I had a complete thyroidectomy 55yrs ago.Have been taking a supplement for 41 yrs.Nothing before that,which I believe may have some bearing on my position.I can take a little soy:soy sauce,doesn't seem to affect my well being but anything else,is very hard on my system,I swell up,have indigestion and an all round sense of discomfort.
Thankyou for letting me say this perhaps it may help others.
Patricia Lewis

Thanks for your article, because when I started drinking soy many people were telling me these terrible things you have mentioned. Because we lack conclusive research on the subject of soy, I just use it in moderation.
I am a mother of two small boys and I do steer clear of soy for them because I am not totally convinced that it is good for them. All of my family has lived healthy into their 90's for many generations drinking dairy, so I do tend to lean this way for my family's health!!
Thanks again for your article; it gave me the correct insight for consuming soy in moderation!!

I really appreciated your comments on soy. I am a Holistic Health Counselor, and I use both your books in helping my clients improve their health. Thank you! I also wanted to add that I am completely unable to tolerate soy. I have Celiac Disease and Ulcerative Colitis, so soy is not the only thing I can't digest, but soy gives me particularly strange symptoms including sharp pains and pressure in my left breast. So I stay away from it. However, I have urged my clients to get clear on their own reactions to soy because it can be beneficial. Food seems to affect each person in ways that are specific to them. My three year old boy also has a lot of trouble with soy, so he stopped eating it too. We are also gluten, sugar and dairy free. I was thrilled to see you classify good v. bad soy products, and I will share this information with my clients. Thanks again, Barbara Goldman-Sherman www.askbarbara.com

I strongly disagree with your comments about the safety of soy consumption.

While much is still in debate, such as use in breast cancer patients as well as in hormone replacement, I have many anecdotal stories, as well as informal and formal studies that do link the use of soy with hypothyroidism.

Most notable, a gentleman used soy milk on his cereal each morning. When he had a physical, labs showed hypothyroidism...He examined his eating habits, discontinued the soy milk and his thyroid functions normalized.

There are also several studies that demonstrate the harm of feeding soy formula to infant--damage to developing nervous systems.

Whether these studies use more than the amount a "normal" person would consume, is that not true of almost all studies of foods, medications funded by the FDA???

I, for one, get severe GI cramps when I eat any form of soy--even something as "minimal" as soy lecithin in supplements.

Long term/short term studies show, scientific or not, soy causes problems..

Americans do not consume soy in the same fashion as Asians, who eat it as a condiment. And they also, in general, incorporate sea plants in their diets.

Using it as a significant source of protein by, most notably vegetarians may indeed lead, in the long run, to significant problems.

Newer studies are distinguishing between cultured and uncultured soy, however, suggesting that the cultured forms are healthy....

I feel frustration that soy is being used as a "filler" in almost every prepared food, from spaghetti sauces and canned tuna fish to almost all commercially available dry pet food (and, now moist canned foods). I, and many others, must hunt exhaustingly for foods which do not list soy or textured vegetable protein as an ingredient...

Which brings up an interesting issue--how many pseudonyms does soy have in ingredient lists (similar to issues of all the names for MSG, etc.)?

In some cases I have been told it is mandated as an additive by the FDA as a way to increase linoleic acid levels in those foods. Surely there is a better, safer source, if indeed such additions are truly necessary.

I would prefer to have a choice, even though I do not, as a rule, consume prepared foods....

And there ARE studies that demonstrate the strong possibility the GMO soy is particularly bad....

Robin Scott, MD

I recently did a cleanse through a local wellness center. I decided to limit my dairy and used 1 cup of soy milk three to four times a week with my whole grain cereal. I didn't realize it at the time, but it affected my mentrual cycle and gave me tender, sore breasts continuously for four to sex weeks. Once I removed the soy milk, my sypmtoms cleared.

Lt

What about soy proteins found in popular breakfast cereals?

I have three sons ages 3, 5 and 14. We all eat a bowl of cereal high in fiber and soy protein with soy milk every morning?

Is this the wrong soy that you speak of? Or if it is the right soy, is it too much?

