Soy Protein vs Soy Lecithen

mocame

I need an education on soy.

When I was diagnosed, my oncologist said to avoid all soy and I've been trying to avoid food that mentions anything with soy in it.  While looking for soy-free breads, I contacted a very nice local baker and asked if they use soy in their breads.  Her response was that they do not use soy protein due to the cancer risk but do use soy lecithen (?spelling).  I see soy lecithin in tons of products and assumed I couldn't eat it.

What is the difference between soy protein and soy lecithin and is it okay to consume soy lecithin.  What about other soy, like soy flour, soy oil? 

Any help would be appreciated!  Thank you!

mocame

Anybody?  Or am I posting this in the wrong forum?

everyminute

I dont think there is an easy answer to that.  Some people say that you should avoid all soy, other say soy lecithin is ok and still others will say that soy is actually ok - tough topic.

dlb823

mocame ~ From both the nutritionist and the integrative specialist @ UCLA ... with the exception of soy protein powder or other soy isolates, natural soy products (tofu, edaname, etc.) are fine for us in moderation.  What they say we need to stay away from the isolates -- like soy protein or any soy that's been modified or basically concentrated.  Most energy bars, for example, are made with a concentrated form of soy to be avoided.

The other potential problem with soy derivatives (like many of those on Jo's list) are that they are made with a sludge like by-product from processing soybeans, a crop that is very heavily sprayed with herbicides and pesticides.  So (and I've learned this here, not @ UCLA) there is genuine concern re. the lack of purity and concentration of toxic materials in those soy byproducts.    

I'm sure you can find contradictory opinions about natural soy products and soy derivatives from other reputable sources, so I guess it all comes down to what you're comfortable with based on your trust in those sources, as well as your gut feeling about the benefit or the potential harm of ingesting soy.    Deanna

mocame

Hmm.  Thank you for your replies.  I've tried to stay away from all soy but I've never seen that list before, Jo, so thank you.

Deanna, thanks for the information.  That clears some things up.

When I tell people that I try not to eat anything with soy in it, they don't understand since they've always been told that soy is good for us, will keep us healthy, and lowers the cancer risk.  Everybody brings up the fact that there are lower cancer rates in the asian countries where they tend to eat more soy. 

I will be printing off that list.  Thank you!

makingway

In addition to soy being a phytoestrogen it is also the most genitically modified organism-GMO. Which means that it's DNA has been altered gentically, in a laboratory. This is not natural and I won't eat something man has 'cooked up'. I avoid it as much as possible. Google Monsanto and see what our food supply has come to.

C130sunshine

It is almost impossible to find things without soy....it is so frustrating!!!!  It is even in shampoo and face cream.  If I can not find soy free products I go for the ones where it is listed at the bottom.  Thanks Jo for the list.

The only "health bar" I found without any soy is Larabar.

I would also be interested in soy free cottage cheese...that tastes good.

mocame

Thanks for the list, Jo.

The problem with some soy-free foods is that it has other ingredients in it that are also not good for us.  Things like lots of sugar, fructose corn syrup, MSG, aspartame, etc.

I guess I need to take more time to make my food from scratch but it's hard to do that with two jobs, young children and just life.  I guess I need to put that as one of my top goals of things I need to do.

chasinghope

Jo, thank you for taking the time to make that list, does this mean I can live off Rice krispie treats because that doesn't seem like a bad idea.

makingway

I don't shop at the 'regular' grocery store anymore. I buy most of my food from Trader Joe's, and I read the labels because a lot of their products contain soy. I shop there because the organic produce is cheaper than the other market nearby. But, the other market is vastly superior in variety and quality. It took me a few months to figure out what I could eat without guilt, and also tasted good. If you are looking for skin care products that are safe go to the envitonmental working group website.There is a database there called SkinDeep. It is awesome!

Husband11

Theoretically, if its pure soy lecithin, it shouldn't have any estrogenic properties.  Lecithin is found in many things, like egg yolks.  Its a fairly well understood class of molecules.  That said, I can understand my wife's avoidance of anything soy.  If its not essential, why take a risk.  Its a shame no one has ever sorted out the benefits and detriments of soy and flax on ER+ BC patients.  Its pretty much pure speculation.

chergui53

What about soy protein in skin care products?  My doc told me to stay away from those, too.  My mom and her sister both had breast cancer, so I've been warned not to use any products with soy protein.  Even the health food stores are steering me away from those skin care products.  I wanted to try a lotion offered at the Vitamin Cottage; the first thing the salesperson asked me was "did I have breast cancer" and "did anyone in my family have breast cancer".  When I answered "yes", she told me not to use it.  I'm disappointed over this as I wanted to try Garnier's new Anti Gravity cream that is getting rave reviews, however, it has soy protein in it.  Well, sagging skin is better than the alternative.