds and all ethics?These viruses can also combine with one another to create new plant and animal diseases. And more important, foreign genetic material from these viruses can be absorbed through our intestines and become incorporated into the cells of our own bodies creating new diseases in us. Wow! What a sci-fi nightmare!Genes inserted into plants are put there to make them resistant to certain pests, pesticides, herbicides or antibiotics. But these vectors or gene transporters can also infect the bacteria and other organisms in our intestinal tracts. Creating a new antibiotic resistance in them. How would you like to be harboring Klebsiella orCandida in your gut that is resistant to all treatments?If that weren't enough of a problem, one of the most common genes inserted into plants is the Bt gene. Bt stands for Bacillus thuringiensis, a particular bacteria that secretes a toxin that kills many types of pests that infect plants. The problem is that this toxin, once inside some people makes them extremely ill. It can mimic the symptoms of night- shades where you seemingly overnighthave to crawl to the bathroom for days because of such sore body muscles and joints. As with a nightshade attack [November 1999 issue] days or weeks later it can end as precipitously as it began, baffling every physician. The Bt gene has been put in potatoes, corn and not onlyhave soybeans become Roundup resistant but so has the sugar beet from which vitamin C powder can be made.Genes have been put into tomatoes to change their ripening time, into cotton [used in junk food oil called vegetable oil, as on roasted nuts given out on airlines] to make that plant resistant to pesticides. Canola oil is another product of genetic engineering and should never be ingested.In 1994 the U.S FDA approved the genetically engineered hormone rBGH which is a growth hormone designed to increase milk production in cows. This growth hormone caused increased mastitis and need for antibiotics [which go into the milk] and as well over 800 farmers using it reported adverse health problems in their cows. Monsanto,the developer, tried to bribe Health Canada Govt. officials with several million dollars to approve this hormone which is used by about a third of U.S. farmers.The prestigious medical journal, Lancet [May 9,1998], shows that breast cancer is SEVEN times higher in women with tiny increases in growth hormone, Insulin like Growth Factor [IGF-1], which comes from cows injected with BGH. In January 1996 the International Journal of Health Sciences reported that IGF-1 concentrations are ten timeshigher in BGH milk and can be absorbed through our intestines and increase our risk of cancer.As well, there is evidence that it has caused abnormal cysts on the thyroid gland and in the prostate gland and a myriad of other symptoms. There is no turning back. By forcing genes from one species to another entirely unrelated species, we are creating new entities. This is another example of the arrogance and ignorance of man when he thinks that he can one-up God and create an improvedorganism. There are so many fallacies with this reasoning that over a dozen books have already been written to begin to collate much of the evidence against genetically modified organisms. The difficulty is that there are not enough people even aware of the problem to make asignificant impact. By the time the damage is done it will be to late. It's not like cleaning up a lake from decades of pollution. Once we have [1] lost thousands of species of plants, [2] driven all small farmers out ofbusiness, [3] created Frankenstein foods, [4] super weeds resistant to all herbicides, [5] plants resistant to pesticides, [6] new viruses and new illnesses in humans, there will be no turning back. You might be surprised as I was to find that there is no testing required even after these and many more facts have come to light. Genetically modified foods are already unavoidable and there is absolutely no labeling required. We are already eating genetically modified foods, as 60% of processed foods now contain at least one genetically modified food. A common snack might be chips with firefly gene or potato chips withchicken gene [watch out for leukemia and sarcoma, muscle cancer, virus genes]. Or perhaps you like salsa with tomato having a flounder gene. A common meal might include creamy broccoli soup with a bacteria gene and a salad made with canola oil, vegetable oil or soybean oil, all GMO products. People like myself who are nightshade sensitive are really out of luck because the tobacco gene is used in lettuce and cucumbers and the petunia gene is used in soybeans and carrots. Folks with celiac disease might be fooled because walnuts can have the barley gene inthem. And some foods like strawberries have "undisclosed genes" so all bets are off. Would we expect anything different from an industry that has carte blanche regulation-free control over our total food supply? Youmight think cheese is a safe food but they've genetically engineered bacterial rennet. Apple juice can have the silkworm gene and grapes can contain a virus gene. Well including trout, salmon, catfish, bass and even shrimp. In May of 1999, three giant multinational food companies announced they would no longer market genetically engineered foods or their ingredients in England, because the Limeys were smart enough to protest, so guess who will get the leftovers? U.S. Proponents of GMO foods say they will lessen the amount of pesticides that must be used, but that is not true. Didn't we already fall for this line with the promise that new pesticides would reduce the need for others? First of all many of the toxins that plants have been genetically manipulated or forced to produce also kill beneficial things like ladybugs so that even more pesticides are needed to do the job that they would have done. These genes can also spread from the crops tothe weeds making the weeds more resistant and stronger than ever, creating an epidemic of super weeds.Also disturbing is a report that Monsanto's Roundup ready resistant GE soybeans have higher than normal levels of estrogen. Is this something we want for male babies growing up on soybean formula? As well, some of the viruses used as vectors for genes and inserted into plants to make them virus resistant can be combined with genetic material from another invading virus [as from a cold]forming a brand new more virulent virus and creating a new fatal epidemic that has never before been seen.Clearly NAFTA has allowed our illegal "recycled" pesticides access to us, while our FDA and USDA cannot police what they already have on their plates, much less handle the billion dollar graft associated with genetic engineering that is so carefully documented in BEYOND EVOLUTION. The FDA has allowed Olestra into your foods, which has no proven ability to decrease the rampant obesity. But it does decrease you absorption of priceless nutrients like vitamin E, D, and K that