In general, I agree with Dr. Hyman's comments. However, soy is a common allergen like dairy, wheat, eggs, etc. I am one of those "unfortunate" individuals with a soy allergy. I can consume soy sauce without problems because I am allergic only to the protein. Fermentation of the protetin doesn't seem to matter with my system. If I consume any kind of soy protein (tofu, miso, tempeh, etc.), I get indigestion, plus severe muscle and joint pain that I can't handle without drugs. My question is - can substitutes be made for the soy protein that is recommended in Ultrametabolism? I like the diet plan, except for the recommendation of soy. Many dairy substitutes tend to raise the carb count, and some of the nut milks I cannot consume. My best forms of protein for me to consume are cultured dairy and eggs. Anyone else have this problem?

Thank you for your input about soy today. I agree with everything except your blanket statement about avoiding soy protein isolate.

How soy is processed and prepared is the key to whether it's a healthy soy source or not. Soy milk, I believe, is not healthy for us because of how it's prepared. I'm not surprised that your readers are recording adverse reactions to soy milk by many people. Extruded soy products like tempeh should especially be avoided. Heated soy products like soy nuts can be harmful. I've heard that left-over soy in Japanese is the same as the word for "death." It's recommended that we find a local source of freshly prepared tofu.

Likewise, the way a soy protein isolate is prepared is key. Please check out the difference in how the SHAKLEE brand is prepared by the "small university" of scientists there. It is WATER WASHED, not alcohol washed as others are. It is not heated. The goitrogen is removed. It is GUARANTEED non-genetically altered and produced in a pharamaceutical grade facility.

The proof is in the millions (from pregnant and nursing moms on up) who have thrived for years on this complete-protein product. Personally I've been eating this soy protein isolate for almost 13 years--breezing through perimenopause, having no adverse health issues and tons of energy at the age of 61, and having had my mom live 10 years beyond her prognosis.

As you say, there is so much evidence of soy's health benefits. Since I've learned the problems with soy milk and other processed store soy products, I've been helping friends, family, and colleagues understand that they can make a safe and healthful soy milk by mixing water with this "in harmony with nature and good health" soy protein isolate. Our experience is that even people "allergic" to other soy can benefit from it by starting small and increasng slowly.

Thanks for you energy and leadership, Dr. Hyman!

Isn't it interesting that the Soy industry promotes Soy for babies - claiming the estrogen/like hormone issue doesn't exist, and turns around and promotes it for post menopausal women because of the estrogen/like hormone effects??

I was in store in Stuart, Florida, vigorously fanning myself, when a female worker in the store inquired, "Hot flash?". At my affirmative nod, she offered me a tip on a product she had been using that provided her great relief. It is a supplement from the Vitamin Shoppe called 'Super Strength Soy Isoflavones'. Almost from the first two capsules, I have enjoyed immediate relief. My flashes have been reduced, (was having 3 to 6 a day), and some days I don't notice any at all! The only 'side effect' I have been noticing - which was a little problem before taking the supplements - is decreased energy. (The soy bean extract used in product is called Nova Soy). Have you heard of this product, or any side effects associated with this?

Regarding soy & thyroid... I have been hypothyroid since early childhood. A number of years ago I was a fairly strict vegetarian. I used a fair amount of soy; mostly as tofu or soy milk. During that time I developed Hashimoto's Disease [auto-immune thyroid disorder] and eventually became quite ill. I also seemed to develop a sensitivity to soy. My thyroid is severely atrophied and my thyroid /metabolic function remains poor at best. Although soy may not have caused all my problems; it certainly was a contributing factor. For people with Hashimoto's Disease [which causes increased sensitivies to foods, drugs and supplements], I urge caution in using soy. Also use caution in taking supplements that "enhance" the immune system...they may actually over-stimulate the immune system and further damage your thyroid. Thank you. In Peace.

Soy is like poison to me. With exposure, I immediately get vascular inflammation and global intensive aches and pains. Significant cognitive dysfunction is another problem, as well as overwhelming fatigue.

Dr. Mark,

I found your comments on soy very enlightening. May I ask your opinion of soy protein in such supplements as Met-Rx? Would you consider more than two such shakes a day to be in your "no-no" category?
Thanks for a great site full of useful, thoughtful, no-panic information.

