Soy fact vs soy fiction

The FDA has allowed the following claim to be made concerning soy products: “Diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol that include 25 grams of soy protein a day may reduce the risk of heart disease.”

To qualify food must: Contain 6.25 G of soy protein, have less than 3 g fat and 1 g saturated fat, and less than 20 mg of cholesterol and less than 480 mg of sodium. This claim is based on whole soy protein food, not isolated soy constituents. Asian diets contain typically 6-11 g of soy protein/day, which includes 25-50 mg of isoflavones.

Soy is a complete protein. Not really, but that might not be a bad thing.

The FDA claims that soy protein can be a good substitute for animal protein because it contains all the necessary essential amino acids. Soy is high in the non-essential amino acids, but is low in cysteine, methionine, and lysine. However, soy protein, as well as many other vegan proteins, are higher in non-essential amino acids than most animal-derived food proteins, and as a result should preferentially favor glucagon production. (This could help with insulin resistance.)

An unnecessarily high intake of essential amino acids—as in high-meat diets—may prove to be as grave a risk factor for “Western” degenerative diseases as is excessive fat intake.

Soy prevents cancer. Maybe.

Soy contains isoflavones that are phytoestrogens, which may have both benefits and risks. Phytoestrogens interact with many receptors, including estrogen hormone receptors, but the type of interaction and the type of receptor dictates the biologic response. For instance genistein, one of the main soy isoflavones, interacts differently with estrogen receptor alpha and estrogen receptor beta. Genistein was shown to inhibit the growth of MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

Epidemiological studies show that women with traditional diets high in soy have a lower incidence of breast cancer those women with Western diets. There are no studies that show eating high amounts of soy later in life can decrease a women’s risk of breast cancer however.

Soy is safe for breast cancer survivors. Probably NOT.

Currently neither the animal data nor human data is conclusive as to whether soy is safe for breast cancer survivors. Women who are estrogen positive breast cancer survivors are frequently told to restrict their intake of soy products because of the phytoestrogen content.

GMO soy is healthy. If you don’t mind herbicides on your food!

Genetically modified soy is “Roundup Ready”, MEANING Roundup can be sprayed on the crop for weed control. Roundup Ready (RR) varieties of soybean has increased the use of glyphosate for weed control and glyphosate residues were found in soybean leaves and stems, and metabolites of the herbicide were found in the grain. Applications of glyphosate have no effects on phytoestrogen levels in glyphosate-resistant soybeans.

Fermented soy is better for you. Not really.

There is a difference in the isoflavones in non-fermented vs. fermented soy food, but the effect of enzymes and flora activity in the digestive tract makes the difference unimportant.

Soy is a common food allergen. True!

Soy is one of the top food allergens, along with cow’s milk, citrus, nuts, wheat, seafood and egg. Allergenicity of GMO soy may be altered. Hydrolyzed soy protein may not be as antigenic and there may be cross-reactivity with birch pollen and soy.

Soy inhibits the thyroid. Not True!

In 14 human studies, most found little change in thyroid function tests of normal subjects ingesting isolated soy protein. There are a few case studies of soy impacting hypothyroid patients, by reducing thyroid medication absorption. Always also consider iodine deficiency. Iodine deficiency lead to goiter and soy may make an iodine deficiency worse. An interesting not is that Asian soy consumption is often coupled with seaweed, which is naturally high in iodine.

Soy inhibits protein digestion. Possibly.

Raw soy contains Bowman-Birk (BBI) inhibitor of chymotrypsin and trypsin and the Kunitz inhibitor of trypsin (KTI). Heating and processing of the soybean removes most but not all of these inhibitors. On the other hand, several studies suggest that BBI can also function as an anticarcinogen, possibly through interaction with a cellular serine protease.

Soy is safe for infant formulas. Caution is needed.

Infants consuming soy formulas had 10 times higher isoflavone levels in their blood than women receiving soy supplements who show menstrual disturbances. Small, physiologically relevant phytoestrogen exposure levels can alter estrogen-dependent gene expression in the brain and affect complex behavior in a wide range of species. The implications for these findings in humans, and particularly in infants, largely remain uninvestigated but are a subject of increasing public interest.

Soy infant formulas contain BBQ and KTI, protein enzyme inhibitors; infants on soy formula consume about 10 mg of KTI plus BBI per day. The impact of reduced protein digestion due to these enzyme inhibitors in infants is not known.

Soy is a good food. Most likely.

Whole soy foods are a good source of fiber, B vitamins, calcium and omega-3 essential fatty acids. Replacing some high fat animal protein with soy foods is beneficial. Soy can be part of a healthy diet, along with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, fish and lean meats Introduce soy slowly to the daily diet. Avoid if you have soy allergies.

Soy is a nutraceutical. Most likely.

