|
Whats New 2004
Soy might not be a good idea for
men.
The drama surrounding soy has seesawed in recent times.
First we thought it was good for the heart via
lowering cholesterol, protected the prostate and helped
preserve bone density.
Then in the year 2000 the tofu study was
released, which generated massive consternation, showing
a dose-dependent connection between the consumption of
this substance and the subsequent development of brain
atrophy and dementia in Hawaiian males.
Subsequent to that evidence from the World
conference on Soy revealed that soy consumption actually
improved memory. Now
a summary article in the Journal of Anti-aging Medicine,
Volume 6, Number 4 2003 indicates that in tissue culture
the soy phytoestrogen genistein has the ability to
suppress DNA synthesis and to repress brain derived
neurotrophic factor as well as to increase glutamate
toxicity and peroxides or free radicals derived from
glutamate. In
short soy blocks the formation of new brain cells and
exposes those present to increasing levels of toxicity.
In 2003 experiments on male rats have confirmed
soy’s tendency to put the brakes on brain derived
neurotrophic factor in the hippocampus which is the
memory centre as well as the cortex thereby suggesting
that soy may cause brain atrophy in males.
Fascinatingly the opposite seems to happen to
female rats suggesting that soy might be protective to
female brains. What
is the poor hapless male to make of all of this?
Clearly we need more scientific evaluation of the
pros and cons of this endlessly mystifying substance but
until this is available I am advising males to consume
less soy and to limit their weekly quota to 2—3 serves
and to avoid soymilk.
see
archives
Spa
Chakra Wellness Centre
The
Wharf
Woolloomooloo
Sydney
2011
02
93680888
|