6 months ago I was diagnosed with high cholesterol. Seeking an alternative to a statin drug, I saw a Doctor who is also a pharmacologist. He did lots of tests and bloodwork and determined that I am severely allergic to dairy and soy. He gave me your book, Ultraprevention to read and I made significant changes to my diet, eliminating all dairy and eggs, taking vitamin supplements, and eating more whole foods - avoiding processed, white foods wherever possible. I have substituted soy milk for cow's milk. The results have been remarkable. My stomache has always hurt since I was a child and now for the first time it feels great. I have more energy, feel less bloated, and have greatly reduced inflammation in my body. I don't know what role the soy milk has played in my enhanced well-being but it is certainly a part of it.

I've tried several soy products for relief from hot flashes. The only one that has helped me has been a supplement called Healthy Woman that I get at Wal-Mart. It took about a week of consistent use to notice improvement but it helps me tremendously. If I get over confident and think the hot flashes are gone and stop taking the supplement the hot flashes come back. Then it takes another week of consistent supplement use to stop them again. I would classify my hot flashes as moderately severe so I welcome the relief. I don't know what I'd do if they stopped making this product.

I started to disagree with your article until I read further down. The Weston A. Price Foundation, which I often rely on for sound nutritional advice, has raised concerns about soy (see http://www.westonaprice.org/soy/index.html) that you touched on at the end of the article. Eating organically, non-GMO, grown soy in small amounts probably won't hurt you—the fermented versions are actually quite good for you—but the American public has been mislead about soy's being good for you.

I think your article could have been better organized to stress the dangers of soy, especially its pervasive presence in so many foods. Of course, you HAVE repeatedly warned against using processed foods, where the majority of unrecognized soy is present. Shopping the perimeters of the grocery store, as you encourage us to do, is a good way to avoid soy. A lot of people, however, are probably going to think their soy milk is just fine for them, when perhaps people ought to be demanding raw milk from organically pastured cows and meat from animals raised humanely, organically, and free range the way they were intended to be. Instead, some people are going to read your article too quickly and think it's okay to continue consuming soy as their main protein source.

Thanks for your insightful info on soy. I agreed with most everything, except the iodine statement. I am a dietitian/nutritionist and and have recently learned about the rampant iodine defiecency in our counrty. See www.drbrownstein.com for more info and his excellent book on iodine. The Japanese get ~12.5 milligrams of iodine from their daily diet of seafood and seaweed (not a pitiful 150 micrograms which is our RDA!). I've started testing iodine status with a challenge urine test and almost everyone comes back low. To help with mineral balance, I recommend unrefined Celtic Sea Salt or Redmann's Sea Salt to my patients and supplement with Iodoral after testing. Dr Abrahams has all the iodine research posted on his site--www.optimox.com (he sells the Iodoral to licenced professionals and MDs only). Iodoral is also available at www.vrp.com.
Personally, I have benefitted from Iodoral repalcement--no longer have fibroids in my breast, cold hands and feet and low energy in the morning.

I love your Ultrametabolism book and have been recommending it to colleauges and patients alike! Best regards, Julie Burns MS, RD, CCN

I have used Soy for years, my Daughter was allergic to milk and she has been on some kind of soy most of her life, she is 27 years old now and we haven't seen a problem, and as for myself,i have always had it in my diet in some way, but i stopped,I do not remember why, but my breast started to get tender just before my period, something i had never experienced before, i mention it to a friend of mine and she suggested that i drink soy milk atleast one glass a week, or eat something with soy in it, i started doing this and i have never had a problem with tender breast again, it was a study she had read

I've tried using soy products on several occassions and noticed that I just didn't "feel" well afterwards, but really didn't think much of it. I've also noticed that I feel the same way after eating Japanese food but not after eating Chinese food. I now realize that I don't use soy sauce on Chinese food, but I use a LOT of it on Japanese food. I am now in menopause and have been experiencing hot flashes. So, I decided to try the OTC products containing soy to relieve them. What I noticed was that everytime I take the pills, I develop hard, itchy, pimple-like bumps all over my arms. I stop taking the pills and the bumps go away. After reading several of these comments, I believe I may be one of those people who is also allergic to soy. It's something to think about. I will certainly pass this information on to my children and grandchildren. My mother (who is very old world European) mentioned that she used Licorice and that helped relieve her symptoms. Think I'll give that a try instead. Thanks for making this blog available Dr. Hyman.