are absolutely crucial in inhibiting the top two most common causes ofdeath and disease, arteriosclerosis and cancer.In the past we have talked about how many people are not "Better Through Chemistry" as DuPont's old motto suggested. Because many have lost loved ones to cancer and other diseases caused by environmental chemicals, they have become "bitter through chemistry". These chemicals are allowed in our air, food and water so that multinational corporations can make huge profits. Now withthe wildfire spread of genetic engineering, small farms will fade into extinction as multinational agriculture and chemical corporations [MACC] gain control over all of your food. Are you ready for the greatest MACC attack in the history of the world? Worse than chemical pollution ever thought of being, genetic pollution has the irreversible potential and probability of changing the very nature of all of or food and even our own genetics. As veterinarian, Michael W Fox, warns in his excellent and highly recommended book, BEYOND EVOLUTION [which details and references the dangers of GMO foods], our only chance to save ourselves and the future is with people power.But uninformed people are powerless. Multinational corporations are changing our food and animals and they have free reign. They're not accountable to anyone since they do not have to label their foods and they are not required to do any safety testing. It is irreversible, unstoppable and has the capability of snowballing usinto a veritable Jurassic Park. You vote with your shopping basket and can make your voice heard byletting your legislators know that you want all geneticallyengineered food labeled and all engineering stopped until there are appropriate studies done on the long range human side effects and safety.Alyssa Hintonmailto:alyssahinton###earthlink.net http://www.alyssahinton.com

I happen to believe Soy is one of the worst things that has happened to us. It's cheap, plain and simple. And in the food industry world, profit is the name of the game. We have falsely been made to believe it is the closest thing to the fountain of youth. But if you want to read something that will knock your socks off (The Truth) go to: http://www.westonaprice.org/soy/index.html First read the article "Tragedy or Hype" (shown in one of the boxes at the lower part of the page). This Weston A. Price is a non-profit organization that I was put onto years ago by an exec of one of the largest natural food chains in the U.S. Ask anyone in the "know" if they will touch soy and they will tell you "NO". There are plenty of people allergic to soy, and the numbers are growing as we are bombarded by it in almost everything we eat. (Just read the labels!). With that little said, I beg you to read the info on this web site. It will be an eye opener. BTW, I am menopausal as well, but when I started avoiding all soy I started feeling much better, with more energy and with no aches and pains (especially in the legs) that I used to get. I know a lot of people use soy substitutes if avoiding dairy. I just avoid the dairy AND the soy, and stick to the rice products. Rice is rather harmless (especially organically grown) and has been feeding the world's peoples for centuries. Soy was only meant to replenish the soil inbetween crops and to feed animals!!!Good luck.................and go with your "gut" feel on things.

Ghitta, I couldn't agree MORE with you on eating organic, and staying away from GMO foods if at all possible. All I'm saying is that for some, soy is an allergic trigger, not to mention the affect it has on the thyroid. With Smittenkitten, there MAY be a connection to her leg cramps and soy and trying avoidance wouldn't hurt to see if it is so. (There is a bill introduced by Orin Hatch of Utah to ban soy in infant formula because of the increase in hypothyroidism in infants. Hypothyroidism hits nearly one in 4 menopausal women, we certainly don't need it in our infants.) It is my understanding that Asian women have less menopausal symptoms (and breast cancer) in part, because of the low/almost no fat, mostly vegetarian diets, but you are right, soy does help them. I too thought the Asian consumption of soy was high. As it turns out, not so, (except for fermented soy, like miso and soy sauce). A quote from the article I recommended: "Just how much soy do Asians eat? A 1998 survey found that the average daily amount of soy consumed in Japan was about 8 grams for men and 7 for women�less than two teaspoons.40 The famous Cornell China Study, conducted by Colin T. Campbell, found that legume consumption in China varied from 0 to 58 grams per day, with a mean of about 12.41 Assuming that two-thirds of legume consumption is soy, then the maximum consumption is about 40 grams or less than 3 tablespoons per day, with an average consumption of about 9 grams, less than two teaspoons. A survey conducted in the 1930s found that soy foods accounted for only 1.5 percent of calories in the Chinese diet, compared with 65 percent of calories for pork.42 (Asians traditionally cooked in lard, not vegetable oil!) Traditionally fermented soy products make a delicious, natural seasoning that may supply important nutritional factors in the Asian diet. But except in times of famine, Asians consume soy products only in small amounts as condiments, and not as a replacement for animal foods�with one exception Celibate monks living in monasteries and leading a vegetarian life style find soy foods quite helpful because they dampen libido.The new FDA ruling does not allow any claims about cancer prevention on food packages, but that has not restrained the industry and its marketeers from making them in their promotional literature. �In addition to protecting the heart,� says a vitamin company brochure, �soy has demonstrated powerful anticancer benefits. . . the Japanese, who eat 30 times as much soy as North Americans, have a lower incidence of cancers of the breast, uterus and prostate.�37 (The numbers are the footnotes, which I urge taking a look at.) Indeed they do. But the Japanese, and Asians in general, have much higher rates of other types of cancer, particularly cancer of the esophagus, stomach, pancreas and liver.38 Asians throughout the world also have high rates of thyroid cancer.39 (footnote) The logic that links low rates of reproductive cancers to soy consumption requires attribution of high rates of thryoid and digestive cancers to the same foods, particularly as soy causes these types of cancers in laboratory rats."If you have good sources and brands of organically produced soy products, you may want to post them for THOSE folks who ARE believers in soy. I just happen not to be one of them.BTW, not every article at the web site I mentioned I agree with, but you may want to take a look at another portion of the web site: http://www.westonaprice.org/farming/farming_and_ranch.html to see what YOU think about their farming theories. I would be interested in your take.