I've adapted to the vegetarian diet, I have a question on "meat" substitutes and soy products, tofu?

I feel great being a vegetarian but my dad keeps warning me about the ongoing speculation on whether soy products are actually healthy. I use a lot of soy products, like the Morningfarm soy patties and sausages and tofu hotdogs? They have iron and protein, so at least I think I'm getting proper nutrition?



Is it unsafe though? I heard soy products have been linked to cancers and infertility? :(I've adapted to the vegetarian diet, I have a question on "meat" substitutes and soy products, tofu?
There is no scientific proof that soya increases the risk of any type of cancer.



Soya proteins contain isoflavones that can mimic a weak oestrogen effect. It's not the same as the oestrogen your own body makes though - it is 1,000 times weaker than your own body's oestrogen, but it's this that has led to concerns (and rumour) about soya and oestrogen dependent cancer and in particular about breast cancer.



There is no actual scientific evidence that any food, including soya, causes, prevents, contributes to or affects the progress of any cancer (the exception being high consumption of red and processed meat, which is a major risk factor for colorectal cancers).



This is as true of oestrogen positive breast cancer as of any other cancer (not all breast cancers are oestrogen positive).



There are those in the field who argue that isoflavones may be of help in preventing breast cancer or be beneficial to women who have had breast cancer.



There is current research into whether increasing phyto oestrogens in the diet helps to prevent breast or prostate cancer, and a study in 2002 found that women with the highest levels of soya products in their diets had the lowest breast density - higher breast density being associated with higher breast cancer risk.



Women with the highest levels of isoflavones in their diet are reported to have significant risk reductions for uterine cancer.



The charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer addresses the issue of soya quite thoroughly; you can download their factsheet. Note that it says:



''Because phyto-oestrogens can act like oestrogen they can have similar effects to oestrogen, but at high doses they may actually block the effects of oestrogen. ''



and



''Some studies found that regularly eating foods that contain phyto-oestrogens might lower the risk of breast cancer, whereas others found that they have no effect.''



http://breakthrough.org.uk/breast_cancer鈥?/a>



As far as I can ascertain, there is no scientific proof that soya affects fertility; some studies have suggested that a diet high in soya may affect both female and male fertility, but these ARE just studies, not proof. All studies do is suggest posssibilities for further research. And from the studies I've seen, it would appear they considered that eating soya in moderation is fine.



It's worth mentioning that there are no exceptionally high instances of infertility in Asian countris where soya has been a basic food for a very, very long time.



Soya is contraindicated for certain thyroid conditions, and obviously those with such conditions should avoid it. As far as I can tell, there is no suggestion that soya actually causes or triggers such conditions.



I'd draw a parallel with my own situation - as a diabetic I have to avoid or treat with caution a number of foods because of their high GI rating. These foods include healthy things like pineapple, beetroot and melon. No reason for someone without diabetes not to enjoy those foods; similarly, no reason for a person without a thyroid condition to avoid soya
tofu is much safe and nutritious than meat though you must take animal proteins you can use milk and milk products for that.I've adapted to the vegetarian diet, I have a question on "meat" substitutes and soy products, tofu?
Hahahaah, thats the first time I've ever heard anyone say that soy products are linked to cancer and infertility.



Vegetarian eating actually reduces the risk of some types of cancer, it doesn't kill you.

Where ever you got that from, that person is a misinformed person.



Here are great websites on vegetarian eating:

http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2鈥?/a>

http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2鈥?/a>
I work at a kitchen. Vegetarian and vegan foods are NOT always healthier and often are worse for you. Usually it's processed foods that you want to avoid, they will give you cancer. That said if you eat fruit, vegetables, diary products, eggs, and fish you should be fine.I've adapted to the vegetarian diet, I have a question on "meat" substitutes and soy products, tofu?
There's nothing wrong with soy beans, but processed food, of any kind, is not as good for you as whole fresh organic food. That is all. There is nothing specifically better or worse about soy products than any other product. Anti-soy propaganda is created by vested interests that feel threatened by soy products. Limit your processed food, and increase your whole food intake.



Soy products are safe, don't worry.

What do you think is safer, a hamburger or a soy-burger? There's your dad, munching on a bloody (i.e. fu*king) burger talking about how he heard that soy products are bad for you... come on, it's ridiculous.



%26gt; I heard soy products have been linked to cancers and infertility?

From where?? Total joke.
Soy isn't unsafe. There are actually lower rates of cancer associated with countried with high intakes of soy. There are many health benefits associated with soy and the health risks are still only speculative. There really isn't anything to worry about!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soybean#Hea鈥?/a>



Processed food in general is not particularly good for you, so you shouldn't be eating it with every meal. Beans, lentils, whole grains, seeds and nuts are good sources of protein. Green vegetables are also good for iron.
andri, what hasnt been linked to cancer and or infertility?



not one thing you eat or drink is free of that claim of liking to cancer or infertility in some way

then next month they wil be said to be so healthy we shoudl all eat them and more of them



eat what you want, as long as you dont eat too much or toolittle of anything, you will be fine



infact soy has phytoeostrogens which are good for your female reproduction

just ignore scaremongering and live your life
Soy has a lot of phytoestrogens, which mimic the behavior of estrogen in the body. They're very weak estrogens, however, so that's where a lot of the controversy about infertility and cancers come in. If you have too much estrogen in your body (and many people do in this day and age), phytoestrogens can block stronger natural estrogens and man-made xenoestrogens, thus reducing the overall impact of estrogen on your body. This is why soy products are often recommended for girls with menstrual cramps and other problems related to excessive levels of estrogen. However, for some women, even weak phytoestrogens are too strong. If you have an estrogen-sensitive breast tumor, for example, they will tell you to cut soy and many other things out of of your life as completely as possible.



Personally, I think the benefits of soy outweigh the risks, but it is important to pay attention to how your body feels when you eat it. If it makes you feel better, keep eating it. If it makes you feel worse, stop.



The safest types of soy are supposed to be the traditional Asian fermented ones, like miso and tofu. Highly processed fake meats aren't really that great for you even if the risks of soy are overblown.
There is an ongoing debate ranging from it is super healthy to it will give you cancer. However that is soy in it's purest of forms. You are eating heavily processed soy foods.



I would be more concerned about the additives and salt content in the mornings star products than I would about the potential effects of soy.



There have been no conclusive studies done to link soy foods to cancer, infertility,....

I would however be concerned if you are eating more than a couple serving per week of morning start about the heart problems that we know arise from a high sodium diet.