Dr. Hyman,

Thank you so much for the thoughtful review of the effects of soy. I'll certainly check out the medical report you suggested. I'm one of those people who does fine with fermented soy products but doesn't tolerate unfermented soy products like soy milk very well. I tried it because I'm allergic to casein and thought it might work as a replacement for animal milk, but it upset my stomach. It sounds like the culprit may be the protein in this case, too. (I can digest fermented dairy products and even cooked milk with no problems.)

Perhaps you could comment on one concern I've had about soy, which may be related to the tofu-dementia link. As I understand it, the chief isoflavone in soy is genistein, which is used in biological research to investigate signal transduction pathways because it disrupts signaling. That doesn't make me feel very comfortable about consuming soy in any quantity, any more than I would colchicine. Is this a reasonable concern?

Although I agree with most of your comments on soy/soy products, I do not believe that tofu is fermented as you list it with fermented soy products such as miso and tempeh.

Thank you for your balanced article on soy. One issue you didn't address is the claim that that soy affects testosterone because it contains plant estrogen.

After I found out that I am lactose intolerant, I switched to soymilk on my cereal. But when I heard about soy estrogen causing male hormone problems, I switched to rice milk.

Please comment on the plant estrogen affecting male hormones issue. Thank You.

Dale L. Branning

Dr. Hyman: THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for a well-reasoned, sensible, comprehensive response to the confusing soy debate.

I thought I was doing my daughter and myself a favor by serving many of the Morningstar Farms soy protein (meat substitute) products!! They are delicious and I thought they were a healthy alternative. Now, I really am confused. Would it be better to make regular meat sausages, patties, etc??? I'm so disappointed to read the article about soy, because you said to avoid texturized soy protein products.

Soy protein will cause me to have very painful fibromyalgia flare ups. I wonder if the growing consumption of soy is a contributor to this disorder that so many suffer from.

Thank you! for a well reasoned, comprehensive article on soy. I have a soy shake every morning in which I mix my glyconutrient supplement.I first started utilizing soy to control hot flashes. It worked well for that!

I use your books when working with my clients. Thanks for all the info!

Seeing avocados for the first time ever in California 1969 I went to the library and found that they contain some poison. An entire grocery bag full of avocados went to waste because I was fearful instead of informed. Thank you for the well thought out article on soy.

I have a severe case of Hashimoto's thyroiditis and have started following the Ultrametabolism diet. I am concerned about the introducing soy into my diet. What ill effects would I notice if it is not good for me? Will I be doing more harm to my non-functioning thyroid?

Interesting article. But it never addressed the question of wether soy milk is the better option over pasturized and/or homogenized milk (assuming that these are your only options).

Thank you for the very interesting article on soy and soy products. As a hypothyroid woman in menopause, the hot flashes have been severe. My thyroid medicine is always changing, either up or down in strength. I have read on thyroid sites that soy will interfer with the absorption of the thyroid medication. Is this correct and if not, what soy products would you recommend?

Very informative and helpful article. Ever since recently reading that soy may be unhealthful to consume, it was a relief to finally learn the 'whys' and 'hows'.

I'm posting here in response to Dr. Hyman's request for those with a personal experience to post in the blog. About three years ago I was taking dance classes about two to four times a week. Also, I'd decided to eliminate red meat completely and substitute soy milk for regular milk in my morning coffee.

I would imagine that all three contributed to my weight loss, but I dropped three dress sizes. I mention this here because I recall reading somewhere once that soy increases brown fat, which aids in weight loss (or fat burning).

