WATCH WHAT YOU READ THE TRUTH IS, SOY IS GOOD FOR YOU! According to Maureen Kennedy Salaman, President of the National Health Federation, even people who should know better have been jumping on the conventional medicine bandwagon to blast soy products. Numerous websites warn that soy products which are very popular contain chemicals, toxins, and growth inhibitors - but when you do research on these so-called dangers, you discover that every negative assumption is based on a healthy truth. And therein lies the problem. One of the arguments against soybeans is the allegation that the phytic acid in soybeans also called phytates blocks the absorption of minerals in the intestine. Although phytates do bind with minerals, they do so in order to stop free radicals and keep the minerals at safe levels in the body. Phytates shield us from dangerously high levels of iron. In some animal studies it has been shown that phytates even stop the growth of cancerous tumors. Phytates are found in foods high in fiber. Since fiber rich foods protect against colon and breast cancers, it is now thought they are the protective agent in fiber. It appears that binding minerals in the intestines that phytates inhibit the cancer process, especially when it comes to iron. Iron generates free radicals and phytates act as an antioxidant. Excessive iron is also known to increase the risk of heart disease. Even a small amount of phytates in food can reduce iron absorption by half; but the effect is less marked if a meal is supplemented with ascorbic acid, which can also help in the absorption of zinc and calcium. Phytates are also known to help prevent cancer by building the immune system. By working directly to control cell growth, pyhtates may be an ideal protective agent against a wide range of cancers. Fiber, along with its associated phytates, also provide benefits by regulating the absorption of glucose from starch. Soybeans are unique among plants foods in supplying all of the essential amino acids that the human body needs. In addition soy contains genistein and daidzein, plant hormones that seem able to either mimic or counter the effects of estrogen. A Harvard study states that soy products are associated with fewer hot flashes and because soy isoflavones-bioflavonoids have certain estrogenic effects, women and researchers have looked to soy as a possible hormone replacement therapy. The same study also showed an increase in bone-mineral content and density after postmenopausal women took an isoflavinoid rich soy preparation. Another published study claimed that 'soys estrogenic effects are associated with elevated rates of breast cancer'. The authors claim was based on a study of women with 'estrogen receptive positive' cells. This means they were already sensitive to estrogen. Its like giving milk to someone who is lactose intolerant then proclaiming milk to be harmful. Another interesting fact is that soy isoflavones resemble tamoxifen, already used for breast cancer prevention but is a much healthier alternative. One of the most nefarious claims about soy is that infants of both sexes who are fed soy milk MAY later develop hormonal abnormalities such as early menstruation or delayed male genital development. This has just not been shown to be true in any study. In one study on osteoporosis, post-menopausal women showed an increase in bone-mineral content and density in the lumbar spine after taking an isoflavone rich soy preparation. But rather than highlight the truth, the authors of one study chose to emphasize the fact that there was no increase in the thigh bone. Six months is too short a period of time to see results using food products. Eating 25 grams of soy protein a day has been shown to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease - according to the FDA (and you know how conservative they are) Vegetarians have long used soy protein as meat substitutes because soybeans offer all the amino acids essential to human nutrition something other beans and plants do not. So enjoy Soy! Drink it, eat it, snack on it, cook with it - and profit from its many wonderful properties.

WOW!! Guess I know what I'll be reading for the next few days. Thanks for the list! Danielle

Recipe_cook that's another great link! Despite my OT snarky blue/green rivalry comments, this post really has brought back a lot of memories. I think that author is so right about how those old cookbooks are a window into so many things about the culture of the times. I really love old woodburners, I wish I could have one of my own. REALLY a pain to bake in though. But so wonderful for making soups and stews in a cast iron pot "on the back burner." It was an incredible feat to turn out something light and delicate on those touchy ovens. That's where I started my love affair with soup and hash, lol! I usually did the woodstove demos in March, during a Sugarbush, so I couldn't crank up the heat enough on the thing! I made some great meals though, and at the end of the day all the volunteers from the Sugarbush would eat all the demos! I made venison stew, pork chops marinated in maple syrup, maple pecan bars, maple oatmeal cookies, maple pecan pie, maple baked beans, maple glazed carrots. Also some non-maple things like coleslaw and cornbread. Maple apple muffins were good too. I had young girl volunteers helping me, we all were dressed like Laura Ingalls Wilder. They loved it! All the old implements were a riot too!!

wow, this is unbelievable! I was looking for help finding some form of natural or herbal HRT. I am 54, done with all the horrible symptoms that come with the end of periods. I have Crohn's disease and had surgery to remove the last of my colon last September. Since my surgery I dehydrate very easily, my skin is very dry and I drink mostly water and lots of it. I thought all of this was the cause of the dryness problem with my vaginal area internally and externally. I am married and sex has become so painful and sometimes not even possible. My GYN put me on Premarin creme and I do not always remember to use it right before bed, every other night. I know you would think I would remember THAT right? The problem is 1st I am kinda scared of the whole "hormone treatment" thing because of cancer. My immune system is practically non-exsistent. 2ndly my Crohn's keeps me busy with medicating myself to prevent constant diarrhea, bloating, etc. The wrong combination of prevention meds or the wrong diet choice and I am constipated and bloated or having to run to the bathroom constently. Talk about having too much on your plate...the LAST thing I want or need is for my sex life to be screwed up! My poor Husband has enought to deal with just being married to me all these years. He is Amazing, always supportive, loving, understanding and eqivalent to a private nurse when I am "sick" AGAIN. He deserves some serious consideration, lol. Anyway, I get in this site and see the "vaginal Atrophy" comment and think...could it be? I find out it is NOT just me or my dehydration issues, I am having the same problems you are all. The Premarin creme has softened things up some and sex is sometimes possible but I am going to call my GYN tomorrow and ask about the ESTRING. I have been using moisterizing lotions and cremes on the external vaginal area just to relieve the dry, itchy, painful skin so I can walk and not cry all the time from the misery of it. Seriously. Thank God I stumbled in here, Thank you all for opening up and discussing this issue so I could find out not only What is wrong but maybe What to do about it! And Thank God for the good things the internet makes possible.