April, 2019 | The Health
men
23
The ploy against soy
Some are saying that soy and soy products are affecting men’s
manhood. Is it true?
I
f you haven’t heard of it, there is a ‘myth’ which
tells that consuming lots of soy products can
lower testosterone levels in men. It is based on a
claim that eating soy lowers a man’s testosterone
and thus, literally making him less manly because
it contains a hormone called phytoestrogen.
Although it sounds similar, phytoestrogen is not the
same as the female hormone oestrogen.
Soybean, olso known as soya bean, is a species of
legume native to East Asia. It is widely grown for its
edible bean, which has numerous uses. Fat-free soybean
meal is a significant and cheap source of protein for
animal feeds and many packaged meals. The most
healthful soy products are those that are minimally
processed so they retain all of their original nutrients.
Soy products derives from items made from soy-
beans, including soy milk, tofu, tempeh, miso, and
plant-based meat and dairy substitutes like soy meats
and soy cheeses.
Hormonal content alert
While some dietitians and scientists laud the humble
soya bean for its vegan-friendly, fat-free, and protein-
rich composition, others argue that it inhibits male
reproductive hormones. This is because the active
ingredients in soy, isoflavones, which are plant-based
phytoestrogens behaves a lot like oestrogens.
Oestrogens are hormones that dictates a woman’s
reproductive capabilities. Men’s bodies produce
oestrogens too, but at much lower amounts, which
is important for normal development and function
of the male reproductive system. However, an abnor-
mally high level of oestrogen can have major effects
on a man’s body, possibly interfering with his fertility
and sexual function, and potentially raising his risk of
certain chronic diseases.
Fertility problems, breast enlargement and erectile
dysfunction are among the signs and symptoms that
might signal a high oestrogen level in a man. Therefore,
some men worry that consuming soy products con-
taining phytoestrogens may reduce their testosterone
levels.
soy may reduce
the risk of prostate
cancer in men.
In a review of 30
studies, high soy
consumption
was linked to a
significantly lower
risk of developing
the disease. There
may be a slight
effect when soy
is consumed
excessively.”
and men’s sex hormones, including testosterone. The
researchers concluded that soy intake does not raise or
lower a man’s testosterone levels.
Soy is actually incredibly beneficial to one’s health
when consumed in moderation. Soy consumption can
actually lower cholesterol levels.
Several studies suggest that soy may improve
cholesterol levels. In an extensive review of 35 stud-
ies, researchers found that consuming soy products
managed to reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
cholesterol and total cholesterol whilst raising good
cholesterol levels which are known as high-density
lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol.
Natural beats supplements
Soy does not lower testosterone levels
Low testosterone can be linked to diminished sex drive,
erectile dysfunction, reduced muscle mass, depression,
fatigue, and osteoporosis. In 2010, a group of American
researchers from the University of Minnesota and
Loma Linda University in California analysed 47
studies that examined the relationship between soy
Soy milk is one of the most popular and common
soy products.
Some men are staying off soy products
such as soy milk, tofu, and tempeh for fear
of ‘losing their manhood’.
These improvements were greater in people with cho-
lesterol levels higher than the average person. However,
it was observed that soy supplements did not have the
same cholesterol-lowering effect as eating soy foods.
Fibre seems to play an important role in cholesterol-
lowering effects of soy. In one study, 121 adults with
high cholesterol took 25 grams of soy protein with or
without soy fibre for eight weeks. The soy with fibre
reduced LDL cholesterol more than twice as much as
soy protein alone.
Again, you will not lose your manhood
Although studies have not indicated that soy negatively
impacts the production of testosterone in men, men are
still worried about including it in their diet due to the
fact that soy contains phytoestrogens.
In a review of 15 studies in men, intake of soy foods,
protein powders or isoflavone supplements up to 70
grams of soy protein and 240 mg of soy isoflavones per
day did not affect free testosterone or total testosterone
levels.
What’s more, soy may reduce the risk of prostate
cancer in men. In a review of 30 studies, high soy
consumption was linked to a significantly lower risk
of developing the disease. There may be a slight effect
when soy is consumed excessively.
With the overwhelming amount of disparaging
information, it seems that the consumption of soy
might probably best be left to personal preference.
Evidence to date indicates that soy products may reduce
the risk of breast cancer and breast cancer recurrence.
They do not appear to have adverse effects on the
thyroid gland, but may reduce the absorption of thyroid
medications. The benefits of soy products appear to
relate to traditional soy products, not to concentrated
soy proteins. Overall, the benefits of incorporating
soy into your diet most likely outweigh any potential
risks, so feel free to eat whole or fermented soy foods
in moderation. — The Health