A huge thanks to Dr. Hyman for Ultrametabolism. This is my third week - pounds falling off at last!
Regarding soy: drinking soy milk has always given me mucous & a cough - just like cows' milk. However, on the UM Phase I I have tried the soy milk in breakfast smoothies - really upset my system - low energy, eyes bloodshot & tired & sore - liver or thyroid?? I can usually handle tofu, but two small pieces on my sprout salad for lunch the next day after the soy smoothie gave a milder repeat of the same symptoms. Need to learn more. Have family & personal history of thyroid problems also. Any suggestions from anyone on working out my ultrametabolism would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Is it better for women to drink low fat milk or soy milk or almond milk? I enjoy the taste of soy most but would be willing to change my eating habits for the health benefits. Your advise would be appreciated.

Bravo, Dr. Mark! My father instilled in me about 10 years or so ago that milk, indeed, does a body no good. Although, to my delight and chagrin, I treat myself to the once or twice a year shortcake at the C. Factory which I may eventually eliminate due to my detoxing efforts as of late. Nonetheless, Doctor, 75% of folk worldwide are lactose intolerate, huh? That number alone says oceans.

"...people who are iodine deficient which is rare in this country." Obviously you do not live and have never practiced in the "Goiter Belt", the states surrounding the Great Lakes. We have a huge "I" deficiency problem here. Run a few dozen 24 hour urine tests that check for Iodine- you will probably be quite surprised at the number of def. you find.Where do most people get their iodine (from iodized Morton salt) and how many people are on salt-restricted diets? All my patients use "REAL SALT" in their diet but a high % still need supplementation.

So... should I or shouldn't I drink Soy Protein Powder/ Soy Milk smoothies? I'm confused.

So is soy milk ok to use as a substitute for real milk? Because I do love an ice cold glass of milk. 2% of course

Thank you for your info on Soy. This is a topic I have been researching for myself for sometime. I agree with you that both sides of the argument can tend to get a little carried away with the hype, but I prefer to err on the side of soy avoidance other than small occasional quantities of the traditional, fermented asian soys such as soy sauce, miso etc.

I drank soy milk for years as I couldn't drink milk due to it clogging my sinuses, however when I was pregnant with both my kids, I did not go into labour with either of them. It just didn't happen. My son was 3 weeks late and well and truly "over-cooked". My daughter was 2.5 weeks late. Both had to be induced as no labour processes of any kind happened, although I had fairly normal pregnancies.

I also could not breast feed at all. No colostrum, no heavy breasts...absolutely nothing! Something interefered with my hormones. I cannot prove it was soy milk but I strongly suspect it. I was otherwise healthy and particular about eating healthy fresh food and took a some vitamin/mineral supplements. I was also having regular soy protein shakes.

When I gave up soy products I felt better and less irritable. Of course I can prove none of this but I know how I feel.

I experienced gastrointestinal problems and fatigue for weeks. Then I finally realized that it was caused by the soy protein powder I had added to my diet shortly before my problems started. I had heard bad accounts about soy. But I gave it a try anyway. No more.

Back in the late 70s I lived in Taiwan for a year. I lived with Chinese families so I was not living an American lifestyle. But there seem to be some mis-conceptions about the consumption of soy, at least in Taiwan at that time. Maybe it is just the Japanese that have a high intake of soy but I found that the Chinese people that I observed did not consume a lot of soy, nor eat in the manner that you hear about here. At home we never had tofu as part of a meal. I know some people would eat hot soy milk in the morning at the breakfast places and there was always the man who went up and down the street selling "smelly tofu" but I never knew anyone who ate it (obviously someone must have). Typically, we did have at least one fish dish at lunch and dinner and the meat dishes would all have vegetables in them, but meat or poultry was not a "condiment", which is what you always hear. I would say proportions were 50/50 of meat to veg. At lunch and dinner my family typically would eat 2 bowls of white rice. Breakfast was usually a bun with some sort of sweet filling, bean or something that I never knew what it was but the buns were made out of the most highly processed white flour you could find. Sweets were typically not part of a meal other than fruit, although we hardly ate that at home. The major sweet was ice cream. During the time I was there my weight was the lowest it has ever been totally without trying. But I also walked a lot as I walked back and forth to school everyday, plus lots of walking on the weekends so I know I walked at least 2 miles a day. I think the weight loss was the combination of virtually no sweets and the daily exercise. What is interesting is that when I returned to the United States and was back at home eating the foods my mother prepared I immediately started gaining weight, almost uncontrollably and went right back up to the weight I had been before I had left for Taiwan.

