22: The Truth About Soy | Dr. Kaayla Daniel

AIR DATE: August 16, 2012 at 7PM ETFEATURED EXPERTS: FEATURED TOPIC: "The Truth About Soy"

People are becoming increasingly aware of the dangers associated with consuming soy and soy-based food products. Unfortunately, this also means a lot of the low-carb packaged foods like protein bars that many in the low-carb community may be consuming. While this so-called "health" food is promoted heavily to consumers as an optimally healthy meal replacement and an adequate protein alternative to meats, the reality is there are a lot more risks associated with eating this stuff than most people realize. Our guest this week is "The Naughty Nutritionist"  who knows just a thing or two on this subject. Her book  gives all the down and dirty details about what makes soy a less-than-stellar choice for your dining pleasure. Listen to my "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show" podcast interview with Dr. Daniel from 2010 in .

VISIT DR. SPENCER NADOLSKY'S LEANER LIVING STORE:NOTICE OF DISCLOSURE: 

Here are some of the questions we addressed in this podcast:

ROB ASKS:Recently I was talking to a friend and mentioned that, traditionally, soy was only ever eaten fermented. He promptly pointed out that edamame isn't fermented. I didn't have an answer to that, hence my question for you. Is there a secret to edamame that makes it okay to eat or is it the exception that proves the rule?

ELEANOR ASKS:I was wondering if Dr. Daniel knows whether the soy in animal feed can effect our metabolisms when we eat the animals for food? I'm asking because I noticed that my thyroid will swell and my metabolism will slow down for 2-3 days when I eat chicken. My thyroid health is fine otherwise. In my first year of eating low-carb high-fat, I noticed the only time my weight fluctuated up was the day after we ate chicken. I was able to experiment and isolate it as a factor, by eating it without spices, sauces, or flavorings, or any side dishes. I'd read that farmers have to be careful of the proportion of soy in livestock diets, because it can screw up their animals metabolisms, too. I am left wondering whether my n=1 observation is pointing to a known effect --- that is, can the amount of soy in an animals diet have an impact on us when we eat it?

SANDY ASKS:I use tofu-based Shirataki noodles several times a month and want to know if they are okay to use. They contain water, soybeans (tofu), calcium sulfate, glucono delta lactone, yam flour and calcium hydroxide.

TINA ASKS:I get ill every time I eat soy. I've had soy flour sitting in my freezer for months. It's getting tossed! What's in this stuff that's making me so sick?

APRIL ASKS:Some of my favorite teas list soy lecithin as an ingredient. If this is the only soy I get in my diet would that still cause problems? I drink one cup a day. I avoid all other forms of soy and soybean oil whenever possible. I also have PCOS so I know that it's even more critical that I keep my estrogen levels in check, but I'd hate to give up my favorite tea.

PAUL ASKS:I'd love to hear Dr. Daniel's thoughts on soy lecithin and soy-based emulsifiers in things like vitamins and fish oil capsules. There's something about using an omega-6 rich substance to emulsify omega-3 capsules that seems ironic.

FORTUNE ASKS:What about the soy that's in skin care products? Most women over 35 experience an increase in their facial hair and soy-based creams and extracts are often recommended for this and included in cosmetics. Knowing what we do about soy, what should ladies be using instead? I tried a soy cream and thought it actually made my peach fuzz grow darker, so I stopped. What's a better alternative or is this something we need to be concerned with at all?

VINCENT ASKS:Is it better to avoid eating soy rather than risk eating GMO soy? Which types of soy are best to eat, if we're forced to consume GMO-based ones?

CARLA ASKS:Can the phytoestrogen in soy foods cause erectile dysfunction in men?