Soy milk is processed from soy beans through the use of varying manufacturing processes. You can find soy milk with a wide range of fat and protein content, with fat amounts generally ranging from 1-3%. In spite of the tremendous amount of positive press that soy in general seems to receive these days, there is some cause for concern among consumers, particularly when it comes to the consumption of soy milk.

During the past few years, the benefits of soy milk and soy foods have become widely debated. All it takes is a search online to discover some intelligent arguments and clinical studies concerning the potential health dangers that are present in the soy products that American families regularly consume.

While we certainly do not want to label ALL soy products as harmful or dangerous, it is only fair to present you with some essential data representing both sides of this discussion.

The Benefits of Soy Milk

Soy Milk is considered to be a nutritious alternative to cow’s milk for many reasons. First and foremost, soy milk is 100% Lactose-Free, meaning it is a great alternative to those whom suffer from lactose intolerance.

Soy milk may also provide you with beneficial protein, calcium and essential fatty acids, which we all need to live a healthy lifestyle. Soy milk is also low in saturated fat and sodium, but high in dietary fiber.

A recent study from the National Institute of Health & Nutrition in Japan, concludes that soy protein is effective at lowering your cholesterol, which ultimately lowers your overall risk of developing heart-related issues.

Another benefit of soy milk, is the fact that it does not contain a protein called casein, unlike cow’s milk. Casein is commonly used in many different products, ranging from medicine, foods, paints, and adhesives. It is not uncommon for people to develop an allergy to casein. Parents of autistic children need to be aware of products and foods containing casein, as it is widely believed that it can contribute to gastrointestinal disorders.

The Dangers of Soy Milk

Do the benefits of soy milk sound too good to be true? Well, recent research does indicate a few downsides to the consumption of soy foods.

Unfermented soy foods have a high amount of phytic acid, which can lead to the lower absorption of certain vitamins and minerals.

Soy contains a high level of phytoestrogen, which may affect the production of sperm in men, as well as decrease the amount of testoterone in their body. The isoflavones found in soy foods also contribute to the development of thyroid disorders, breast cancer and leukemia.

Another less thought of danger, is whether or not the soy you consume is organic. If possible, you should always avoid all genetically modified foods.

The Soy Isoflavone Controversy

Soy isoflavones, also known as phytoestrogens, are routinely marketed as treatments or prevention of certain types of cancer, including prostate, breast, and edometrium.

Part of the problem with the majority of the information that Americans are receiving is that the facts have been somewhat skewed.

For example, some reports have indicated that Asian diets are heavy in soy products, and that these soy-rich diets have resulted in reduced instances of cancers. This is misleading. Asian diets are actually quite low in soy consumption, with diets incorporating healthy amounts of poultry, eggs, fish, and meats.

The amounts of soy that are being placed in foods that Americans eat are exceeding the amounts that Asians consume in an entire day or week. The danger here is that excessive consumption of soy milk, or any other soy product, can lead to the development of many different diseases. For people who have chosen to focus on eating diets that are rich in soy-based products, this presents a very real problem. Unfortunately, many people are not aware that consuming too much soy can be hazardous to their health.

Soy Research & Product Labels

If you are a person who enjoys soy products, and you have incorporated them into your regular diet, you should understand the importance of reading product labels. It is important that you do this not only for those foods that claim to contain soy, but also on all of the food products that you buy. The reason for this is that there are many foods that contain some form of soy. The only way to be sure about this, however, is to read your labels!

The best advice is to research the types of food you eat so that you can make educated decisions about whether or not they are good for you and your family. Try to stick to organic, unprocessed foods as much as possible, and always be aware of the ingredients you are consuming. Genetically Modified Foods are something that you need to steer clear of when at all possible, and unfortunately soy is a primary component in many of these types of food products.

A healthy, lactose-free alternative to soy milk, is hemp milk.