As far as eating soy here goes, I do find that it gives me some gas as tofu and soy milk (I try to eat only organic), but I put that down to the fact that it is a bean and other beans give me gas if I am not eating them frequently. I can eat soy sauce and miso with no problem.

Thanks for the info-unfortunately for me, I am very allergic to soy. I can tolerate a small amount of soy oil in a product, but anything with soy protein, such as Textured Vegetable Protein, give me major problems. I look forward to reading the article you recommended.

Dr. Mark Hyman
I just bought your book ultra-metabolism, i am excited about it. My question is ,all of the herbs and supplements that were listed towards the end of the book,do you mean that we need to take all of them and when, do soom work takeing different times of the day? i don't understand this part. I do not have any ovaries ,will soy harm me.I have tried many diets and pills ,and am on prozac.I do not want to be takeing prozac,but after taking my ovaries out i have not been myself,can you help?

WHAT ARE THE BEST AND WORST BRANDS And kinds of vitamin d to use.
this wasnt mentioned in your wonderful article you sent me.
what dose of vitaMIN D SHOULD I FIRST START TAKING, AND THEN HOW MUCH SHOULD I INCREASE BY. AND WHEN. THANKS FOR ANY HELP YOU CAN PROVIDE ME DAVIDR

Don't we need extra calcium if we take lots of Vit. D to avoid the bones being robbed of it in the process of absorbing the D? I have osteoporosis and have tried lots of D but I might have exceeded it for not supplying the calcium and Mag along with it.

One brand of cod liver oil I looked at contains 1250 IU of Vit A per 135 IU of Vit D. This means that taking 30 capsules a day to provide a 4,000 IU dose of Vit D would also give you over 37,000 IU of Vit A. Isn't this far too much Vit A to be healthy?

I am on the Metabolism diet and I love the menus but I am having a problem with the Soy, I love the smoothies and the breakfast grains but I do not feel well after having them, do you suggest any alternatives to the smoothies, because they are really delicious but the soy milk does not work for me.

I am so excited about your book. I have been following (exactly) everything, including getting rid of everythng in my cupboards that I can't eat or rather shouldn't eat. This is my 11th day, and I am seeing results already. Thank you so much for writing this book and for your articles.

as a vegan, i was a bit disappointed by some of these findings given that i workout regularly and like to supplement with a soy protein shake fairly regularly. i was using fermented soy isolate, but today (in ralph's no less), i found this non-soy vegan protein mix. according to their site:

"Naturade Soy-Free Veg is pure vegetable protein. This unique blend of high-quality protein from pea, rice, potato, barley and spirulina provides a balanced supply of amino acids. Methionine and lysine are added to match the amino acid profile of animal protein. This all-natural product has absolutely no animal, egg or dairy derivatives."

im hoping this is a good substitute.

What about soy milk in for growing teenagers? I understand soy can have an effect on thier hormonal system?

I am about to start the ultrametabolism program, but am concerned about the soy milk. Every time I try soy products, particularly soy milk I get severe intestinal cramps. I believe I am allergic to it. Is there a substitute for soy milk and yogurt that you would recommend?

I started eating the Ultra-Metabolism way about three weeks ago. I've had to drop the soy milk completely - I'm apparently more allergic to it than to dairy. So now I'm down to nuts and fruit for breakfast. I'm wondering about other alternatives to use in recipies and smoothies. So far only lost a couple of pounds... help!

To Beth:

You need to think outside the box. Make the grain cereals with either water, rice milk or almond milk. I do them with water all the time. Add some banana or apple and some chopped nuts and they are fine.

To L:

Thanks! That's a great idea.

Also a note for everyone - this is the place for us to talk with each other and make comments. I just found under "other links" where we can ask questions of Dr. Hyman/staff.

If soy processed products are not good for us, as a vegetarian how can I do the ultrametabolism nemues. I don't eat fish and chicken. Do you have an ulternative to fish and chicken?

I love the book and the recipes. However, by the second week of phase one I began to have some large, red, slightly hard "splotches" on my body. I am concerned that they were a non-itchy type of hive related to the increased soy intake. Is this likely? I have stopped the soy and am a little afraid to restart it. Is this a possible soy reaction?

