Dec 29, 2008 11:58 pm US/Eastern
4 Your Health: The Secret Of Soy
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
For years, nutritionists have touted the health benefits of soy. But now some believe this protein alternative could present a real danger since it is found in a large number of foods we eat.
Lenore Nolan-Ryan, who owns a catering company in Lauderdale by the Sea and is a personal chef to many clients, loves to cook soy.
"If you're using the soy beans, they add great texture and they are also a very good vegetable," said Nolan-Ryan, "if you are using fermented soy, like tofu, you can actually use it as a substitute for protein beef, fish or chicken."
But not all soy is the same.
"The soy we eat here in the states is not fermented, like it is in Asia, so all the toxins are still left in," said Nolan-Ryan.
That's what concerns people like Dianne Gregg who wrote the book "The Hidden Dangers of Soy." Gregg, who is allergic to soy, believes chemical compounds in soy can contribute to a number of health problems, like hypothyroidism.
"You're seeing more problems as far as hypothyroidism," said Gregg, "women are gaining weight because they have a problem with their thyroid."
The chemical compounds can also affect men.
"It can lower their libido, lower their testosterone levels," said Gregg.
But not everyone agrees with Gregg's findings. Sonia Angel, a registered dietician with Memorial Healthcare Systems, said studies indicate soy is safe.
"It's a great alternative as a protein source; it's fat free and it has great benefits in health it may lower cholesterol," said Angel.
Yet Gregg warns a lot of food products contain soy and if you aren't feeling your best it may be the soy.
"Vegetable oil, mayonnaise, it's in canned soup and bakery goods," said Gregg. "Over 60 percent of products on grocery store shelves have some form of soy."
Because of the high level of estrogens and phytoestrogens in soy, Gregg said there's a concern it could cause cancer and affect the thyroid in those at risk. The safest bet is to eat the fermented soy or natural forms of soy, like the kind found in Edamame beans.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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