Soy isoflavones may be helpful for modest cholesterol lowering effects. Soy isoflavones effect on breast cancer is unclear. Soy isoflavones may be helpful for menopausal symptoms. Soy isoflavones may be supportive for postmenopausal bone health.

>> By Dr. Arianna Staruch, ND, ACHS Dean of Admissions

ABC’s Blumenthal Quoted in AP Article on Supplements for Pets

The Associated Press released an article yesterday regarding supplements for pets, which included quotes from ABC Founder and Executive Director Mark Blumenthal.1 The AP article, written by Marilynn Marchione, focuses primarily on concerns over the quality and effectiveness of supplements for pets—particularly those that are intended to offer nutritional and/or other support for arthritis and other joint conditions. The article has already been distributed through several major media outlets.

The article quotes Blumenthal as stating that quality problems have been associated with supplements, although many companies do a good job. Blumenthal is also quoted as stating that dogs and cats are unable to give their subjective assessments of a supplement’s efficacy, and that owners want to believe that the supplements they pay for are having beneficial effects on their pets.

These statements were pulled from an approximately 45-minute phone interview that Marchione conducted with Blumenthal on June 24, and many topics of that conversation and qualifications that Blumenthal provided were not included. For instance, Blumenthal discussed several companies that are conducting legitimate research on the benefits of supplements on companion animals (dogs, cats, horses), but these were not mentioned in the article.

The American Botanical Council published its own article on supplements for pets in HerbalGram issue 82, titled “The Expanding Market and Regulatory Challenges of Supplements for Pets in the United States,” written by HerbalGram Managing Editor Courtney Cavaliere.2 Marchione stated that she had read that article during her interview with Blumenthal, and she included a link to the HerbalGram article below her own AP story (found under the “On the Net” subhead).

In the HerbalGram article, Cavaliere pointed out that the nonprofit National Animal Supplement Council (NASC)—of which 90% of pet supplement manufacturers in the United States are members—has initiated many self-regulatory measures for the pet supplement industry. NASC created quality control guidelines and instituted risk monitoring procedures for the industry. Companies that manufacture supplements for pets that meet the NASC’s quality and safety protocols, and that have completed a facility audit, are able to use the NASC’s Quality Seal on their products. Although Marchione mentions the NASC and quotes its president Bill Bookout in her AP article, she fails to mention the NASC’s self-regulatory protocols or its Seal Program.

As noted previously, Marchione also fails to point out that some companies that manufacture supplements for pets are increasingly testing the effectiveness of their products. She quotes anonymous “veterinary experts” as saying that there is little evidence that joint-pain supplements for pets work, and she uses quotes from Blumenthal to support the idea that testing the efficacy of supplements for pets is particularly difficult. The HerbalGram article, however, includes information on a randomized, controlled clinical study to assess the efficacy of an herbal supplement called Pet Relief® (RZN Nutraceuticals, Orange Park, FL) for treating canine pain and lameness, which was initiated in October 2008 at Colorado State University. This study is testing a pet supplement for the very condition (arthritis) that Marchione focused on within her own article, yet she did not include any information about such trials, or quotes from researchers conducting such trials, within her own article.

The AP article on supplements for pets is the latest of a series of articles that Marchione has written about dietary supplements, beginning in June. These articles have been generally critical of complementary and alternative medicine and the supplement industry. Blumenthal provided some commentary on Marchione’s series, which was published in the July issue of ABC’s monthly electronic newsletter HerbalEGram and has also been posted on ABC’s homepage.3

>> To learn more about holistic nutrition classes, click here.

References

1. Marchione M. Tests reveal some pet supplements skimp on meds. Associated Press. July 9, 2009. Available at: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iaIOY9TjrDQryHoiXy-FMcmfyrugD99B3A880

2. Cavaliere C. The expanding market and regulatory challenges of supplements for pets in the United States. HerbalGram. 2009;82:34-41.

3. Blumenthal M. AP publishes series on dietary supplements and CAM. HerbalEGram, July 2009;6(7). Available at: <http://abc.herbalgram.org/site/R?i=wJRkzsf4TV33qL56AOBr8Q..>http://cms.herbalgram.org/heg/volume6/07%20July/AP_Commentary.html?t=1246541625. Accessed July 9, 2009.

You really need to call yourself to action

Ever wonder why we have so many packaged lies on the grocery store shelves and vegetables and fruits have no one to march a campaign for them? Me too--here is my second article on my new campaign to allow our choices to be healthy choices!