I encourage you to read more about soy on the Weston A Price foundation website.

This is the best site and they are ALL about whole foods. They also have a very good cookbook called Nourishing Traditions.

There is a lot of information on their site about soy.

www.westonaprice.org

Regards,
Erin

I just started to drink Naturade 100% Soy which is a powder that you mix with your juices, water etc. I drink it once a day the product claims that it is a Non Genetically Engineered product. What is your advice on this product. I am having premenapause systems, it was recommended that I start to make soy a part of my diet to relieve these symptoms.

Thank you in advance for your advice

Dr. Hyman, I have your book and find it to be one of the most informative I've ever read. I cannot abide soy milk, or anything made from soy for that matter, except the occasional soy pods with beans. On the other hand, I don't think I could do without non fat milk which I drink 8 oz., or more, daily. What should I do?

Thank you for the article. I have been a lacto ovo vegetarian for 16 years and began to not feel right about 5 years ago. I self diagnosed myself with hypothyroidism but everytime the lab work would come back negative. I gave birth to my first child 9 months ago and have since been diagnosed with Hashimoto. It is also interesting to note that the baby had both a dairy and soy allergy the first 6 months (he was breastfeeding and I had to elminate both from my diet). I'm not sure what to think anymore with regards to soy, yet I cannot imagine not being a vegetarian. For now, I think your advice of consumming just whole soy in moderation makes sense until I can figure out what to do next.
Thanks again for your insight...

I've stayed away from soy products and soy milk for several months after I heard the negative things about it. But, once a week I haven't been able to forgoe my decaf soy au lait. I found that after a dinner of Mexican food with my significant other, the soy au lait seems to calm my body down. It makes my body feel more relaxed. After hearing this good news, I will feel safer eating my tofu and drinking my soy milk. Cheers!

Dr Hyman - I'm a BIG fan, but seriously think you need to re-do this article. When I first started reading, I was shocked - but then, reading further, I see you carefully caution people from eating processed and/or GMO soy.

YET, if you look through the comments, MANY (including professionals) misunderstood your directions. It's one thing to say, "YES, go ahead and enjoy traditionally prepared, fermented soy as Asians have for millennium!" and another to say, "Soy's not so bad..." I am afraid not everyone heard your direction to ONLY eat the traditionally prepared (fermented) soy products, and to avoid ALL the JUNK, highly processed, devoid of nutrition, and potentially harmful soy in most “soy” products today, including soy protein powder, protein bars, etc. I really think you need to try a do-over on this, because as you can see, your ultimate message was misunderstood.

As an aside, you have to admit the soy in infant formula is most likely from GMO soy, plus is highly processed - how does it NOT fit into your strict "stay away from" category? It is GREAT to give grace to mothers, and we certainly appreciate that, but we also need to know the truth – and no one should feel their child soy formula (whether the child is male or female).

Thanks you!

I too like the Ultrametabolism diet in theory. But suffer from negative reactions from soy. My husband does too. Our reactions differ but are too negative to ignore. For this reason, I have not started the Ultrametabolism diet. I am quite disappointed that this diet which is meant to address most food allergies ignores soy allergies which are fairly common. I also wish there was significant information for those of us who would like to try the diet (which is fairly loaded with soy products) but cannot tolerate soy. HELP! I would appreciate any suggestions for substitutions. We are also dairy and gluten intolerant.

Hi,

I have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and I have been told avoid ALL Soy products as soy ties up the medicine that is being replaced and ties up the receptor sites as well.

I notice that if I even eat a bowl of Miso soup that my energy and mental abilities drop dramatically.

So, here's my 2 questions.

Does all of this sound medically correct to you?

And, I have purchased your books. Howeverm, many of the recipes (and all of the breakfast recipes) have soy in them. I would like to use your program, so could you please send (or steer me toward) some recipes that will help heal my system and that do not have any soy products in them.

Especially, recipes that I could use during your detox program.

I'm sure that such recipes will help any person with Hashimoto's that reads your books and would like to follow the programs that you have set out.

I would certainly appreciate any information that you can share. And I look forward to your response.

