The humble soybean, a staple of

Asian cuisine for centuries, has made

Significant advances among the health conscious

consumers in the West.

Soy food products also form the

nutritional basis for many

vegetarians who have ethics

qualms about eating meat or what

they simply want to spiritualize the body.

Soybeans are a nutrient-rich food that contains all the essential elements

amino acids required by our body, making it a complete

protein. Soy foods are high in fiber with no cholesterol.

In addition to the many vitamins and minerals, soy foods also

contain phytochemical compounds (such as isoflavones) that

have been linked to numerous health benefits.

In particular, soy isoflavones lower LDL (bad) cholesterol.

and decrease blood clotting, which decreases the risk of

myocardial infarction and stroke. Research at the University of Illinois

suggests that soy consumption may help prevent two of the

major complications faced by people with type 2 diabetes (kidney

diseases and heart disease). Soy foods are thought to

improve the body’s ability to retain and absorb calcium in the

bones, helping to prevent osteoporosis.

One of the popular uses of soy foods and supplements in

recent years is the relief of menopausal symptoms. Tea

isoflavones in soy can help regulate estrogen when this hormone

is fluctuating and decreasing. There are reports that soy

it can also lessen the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.

Soy-based foods have been extremely

Useful for people with lactose intolerance.

Lactose intolerance results from

the body’s inability to digest a sugar

called lactose which is present in milk and

dairy products. The American diet

Association estimates that between thirty

and fifty million americans are lactose

intolerant. Symptoms of this common

include abdominal gas, bloating,

stomach cramps and diarrhea. from soy

does not contain lactose, soy-based dairy

Substitutes prevent these digestive upsets

problems.

soy questions

The soyfood bandwagon has bottomed out

a couple of bumps lately. Research

at the University of Illinois suggests that

the well-documented health benefits of

soy consumption in Asian cultures may

be largely lost by processing techniques

used in the west.

In particular, the cancer-fighting qualities

soy may not only be absent in

Western soy-based foods and supplements,

but highly processed soy products can actually stimulate growth

of pre-existing estrogen-dependent breast

tumors. The disturbing research was carried out

in mice and is therefore inconclusive

with respect to humans.

Previous research by a team of Dutch

The scientists also highlighted the differences

between highly processed soy foods and

more natural soy diet foods that are

traditionally consumed in Asia. Tea

The Dutch study did not go so far as to suggest

that processed soy products could be

a risk factor for tumor growth.

Edgar Cayce on soy

Edgar Cayce discussed soy-based

foods in fifteen readings given for individuals

of all ages. The readings say

that soy is the best substitute for meat

(257-252).

One of the highlights in this

reading group is the importance of

each individual’s response to himself. For

example, when asked if a thirteen-year-old

the girl should drink soy milk and

not cow’s milk, Cayce stated that this

must be governed by the child himself

appetite. He pointed out that sometimes soy milk

“it doesn’t work well with other influences.”

He went on to say that if

it was a desire for soy milk in preference

to cow’s milk, the system would balance

out (1206-9).

A nine-year-old girl was told that soy

milk was not preferable to cow’s milk.

Follow-up readings one and two years

later they were more favorable towards themselves

milk, finally stating that drinking soy

milk “some of the time we find it is excellent”.

(1179-7) Perhaps the girl’s digestive

the system had changed during that

time to better assimilate soy

Milk. The theme of individuality was

also present in readings for an eight year old

child who was told that, “This is why

body, it would be very good” to replace

soy milk for cow’s milk (1188-7, italics

additional). Two other readings for children

(2153-2 and 1206-11) recommended

soy milk.

A couple of curious readings for adults

suggest another peculiar aspect of oneself

Digestion of food related to lifestyle. HAS

forty-eight-year-old woman struggling with menopause asked if she should drink

soy milk. Cayce responded, “This

It depends a lot on the activities of the

Body. If there are enough energy

used for physical activities to do

even easier to assimilate, okay.

If these energies are used for activities

that are more mental than physical, it is

wouldn’t be so nice.” (1158-18) Clearly,

this reading may be relevant for women

considering soy products for relief of

menopausal symptoms.

A similar feeling was present in

reading 340-31 given for forty-seven years-

old woman who asked if she

you should alternate the soy bread with

integral. Cayce replied, “I’m Bean

bread is healthy for certain characters

and conditions; as long as the body is

being outdoors, very active, fiery

or dictatorial, then eat soy bread!

But if it’s to stay inside, with more

of normal temperamental reactions,

leave it!” This woman had a long

problem with “spastic colitis”

which we now call irritable bowel syndrome.

These last two examples suggest that

being physically active can be essential

for the correct assimilation of soy foods

for some individuals.

If you include soy foods in your diet

makes sense to you, here’s some soy

options you can consider:

• Choose natural soy products that are processed as little as possible.
• Pay attention to your body’s individual response to soy foods.
• Include soy as part of a broadly balanced diet with an emphasis on fruits and vegetables.
• Make outdoor exercise as much a part of your lifestyle as is reasonably possible.