FDA to Approve the Highest Bidder:

The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act requires animal feed, like human foods, to:

• · Be pure and wholesome
• · Contain no harmful substances

This was sent to me in a recent newsletter update from the FDA in regards to the safety of pet food. I was immediately tickled by the idea of the FDA saying food sold for animals is required to be pure and wholesome, just as they dictate that food for humans also be pure and wholesome. Webster defines the word pure as- "being unmixed with any other matter—free from what pollutes". If that made you laugh, then you will love how Webster defines the word wholesome- "providing health of mind and body". So, the FDA states that they require food to be unmixed with any other matter and provide health to the mind and the body. Despite these regulations the FDA is said to require, we are becoming more and more aware of the dangers in our foods today. read more

Make your own whole food granola bars

Making your own healthy, natural granola bars is fun and easy. Here's one recipe that will take you about half and hour from start to finish.


Happy Hippie Granola Bars

2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup packed brown sugar ( store bought or make your own)
1/2 cup honey
1 cup dried fruit (any kind)
1 tbsp butter
1 cup wheat germ

Toast the oats and wheat germ on a cookie sheet for ten minutes (until lightly browned). Then
melt honey, butter, and brown sugar. Once it is melted, remove from heat and add oats, wheat germ, and dried fruits. Put into a square glass pan and let cool. Once cooled, cut into squares. You can store your granola bars in the refrigerator for about a week.

Have your own recipe to share? Please post to the blog so we can all build up our recipe boxes.

*Happy Hippie Granola Bars submitted by Melissa Klevans, Eng 101

Garland chrysanthemum healthy addition to fresh soups and salads

Garland chrysanthemum Chrysanthemum coronarium greens are a traditional addition to chop suey and soup, according to an April 30 article by Vern Nelson in The Oregonian, "Get set for chop suey." An annual that grows from 1-4 feet tall, garland chrysanthemum has yellow flowers and, depending on the cultivar, can also have white tips.

For cooking, Nelson recommends these varieties:

• Broad leaf, which has a mild flavor
• Maiko, which has a vigorous flavor
• Round leaf, which has a milder flavor and bi-colored flowers
• Small leaf, which has serrated leaves
• Tiger ear, which has a strong flavor and broad leaves

To cook garland chrysanthemum, Nelson suggests you lightly "saute the leaves and stems or whole 4- to 6-inch seedlings with sesame seeds, garlic, ginger and soy sauce. Overcooking the leaves causes bitterness."

To also can eat the chrysanthemum raw in salads [like dandelion], add to "soups containing fresh ginger, or dunk in fritter batter and deep-fry." Nelson says that, "You'll detect flavors of carrot, celery, and juniper in round-leaved cultivars, and mesclun in most cultivars. The species and serrate-leaved varieties have a stronger, sometimes bitter finish [...]. The petals of all varieties have less flavor but look great in salads. The seeds can be sprouted and used in sandwiches or as salad."

To read the complete article, including tips for planting garland chrysanthemum, care, and harvest, click here.

© Nelson, Vern. The Oregonian, "Get set for chop suey." April 30, 2009.

We know to filter water. But should we be filtering our cosmetics too?

Hormone-altering chemicals in your makeup? Could be. The FDA does not require cosmetics manufacturers to test their own personal care products for safety. And yet, we buy it. We think...Chapstick can't hurt. It's just shampoo. But studies are showing that a little of something used over a long period of time can, in fact, hurt your overall health and wellness.

Ever wondered what those long, garbled words ("ingredients") on the back of your personal care products mean? They're synthetics. You probably new that. But...what do they mean? The skin is a complicated organ, one that needs clear pathways to excrete toxins. Synthetics block the skin's pathways, which, to the average eye, looks like less-than-vibrant skin.

To help you sort the good (natural!) from the bad and the ugly (synthetic), the Environmental Working Group has launched Skin Deep, a cosmetics safety database where you can search the products you use on a daily basis by product name, ingredient, or company. For example, did you know that Pantene Conditioning Spray has a hazard rating of 10 out of 10. Ingredients in this product have been linked to: developmental and reproductive toxicity, violations, allergies, and organ system toxicity, to name a few. Burt's Bees Avocado Hair Conditioner, however, only has a toxic rating of 3, which reflects its link to allergies.

Don't be fooled the word "cosmetics." We're not talking lipstick and sparkle eyeshadow here (not only). Toxic ingredients are equally included in men's and women's personal care products. For example, AXE Deodorant Body Spray for Men has a hazard rating of 5, while BOD MAN Fragrance has a rating of 8.

The decision to protect your health is a personal one. Make the most of it. Choose natural. For more information about natural products, download free tips and recipes from the Apothecary Shoppe College Store.

3 stress relieving meals your family will love

Stress has many harmful effects on the body. The demands of modern life have been shown to weaken our immune systems and to increase our risk of high blood pressure and heart disease. Although we may not be able to eradicate stress altogether, we can minimize negative effects by consciously maintaining a healthful lifestyle.

