? about soy and omega-3s

A

AndreaL

Cathlete
1. I usually throw some soy protein powder into my smoothies when I make them, or sometimes make one with soymilk. I thought I was getting some benefits, but then read something somewhere (can't remember what it was or where), but it was saying soy was not so good. Anyone want to enlighten me? Should I buy more soy powder now that I'm out or forget it?

2. I know omega-3s are great. I don't like the fish that they are in. I can eat tuna about once a month. I noticed on a picture of Flaxseed capsules that it said omega-3s. Is this the same omega-3s that are in fish. Would it benefit me to take them?

Thanks!
Andrea
 
Or maybe it was evening primrose and flaxseed oils that make a good substitute. If I get a chance, I'll check into it.
 
Both flaxseed and evening primrose oils have omega-3s as a substitute for fish. If you use whole ground flaxseed you also get a lot of fiber, but to be fresh it must be eaten right away and the seeds need to be refrigerated or they get rancid.

I don't think soy is bad at all. Apparently too much isolated genisteins can suppress thyroid function.
 
Dr. Pamela Peeke describes the benefitsof soy in her book Fight Fat After Forty. Check out her web site. http://www.drpeeke.com/Default.asp

According to Peeke "Soy based products.. are rich in phytoestrogens, weak estrogens found in plants. They bind to estrogen receptors and block them so that the body's natural estrogens can't bind at those sites. They also reduce the amount of biologically actice estrogen, which can encourage fat storage in perimenopausal women."

I hope this helps you. I personally include some soy protein in my diet about 6 out of 7 days.

Judy
Live by the golden rule: treat others as yourself :)
 
To give you a view of the other side of soy, check out http://www.soyonlineservice.co.nz/

I personally won't use soy, from everything I've studied, it appears to have less benefits than it has good and is an inferior source of protein. But its a choice, like everything else.
 
Hi Andrea,

Funnily enough, I have just been reading a book about 'Vital Oils' in the diet, and it recommended Flax Oil & Evening Primrose as substitutes to Fish Oil if you are a vegetarian. So there you go, I don't like fish all that much, so I sympathise.
According to this book, increasing Omega-3's and Omega-6, you can counteract all sorts of things, like depression, pms, eczema, cancer, arthritis etc, etc. I have learnt such a lot from reading about these oils, it is a facinating subject !!!!!

Anna :)
 
Hmmm...looks like I'm gonna have to do some research on soy. I do think I'll start taking one of the oils though. Thanks for all the info and links!

Andrea
 
Hi Andrea!

Since my diet is focused on plant proteins (I'd prefer to say that I'm semi-vegetarian but that has upset some people in the past) & since I'm in that fun perimenopausal stage, I pay attention to info on soy. It is a complete protein even though it is a plant protein (legume). Most nutritionists recommend it's use in moderation (about 25 grams day). Nearly all studies have been based on the use of soy foods (e.g. tofu) vs soy supplements (soy powder). Asian populations have a low incidence of breast cancer & heart disease which are attributed to soy in the diet, but those benefits might not be available unless it's part of lifetime eating. My female Dr. is the same age & she encourages it's consumption. It seems like there's still a lot to be learned, but I try to get soy protein every day & use soy milk or powder in my smoothies too. The advantage of the soy powder is that one can avoid the sugar in the soy milk.

The Mayoclinic.com & webmd.com are good resources.

Looks like you already got the scoop on Omega-3 fats. Actually you want Omega-3 & Omega-6 fats in your diet. Canola oil isn't as trendy as flaxseed but it's also a source of Omega-3 fats.

So are you waiting for DVD's too?

Debra
 
I have to agree. Soy is a wonder food, IMHO.

Peri-menopausal as well and it helps out considerably.

Plus, my husband is Asian and for almost 50, that man is healthy as a horse. One of the sad side effects of a heavy soy diet is the lack of calcium in the diet. It is sufficient up until a certain age. But since we are living longer, arthritis is setting in and we need to be more concerned with calcium levels.
 
If you don't want to use soy or not use it every day I've found brown rice protein powder to be very good. Taste good, adds protein and you can alternate or replace soy with it.

Soy has done me nothing but good so far, but, that doesn't mean it's for everyone.

Edith
 
Debra

Yes, I'm waiting on the DVDs too!

Thanks for the info on canola oil! That's all I use in my cooking, baking, etc. Makes me feel a little better.

I have to wonder if it's not only the soy in the Asian diet, but their diet as a whole that attributes to these things.

Andrea
 
AndreaL

There are other health concerns with their diets. Believe me ... I couldn't eat their diet, it is so different from mine and I did try for years. I just couldn't do it. I'm talking about the authentic stuff. I have so many stories that I could share. I will never forget the fish soup. ICKY!

Their diet is very high in carbs, veggies, rice, noodles, nuts and seeds (that’s where the soy comes into play), fruits, and very high in seafood. My husband doesn't drink too much soymilk, or eat too much soy yogurt, but he will chow on green soybeans, raw soybeans, and soy sprouts. For milk and such, it's coconut milk and other sweet milks.

Therefore now he is suffering high cholesterol from all the seafood, sweet milks, and the American junk food that he's become accustom to eating.
 
Hi Debra,

Don't you get a choice of Soya Milk in the US ? We get a choice of Unsweetned and Sweetned in the UK.

Anna :)
 
Hi Andrea,

The book I am reading at the moment also stresses not to use Soya Oil in cooking but go for Olive instead.

Anna :)
 
RE: Debra

Re: Soy and omega 3s.
I have also read that whole soy foods (tofu, soy milk, tempeh, etc.) are better than isolated soy protein.

As for omega 3s, someone stated that they are found in canola oil. From what I understand, and have read, this isn't true. Canola oil, as well as some other oils, contain omega 6s, which many experts are saying we get too much of vs. omega 3s. Flax or hemp are good sources of omega 3s. I've also discovered another good non-fish source of omegas 3s. veganessentials.com sells a supplement called "Omega Zen" which gets its omega 3 content from marine microalgae. The first version of the supplement tasted a bit fishy (either fish get their odor from microalgae, or vice versa?), but there's a new formulation now that doesn't have the fishy aftertaste.
 
Hi Keta!

So, I guess no diet is perfect...we just try our best. I'm thinking maybe I'll stick some soymilk in my smoothies now and then and forget the powder. It's so danged expensive! Plus it alters the smoothie taste to where I have to add sugar anyway.

Where can I read more about Omega-6? I had never heard of it.

Andrea
 
Oops!

It was Debra that mentioned Omega-6.

I would love it if SNM would switch over to a forum like VF. It's so much easier to keep things straight!

Andrea
 
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