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Soybean Products A Recipe for Disaster? Soybean Products for Recipe Disaster? Numerous studies show that soybean- based products are not as healthy for us as we'd like to believe. udden infant death is not so sudden at all. As I argue in my book (co-written with Lendon Smith, MD), crib (or cot) death is neither random nor sudden, and the caus- es are known. Preventive techniques have been known and used with 100 per cent success for 40 years, and many studies have been published. This book has been written with new mothers in mind, and the benefits of breastfeeding are emphasised throughout. However, the fact is that some babies will not be breastfed. So, it is appropriate here to suggest alternative, healthy formulas for feeding these babies, and also to raise some of the problems associated with various types of commercial for- mulas. Indeed, this information is relevant to the good health and well-being of us all, so we would do well to take it on board. Concerning formula for babies who are not being nursed, important information is pro- vided by Sally W. Fallon, M.A., and Mary G. Enig, Ph.D., in Health Freedom News, September 1995 issue. Sally Fallon has extensively studied genuine versions of native cooking methods. Dr Enig, associated with the University of Maryland, is regarded as the greatest American authority in the field of lipid chemistry, i.e., the chemistry of fats and oils. The following passages on soy products are drawn heavily from their important arti- cle, and are quoted with their permission.' "The soybean contains large quantities of a number of harmful substances. First among them are potent enzyme inhibitors which block the action of trypsin and other enzymes needed for protein digestion. These ‘anti-nutrients' are not completely deactivated during ordinary cooking and can produce serious gastric distress, reduced protein digestion and chronic deficiencies in amino acid uptake. In test animals, diets high in trypsin inhibitors cause enlargement and pathological conditions of the pancreas, including cancer.' "The food industry touts soy products for their cancer-preventing properties. Isoflavone aglycones are anticarcinogenic substances found in traditionally fermented soybean prod- ucts. However, in non-fermented soy products such as tofu and soy milk, these isoflavones are present in an altered form as beta glycoside conjugates, which have no anticarcinogenic effect.? Some researchers believe the rapid increase in liver and pancre- atic cancer in Africa is due to the introduction of soy products there.’ "While fermented soy products contain protein, vitamins, anticarcinogenic substances and important fatty acids, they can under no circumstances be called nutritionally com- plete. Like all pulses [members of the legume family], the soybean lacks the vital sulfur- containing amino acids cystine and methionine, which our bodies do not synthesise. These are usually supplied by rice and other grains in areas where the soybean is tradition- ally consumed. "Soy should never be considered as a substitute for animal products like meat or milk. Claims that fermented soy products like tempeh can be relied on as a source of vitamin B12, necessary for healthy blood and nervous system [and much more], have not been supported by scientific research."* Soy protein isolate is the main ingredient of soy-based infant formulas. That means, "the soy protein isolated from the carbohydrate and fatty acid components that naturally occur in the bean. Soybeans are first ground and subjected to high temperature and sol- vent extraction processes to remove the oils. The resultant defatted meal is then mixed with an alkaline solution and sugars in a separation process to remove fiber; then it is pre- cipitated and separated using an acid wash. "Finally, the resultant curds are neutralised in an alkaline solution and spray-dried at © by Joseph G. Hattersley From the forthcoming book Stopping Crib Death co-written with Dr Lendon Smith and due for publication 1997-98. Extracts originally published in Townsend Letter for Doctors & Patients May 1996 APRIL - MAY 1997 NEXUS - 19 INFANT FORMULAS IN "HOT WATER’ © by Joseph G. Hattersley