In addition to relaxation and exercise activities, one of the best ways to reduce stress and boost overall health is through nutrition, specifically the daily use of nutritious herbs. Adding herbs to daily meals is important, because it builds health over time. Consistently eating nutritious herbs bolsters the body’s vitality, which makes it easier to fend off health challenges.

CLICK HERE for a free ACHS download with tips for using antioxidants and herbs.

Here are three easy-to-use herbs sure to get good reviews from the whole family.

1. Sweet Basil (Ocimum basillicum)

The health benefits of eating basil include: vitamins and minerals (calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and vitamins B2, A, and C), healthy digestion, and the essential oil, which has a clove-like aroma, eases anxiety.

Easy-to-make meal:

• Chop fresh and add to pre-made tomato sauces;
• Add raw flowers and leaves to green, leafy salads; or
• Use a blender to combine olive oil, basil, sun dried tomatoes, and garlic—serve as a side dish with bread or on top of pasta.

2. Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)

The health benefits of eating fennel include: vitamins and minerals (calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, and vitamins B2, A (as beta carotene), and C), healthy digestion (including indigestion), and healthy respiration.

Easy-to-make meal:
• Add fresh fennel leaves to green, leafy salads;
• Fennel stems can be cooked with in a variety of vegetable or lentil-based soups; or
• Chop fresh into tuna and pasta salads for flavor.

3. Pumpkin Seeds

The health benefits of eating pumpkin seeds include: vitamins and minerals (calcium, magnesium, zinc, potassium, silica, and linoleic acid), healthy digestion, and healthy kidney function.

Easy-to-make meals:

• Eat the seeds raw or lightly-toasted as a mid-meal snack;
• Grind until smooth and add to granola or breakfast cereal; or
• Grind until smooth and add to a breading for fish or chicken.

To learn more about holistic nutrition, or career training to be a holistic nutrition consultant with ACHS, CLICK HERE.

Major food safety reforms would be would be gr-r-reat

ACHS Master Herbalist Christina Suarez, owner of The Good Herb Company, led a talk at ACHS Saturday, March 21, about Organic Standards. While outlining the extensive requirements for organic certification, Suarez emphasized the importance of reading food labels to evaluate the health benefits of ingredients. As part of her presentation, Suarez talked about a recent news article in which the CEO of Kellogg calls for a food safety reform program. On principle, it just sounds like a good idea. But, on a practical level, it’s essential because, as Suarez pointed out, many of the foods we have been eating for years are GMO (a genetically modified organism), which many people don’t know.

Here is an excerpt of the article “Kellogg’s CEO calls for major food safety reforms” from the Associated Press, March 18.

“Tony the Tiger's boss says a food safety overhaul would be Gr-r-reat!
The Kellogg Co.’s top official is urging U.S. legislators to revamp the food safety system. The world's biggest cereal maker—its brands include Frosted Flakes—lost $70 million in the recent salmonella outbreak, after recalling seven million cases of peanut butter crackers and cookies.

CEO David Mackay will tell Congress on Thursday [March 19] the company wants food safety placed under a new leader in the Health and Human Services department. He also calls for new requirements that all food companies have written safety plans, annual federal inspections of facilities that make high-risk foods and other reforms.

Mackay’s strong endorsement of major changes could boost President Barack Obama's efforts to overhaul the system. Last week, Obama launched a special review of food safety programs, which are split among several departments and agencies and rely in some cases on decades-old laws. Critics say more funding is needed for inspections and basic research.

"The recent outbreak illustrated that the U.S. food safety system must be strengthened," Mackay said.

"We believe the key is to focus on prevention, so that potential sources of contamination are identified and properly addressed before they become actual food safety problems."

In addition to health prevention and safety, there are several reasons to avoid GMO-grown foods, however used to eating them we are. Here are a few:

1. Sustainability agriculture supports local food growing (like your favorite farmer’s market)
2. Environmental preservation
3. Taste. Non-GMO foods have it!

Click here to read more about Christina Suarez and The Good Herb Company.

To learn more about David Mackay’s presentation to Congress March 19, click here.

What do you know about GMO? Tell us below. Label-reading tips? We want to know those too.

Ahead of the Curve: Wellness Coach

Fitness trainers have long been popular, but ever more, people also want support in their efforts to eat less, stop smoking or drinking, and reduce stress. These people are starting to seek out wellness coaches. This trend should accelerate if—as is widely predicted—more of us are pressured by younger, tech-savvy workers, globalization, automation, and the massive influx of immigrants from Asia and Latin America who are willing to work long hours for low pay. Wellness coaches are being hired not only by individuals but by employers and health insurers as a likely cost-beneficial perk for their employees.

(Originally printed in “Best Careers.”) © usnews.com, December 11, 2008