With the rise in demand for healthier natural and organic products, suppliers are scrambling to meet consumers’ needs. Many people are making shift in their daily routines, from diet to alternative transportation. Organic living is an amazing way to do right by yourself and your planet. However, the full benefit of living organic isn’t attained by many, as the availability and prices often hinders the overall goal.

Changing our habits is a difficult task, but doing something new for thirty days helps to solidify the habit in our mind. Additionally, this is an appropriate amount of time to see real changes occur in our lives, reaching beyond the honeymoon phase or placebo effect sudden shifts in lifestyle seem to create. Try living a fully organic lifestyle for 30 days, by changing these 5 key areas of your diet and recreation. You will certainly see and feel a difference in a variety of ways.

Dairy Products

Switching to organic dairy products reduces the amount of hormones and preservatives you take into your body. Why put processed oil and byproducts into your body when can have real milk and cheeses without all of the extra harmful additives. The cattle that produce these products are also not harm by overloading them with unnatural hormones simply to boost production.

Organic Meat

Living organic doesn’t mean you have to become a vegetarian. If you must eat meat, buy organic. As with the dairy products, hormones are not used to plump up the livestock, and the animals are fed organic grains and grasses, not anything unnatural or chemical-laden. Many great organic meats are available at a variety of chains and local markets around the country.

Organic Produce

Organic fruits and vegetable are available now more than ever in supermarkets around the country. These staples of our daily diet are grown without harmful pesticides and fertilizers, and the growers of these products are committed to sustainable growing practices. Help make a difference in your own health and the health of Mother Earth by supporting these companies and individuals.

Organic Packaged Products

If you are trying to make excuses as to why you can’t witch to organic products, it’s no use. Many pre-packaged snacks and other products are now available in organic versions in stores across the country. Even frozen organic vegetables are available as alternatives when you can’t find the fresh produce in your stores. Look around for organic potato chips, nutrition bars, and juices, among many other things.

Organic Beer and Wine

Thought we had missed out on this one? Unwind at the end of the day or week with a bottled of organic wine or beer. Made from 100% organic ingredients and environmentally sensitive bottling and sealing practices, these beverages are made to taste great, all while keeping any extraneous chemicals from getting into your body in the process.

This post was contributed by Kelly Kilpatrick, who writes on the subject of nursing schools online. She invites your feedback at kellykilpatrick24 at gmail dot com.

A new study out of the University of California at San Francisco, and published in the American Journal of Epidemiology has shown that in eating a diet that is high in fiber rich foods and whole grains, a person has the chance to lower their risk of pancreatic cancer.

Each year in the United States of America, over 37,000 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and just over 34,000 people die from it. In Europe, that number is even higher, with 60,000 people diagnosed each year. Pancreatic cancer is a malignant tumor of the pancreas, an organ in the digestive system.

“There is a possibility that diet can affect one’s risk of pancreatic, as well as other cancers,” researcher June M. Chan said, “and that eating a diet rich in a wide variety of grains is likely to not only help in the prevention of diabetes and heart disease, but also this very deadly cancer.”

University of California researchers examined the grain intake of 2,233 San Franciscans, who were relatively similar in age, body weight and gender distribution. However of the number, 532 had already been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and were also detailed as being more likely to be smokers.

In their research they found that those they surveyed who ate two or more servings of whole grains per day were 40% less likely to suffer from pancreatic cancer, than those who ate less than two servings per day. Likewise, but focusing more on fiber, they found that those who ate 26.5 grams or more fiber daily were 35% less likely of contracting pancreatic cancer.

Whole grains are cereal grains that retain their levels of bran, germ and endosperm, compared to refined grains which only retain the latter. Spend any amount of time in front of a television, and you will no doubt be told that eating a healthy breakfast of bran is good for your digestive track and healthy living.

In fact, you will probably have already encountered health advice along these lines. Eating whole-wheat bread or brown rice, compared to their “white” relatives, is good advice, to say the least.

