Carol Lawson: Dangers of Soy

Good Afternoon,

I saw your article about Chris & Tal's Better Foods in the Toronto Star. (Their burgers, meatballs, sausages and ground are made from half soy.) Were you aware that breast cancer patients who have estrogen-positive cancer are not to eat soy as it has a high level of estrogen that makes the cancer grow. As a breast cancer survivor, I do do not believe that soy is the wonder food that it has been proclaimed to be. More people need to be made aware of its side effects. With breast cancer rates growing in leaps and bounds and the most common form of breast cancer (being) estrogen positive, we need to re-think the merits of soy. I read every label and avoid foods with soy.

These gentlemen may be wonder people in their business but I do not agree with the running of an article that has negative health risks.

Carol Lawson

Comments

[Tal]

Carol,

Thank you for posting your views regarding soy. I believe it is important to note that soy, like many other foods, may be a great health choice for the vast majority of the population, but may not be suitable for certain individuals with specific health conditions.

For example, pasta and bread, in moderation, may be part of a healthy diet for an average person. However the same pasta and bread may trigger health issues for a diabetic if consumed regularly without consideration for impact on insulin levels. I believe this is a similar situation.

As for our products, we combine meat and soy together to deliver a balance of great taste and great health. Specifically, our products have at least half the fat, calories and cholesterol of traditional meat products. Given the rising number of health issues associated with obesity in North America, our products fulfill an important health and dietary need. Our approach provides customers with an option that delivers the familiar and great taste of traditional meat products, but with significant health advantages. The products deliver the rapidly absorbed heme iron found in animal products (and B12) as well as both animal and plant proteins (both animal and soy proteins are “complete proteins”).

Additionally, soy has been identified in many studies as having heart protective properties. In particular, the Food and Drug Administration in the US has approved a health claim stating that "25 grams of soy protein a day, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease".

I can appreciate your concern and understand your viewpoint. I just believe that in this case the concerns you raise are person specific rather than widely applicable to the broader population.

All the best - Tal

Judy Steed here: I appreciate Tal's point. If you've got celiac disease, you should not eat wheat. There are many similar examples of people with specific conditions that require them to avoid certain foods.
Women should not drink colas. All types contain phosphorous that impacts negatively on bone density and contributes to osteoporosis. Probably no one should eat chips and French fries.
Also, Chris & Tal's beef-soy burgers are not to be eaten every day.
However, Carol's right -- for her needs, no soy, reduced fats, lots of exercise.