Gratefully,

Viki

Does soy aggravate problems with low testosterone?

Please help me understand...if soy products and derivatives are used to treat hot flashes- presumably because it mimics estrogen-what effect does it have in the male body?

I have only experienced one negative from eating a whole soy, edamame.  I had a menstrual period again after 3 years of mensus freedom!  I think I actually over indulged on that delicious discovery though.

Your first statement did it for me, even though I read the whole article and most of the posts.  You gave a governement documents stating numerous studies that soy is good. STOP.... Sorry but we mostly all know better than to believe government studies.... big pharma anyone....

Stick to your regular statement - which is shop the perimeter of the grocery store.... better yet, shop local farmer's markets and health food stores AND stay away from processed foods.  

Japanese people truly laugh at the amount of soy we eat in SOY everything.  Their eat about 2 teaspoons a day of soy in a full fish broth, which helps to deter and balance the detrimental parts of the soy.

I do believe some people may do better with soy than others, and as a Naturopath I refer them to Dr. Peter D'Adamo's latest book "The GenoType Diet"  where there are now three nutritional plans for each blood type - all scientifically backed by his research.  The "A" types is the main type that can ingest some soy.  Although, based upon your disorder, if you have one, you should eliminate a food even if it is on the recommended list, ie high sugar fruits if you have a sugar processing problem.  Soy might be one of those foods, based upon its high allergic content - test.  And if you eat soy it should only be in fermented (Tofu is NOT fermented) form. 

So many clients who come into my office feel better when they get the soy out of their diet.......... When I see babies with red rashy cheeks and the Dr. says it is just a baby rash and will go away - I tell the mom about soy - once eliminated the rash goes away - amazing.  Natural food for anyone - or are you still willing to believe government based studies or those attached to the pharmaceutical industry in some way.........

The very best information I have found has been from the Westen A Price Foundations website and from Kayla Daniels book, The Whole Soy Story.  The amazing thing about this book are the stories from "real" people, telling their real stories on how soy affected their bodies or their children's/infant's bodies.   Her next book coming out is The Whole Soy Stories.   I have a client who is just about to retire from nursing and has a sluggish thyroid.  She brought in a nursing book from 1974.  She showed me the page that clearly states that soy is detrimental to the health of the thyroid.  This isn't anything NEW!  She now consumes virgin coconut oil to help stimulate it.  I have numerous clients who have gotton off the soy and feel much better.  For me personally, the fatigue, bloating/gas and the heart palpitations were the worst!  I got sucked into all the hype of this awful processed food as well as most of the American people.  Naturally fermented soy sauce doesn't seem to bother my system. 

Soy infant formula is actually banned in some countries.  The amount of estrogen in a serving of soy formula is mind blowing!   

 BTW...I don't trust any study that comes from big pharma or the government! You have to follow the money.

What about Soy Lecithin? I use the brand from Lewis Labs or Now and I have great neuro results. I have seen these types of forums before about Soy but no One ever mentions soy lecithen? Any thoughts?

Just last week, in Dr. Al Sears' weekly newsletter "House Calls" he wrote about how bad soy is for you and about how soy robs the male of his virility. This was based on some new double blind studies. Have you looked at these new studies and if so, do they change your position about soy consumption or not? Thanks.

Yours in UltraWellness,

Bill Sopchak

I have learned through years of listening and reading about the positive affects of natural soy, that the little possible bad effects are hugely outweighed by the GOOD effects, from the 15 different ways that soy resists and helps the body attack cancer to the positive effects of balancing hormones in our bodies.  I have heard all the bad, but have continued to use natural soy products for 20 years.  And fermented, unprocessed, I agree is the best way.  If, in fact, soy were to inhibit some of the thyroid hormone absorption, then I figure when I am NOT eating it, my thyroid hormones will be absorbed at those times.  Just like all foods which may have some bad, there are certain times in our day, with respect to other foods we eat and environmental factors, that one or more nutrients is absorbed or processed differently.  The idea is to eat a huge variety of plant foods daily, including soy at various meals, and let our bodies decide what, when, and IF it will uptake different nutrients.

Doreen Armstrong

Respect everyone's personal space. It's a small world.

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