The researchers believe that there seems to be a fundamental misunderstanding of what is good and bad for you. They found that those who ate two or more servings per week of donuts or cooked breakfast cereals, were more likely to contract pancreatic cancer than those who ate less than one serving per month. They speculate that many are simply unable to distinguish between the above mentioned whole grain and refined grain breakfast cereals. Subsequently, this misunderstanding could be a clue as to why their findings appeared as they did.

“The risk reductions associated with some whole grain foods and fiber provide general support for the hypothesis that whole grains are better than more refined and sweetened grains for pancreatic cancer prevention,” Chan said.

Other Foods High in Fiber

Whole grains are a great source for fiber, but there are many other foods that you can implement into your diet to provide you with beneficial fiber. Fruits and vegetables are a great source of fiber. The skins of apples, and many other fruits, contain a large amount of fiber. Nuts like almonds, pecans and cashews are full of fiber, as well as many essential fatty acids & Omega-3’s.

Related Articles

Dieting can be such a struggle. Many people think that in order to lose weight, they need to stop eating. And while it is important to cut back on sweets and other high calorie foods, it’s just as important to eat more of the foods that promote weight loss. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

1. Organic Citrus Fruits:

Citrus fruits, like oranges, lemons, grapefruit, tangerines, and limes are foods that promote weight loss as they contain high concentrations of vitamin C, or ascorbic acid. This vitamin is an excellent fat burner. Vitamin C reduces the effectiveness of fat by reducing it content and liquefying or diluting fat. Vitamin C also helps to reduce the levels of harmful cholesterol in the blood. Boost the vitamin C in your diet by adding one or two citrus fruits to your diet every day. This will not only help you break down fat, it will also help reduce your cholesterol level.

2. Whole Grains:

Whole grains are high in fiber have a low glycemic index. This means that they raise blood sugar levels relatively slowly after eating. Foods with a low glycemic index can help curb the appetite and help you to feel full for longer. Whole grain foods that promote weight loss include whole wheat bread, fortified whole grain cereal, and brown rice.

3. Organic Non-GMO Soybeans:

Soybeans contain a chemical called lecithin that can shield your cells from accumulating fat. Lecithin prevents fat from forming on your cells and breaks down fat before it can accumulate in your body. Try adding soybeans to your diet once or twice a week. You can find soybeans at most health food stores or even in the frozen foods section of your local market.

4. Organic Apples & Berries:

Apples and many berries promote weight loss because they contain large amounts of pectin. This chemical is found in the cell walls of these fruits. When it enters the body, it helps to limit the amount of fat that the cells can absorb. Pectin is a soluble fiber that provides bulk and digests slowly, helping you to feel full.

Pectin also has a water binding property that allows it to absorb watery substances and carry them directly to the cells. These watery substances then bombard the cells and cause them to release fat deposits. You can get more pectin in your diet by eating loads of fresh apples and berries as well as applesauce. You can also try starting your day with a homemade smoothie that includes apples and berries to get your day started right.

5. Organic Garlic:

Garlic oil helps to protect the cells from the accumulation of fatty deposits. Garlic is also has a potent antibiotic that can be used to strengthen the immune system. You can add garlic as a flavor enhancer to a wide variety of foods that you normally eat.

6. Organic Black Beans:

Like most legumes, black beans are low in fat and packed with fiber. Black beans actually contain 15 grams of fiber per cup. This fiber fills you up and takes longer to digest so you feel fuller longer, which means you are less likely to snack.

7. Spicy Foods:

Many spicy foods, such as peppers, contain a chemical called capsaicin. Capsaicin has been shown to increase your body’s ability to burn fat and curb your appetite.

There are many foods that promote weight loss by filling you up so you feel satisfied, regulating your blood sugar levels, and stimulating your metabolism to help you burn fat. Boost your intake of these foods and you’ll have a better chance of losing the weight you need to lose.

Along with a healthy weight loss plan rich in foods that will help your body to shed excess fat more quickly, you may want to consider a weight loss supplement to give yourself an extra edge.